Winter Trailer Maintenance: A Servicing and Pre-Towing Checklist

To prepare a trailer for winter, check its tyres, wheels, lights, coupling and brakes, put right any faults and follow the manufacturer's storage instructions. Before towing it again, repeat the checks, even if it has barely been used.

Cold, wet weather and long periods standing still can expose problems that are easy to overlook. This trailer maintenance checklist explains what you can check yourself, how to prepare for winter storage and when to book a professional trailer service. Keep your trailer handbook handy, as pressures, settings and servicing requirements vary between models.

What should you check before towing a trailer in winter?

Start with a walk around the trailer before every journey. Give yourself enough time to deal with a fault rather than discovering it when you are ready to leave.

• Tyres and wheels: look for cuts, bulges, cracking and uneven wear. Check tyre pressures against the manufacturer's recommendation for the trailer and load. Wheel fixings must be secure and tightened to the specified torque.
• Lights and wiring: connect the trailer to the towing vehicle and check all lights. Inspect the plug and cable for damage, and make sure the lead cannot drag on the road.
• Coupling and safety connection: confirm that the coupling is correctly engaged. Check the breakaway cable or secondary coupling, where fitted, and attach it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Load and equipment: secure the load, ramps and doors. Raise and secure the jockey wheel, and make sure the lights, reflectors and number plate are clean and visible.

The DVSA trailer safety checklist explains the checks to make before setting off. These checks do not replace a workshop service. If a lamp or connector needs replacing, see our trailer lighting parts and check compatibility before ordering.

How do you prepare a trailer for winter storage?

Inspect it before putting it away

Make a note of any faults while they are fresh in your mind. A light that flickers, a brake that sticks or a damaged floor will still need attention when the trailer comes out of storage. Photograph anything you want a workshop to inspect and arrange repairs before the next towing date.

Clean it and let it dry

Remove loose equipment, mud and debris. Check the floor, ramps, doors, hinges and catches as you clean. Use cleaning methods suitable for the trailer's materials and finish, and avoid directing high-pressure water at electrical components or bearings. Let the trailer dry before covering it.

Choose a suitable storage position

Park on firm, suitable ground and follow the handbook's instructions for parking, support and protection. If you use a cover, choose one that fits securely and allows appropriate ventilation. Check the trailer periodically rather than leaving it untouched until spring.

Should you leave the trailer handbrake on during storage?

Follow the instructions for your trailer and braking system. Do not release the handbrake unless the trailer is safely secured against movement.

Brakes can stick during storage, particularly in winter. Knott's trailer maintenance handbook discusses storage precautions, including securing the wheels with chocks when the handbrake is released. This is not a universal instruction for every trailer or storage location. If you are unsure how to secure yours, ask the manufacturer or a trailer workshop before leaving it parked.

What should you check after a trailer has been stored?

Repeat your checks before the first journey. Do not assume a trailer is ready to tow because it was working when you parked it.

• Check tyre condition and pressure again.
• Test the lights with the towing vehicle connected.
• Inspect the coupling, safety connection and visible cables.
• Check the body, floor, ramps and catches for deterioration or damage.
• Look for signs that brakes are sticking or a wheel is not moving freely.

If the trailer resists movement, makes an unusual noise or has a suspected brake or bearing fault, stop and arrange an inspection. Do not try to free a binding brake by towing harder.

How often should a trailer be serviced?

Use the manufacturer's service schedule, taking account of how the trailer is used and its service history. Low mileage does not remove the need for maintenance, particularly when a trailer spends long periods outdoors or in storage.

The National Trailer and Towing Association's servicing guidance distinguishes routine checks from periodic servicing. Intensive use and demanding conditions can require more frequent attention. Boat trailers that enter the water also need particular care.

If you do not know when the trailer was last serviced, ask a workshop to assess it before regular use. Keep a record of the service date, repairs and replacement parts so the next inspection can be planned around its actual history.

What does a trailer service include?

The work depends on the trailer's design, age, condition and use. At Fieldfare, a trailer service can include checks of tyres, wheel bearings, brakes and cables, the coupling, suspension, lights and breakaway equipment, as applicable to the model.

Tell the workshop about any sticking brakes, unusual noises, intermittent lights or recent damage. A fault that comes and goes is still worth mentioning, even if everything appears normal on the day.

Our Trailer Servicing and Repairs page explains the workshop service available for braked and unbraked trailers.

Which trailer maintenance jobs should a workshop handle?

Owners can carry out routine visual checks and test the lights, but brake adjustment, hub and bearing work, coupling repairs and structural faults need the right knowledge, tools and specifications. If you cannot confidently identify a fault or confirm the correct procedure, arrange an inspection.

Our guide to when to replace trailer brake shoes explains signs that the braking system needs attention. Use the trailer and component details to identify replacement parts, rather than choosing by appearance alone.

How can you keep a trailer secure during winter storage?

Choose security equipment that fits the trailer and follow any conditions in your insurance policy. A wheel clamp or hitch lock must be compatible with the wheel or coupling it is intended to protect.

Read our guide to trailer wheel clamps and hitch locks for help comparing the options. Keep keys and identifying details somewhere safe, and check stored trailers regularly.

Winter trailer maintenance FAQs

Does a trailer need servicing if it is rarely used?

Yes. Low mileage does not prevent tyres, brakes, bearings or electrical connections from deteriorating, especially when a trailer is stored outside. Follow the manufacturer’s service schedule and arrange an inspection if its service history is unknown.

Should I service my trailer before winter storage or afterwards?

If a service is due or you have noticed a fault, arrange it before storage so the problem is dealt with before the next towing season. You should still repeat the safety checks after storage, and book an inspection if anything has deteriorated or is not working properly.

Can I tow a trailer straight after winter storage?

Only after checking that it is safe to use. Check the tyres, lights, coupling, safety connection and load security, and do not tow if the brakes are binding or you suspect a bearing fault. If you are unsure about its condition, arrange a workshop inspection before the journey.

What details do I need when booking a trailer service?

Have the trailer’s make, model and service history ready if you know them, and explain how it is used and any faults you have noticed. Photographs of the trailer, identification plate and damaged components can help the workshop understand what needs attention.

Book trailer servicing near Salisbury, Wiltshire

Fieldfare Trailer Centre provides servicing and repairs for braked and unbraked trailers near Salisbury, Wiltshire. Whether you are preparing for winter storage or getting ready to tow again, we can help you decide what needs checking.

Contact Fieldfare or call 01980 611853 to discuss a service. Have the make, model and service history ready if you know them, and mention any faults you have noticed.