I am just starting the process to get a TT, and trying to gather as much information as possible. I plan on asking lots of questions over the next couple of months, but will split them out, so I don't overwhelm the message board. :)For this post, I wanted to ask about parking and storing the TT when not in use. I live on 5 acres of land, so I plan on keeping it at my house. However, I want to make sure I keep my TT looking and operating as good as possible. Do I need to have a concrete pad to park my TT on? I want the tires to last as long as possible and not dry rot like the tires on my utility trailer did. Would it help to buy tire covers?Any other suggestions you might have to help me keep my TT looking and operating as good as possible will be appreciated.ThanksTim

No need for a concrete pad. I use a couple of pieces of plywood to put the tires on. Tire covers may extend the life of your tires some if they are subjected to long periods of direct sunlight. You should replace your tires every 5 to 7 years regardless of visual appearance.

It doesn't matter where you park the camper, or what surface. The harder the surface, the better it is though for the tires. If parked on dirt, the tires could sink when the ground gets wet and soft, making it very difficult to pull the wheels out of the hole they sink into. Where as, concrete will never do that.If you are parking long term on a soft surface, lay some wood under the tires to keep them from sinking. Same is true on asphalt, especially in extremely hot weather. Asphalt will get soft and tires will cause it the asphalt to dimple. So, regardless of surface (maybe other than concrete), lay some lumber under the wheels and you will never go wrong.One thing to consider (you said you live on 5 acres), is wind. You need to park the camper, as much as possible, in the direction the wind blows mostly at your property. In my case, almost all the time, the wind comes out of the West to East. I keep my camper (trailer tongue end), facing West. If a camper is designed to take a head-on wind at 80 mph on the interstate, it can also take a 40 mph wind sitting still if it hit head on. However, if the wind blows against the side of the camper, even small wind, under all the right conditions, could blow the camper over. It doesn't happen very much, but it's possible. Facing directly into the wind helps eliminate any possibility of flipping over. For me, this is more important than the surface the tires rest on.About dry rot.... try as you may, if the tires are not actually rolling, they will dry rot over time. I keep tire covers on mine all the time, but I really don't know if it actually helps. I think an over-inflated or under-inflated tire is more of a threat to the tire life than sitting in the sun though. Still, covering, or blocking direct sun exposure does not hurt anything. FYI, we park our camper facing East - West, parked on Asphalt and I keep block under the stablizer jacks, but not under the tires. We use our camper all winter long, sleeping in it, and using it for extra bed room space, so we have it parked conveniently to get into the house and still in such a way it's protected as much as possible. We also never unplug it. And the refrigerator is turned off, only during the coldest of the winter months or if we are not actually using it (like January and February when it's often below zero degrees... too costly to heat it in those temperatures).Hope this helps.Good luck in your research and don't be shy asking questions.

If I had 5 acres, and no zoning restrictions, I'd add a trailer port (think car port, but bigger). You can have a ready made metal one put up, or have similar built on site. Protecting your TT from the sun, during non-use, is about the best thing you can do to keep it looking new.I have a concrete pad, use tire covers, and have RV electric hookup next to pad. Nope, FW port not allowed. :(Jerry

MFL wrote:If I had 5 acres, and no zoning restrictions, I'd add a trailer port (think car port, but bigger). You can have a ready made metal one put up, or have similar built on site. Protecting your TT from the sun, during non-use, is about the best thing you can do to keep it looking new.I have a concrete pad, use tire covers, and have RV electric hookup next to pad. Nope, FW port not allowed. :(JerryI definitely do not have any zoning restrictions where I live. I have actually thought about a cover to park it under. I am good friends with someone who does that professionally, so I could have it done for cost of materials + some cold adult beverages. Would just a top be sufficient, or would I need to plan on having the sides partially enclosed? If nothing else, it could protect it from hail damage.

X2 on some sort of trailer port.The more you can keep sun, rain, hail (the elements) from your trailer the better.If you are doing a trailer port, then a concrete pad might not be bad to do at the same time. Or asphalt or gravel. All are better than grass/soil.

Questions about TT when not in use | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 10, 2016
SoundGuy wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
I would NOT worry about wind blowing the trailer over in anything short of tornado/hurricane/microburst. Outside of extreme wind conditions, I've never heard of a trailer just falling over.

A couple of years ago on another forum an owner had his relatively new travel trailer parked on his driveway, a wind storm came through and pushed the trailer over on to it's side. :E His post was to question whether to expect just minor (repairable) damage or major structural damage ... as I recall the outcome was the latter and the insurance company wrote off the trailer. I saw the series of pics, just can't find the link now - unfortunate as they were quite impressive.

My response was in regard to the comment that "even a small wind" could flip the trailer.

I'm not saying it couldn't happen in an extreme storm but it's such a rare event I just let the insurance company deal with it if I won the wind lottery.

Now if a hurricane was bearing down and I could move the trailer to a more sheltered locations, that would be a different story but forecast of 10-15 out of the west and I'm not going to worry, they don't fall over that easy.
TBammer
Explorer
Nov 10, 2016
Just put in a small concrete pad for the tires, with room for a jack and jack stands, if needed. I think this is the minimal requirement.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Nov 10, 2016
MFL wrote:
If I had 5 acres, and no zoning restrictions, I'd add a trailer port (think car port, but bigger). You can have a ready made metal one put up, or have similar built on site. Protecting your TT from the sun, during non-use, is about the best thing you can do to keep it looking new.

Second this. Keeping sun and rain off the roof helps also. If you live in a snowy area, a good HD tarp on 2 sides would be good, but it would need a lot of tie downs to prevent the wind from ripping it to shreds.

Compacted gravel is a good base for parking. Remove top 4-6" of soil and expect to add 6-9" of gravel, compacted in 2 "lifts".

Keep grass cut short around this area to help minimize mice, etc.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Nov 10, 2016
tim1970 wrote:

I definitely do not have any zoning restrictions where I live. I have actually thought about a cover to park it under. I am good friends with someone who does that professionally, so I could have it done for cost of materials + some cold adult beverages. Would just a top be sufficient, or would I need to plan on having the sides partially enclosed? If nothing else, it could protect it from hail damage.
Well, in that case, make sure it is wide enough to allow you to put out the slides if any. Then make sure it is tall enough for a future (bigger) TT. Another very nice thing to have is 30 amp service so you can run the AC. Also, check around the perimeter of your house for a sewer cleanout. It would be a white pipe with a screw cap on it. You can rinse your tanks at home and dump the contents in it via a long hose or use a portable tank to go back and forth. Maybe partially cover both sides - or maybe just one side as a wind/sun barrier.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Nov 10, 2016
valhalla360 wrote:
I would NOT worry about wind blowing the trailer over in anything short of tornado/hurricane/microburst. Outside of extreme wind conditions, I've never heard of a trailer just falling over.

A couple of years ago on another forum an owner had his relatively new travel trailer parked on his driveway, a wind storm came through and pushed the trailer over on to it's side. :E His post was to question whether to expect just minor (repairable) damage or major structural damage ... as I recall the outcome was the latter and the insurance company wrote off the trailer. I saw the series of pics, just can't find the link now - unfortunate as they were quite impressive.
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 10, 2016
No worries about the surface except possibly sinking in if it's muddy ground.

Covers are nice but don't expect them to allow you to safely keep tires for 20yrs. The best thing for the tires is to use the rig.

If you can get it cheaply, some sort of carport would be great. Keeps some of the UV damage off the roof and buys you a bit of insurance if you develop a leak or get a tear in the roof. You can leave it parked and deal with it when you want to. Sides would be OK also but less important. If it's going to cost a lot and not add much to the property value, I would save that money and put it into keeping up the rig.

I would NOT worry about wind blowing the trailer over in anything short of tornado/hurricane/microburst. Outside of extreme wind conditions, I've never heard of a trailer just falling over.
NanciL
Explorer II
Nov 10, 2016
I have fifteen acres and keep mine under a trailer pole barn that my wife and I built just for it.
I have a gravel floor, but keep the tires on plywood.
I used treated 6" x 6"'s for the poles and saw mill lumber for the rest, with shingles over OSB for the roof
I left an opening for where the trailer door is and framed out an opening for around the dinette picture window to allow more light in during the day, since we have no electricity.

We cut all the lumber by hand except for that which I could cut in my shop.

We built it five years ago and it is amazing how clean the trailer roof along with the rest of it has stayed.

I think it is well worth it

Jack L
MFL
Nomad II
Nov 09, 2016
The top is most important, as it gives UV protection for rubber roof, plastic vents, and sealants. Yes, hail can cause expensive damage, but even water intrusion from UV cracked sealant can ruin a roof. Having a port will cut down roof maintenance.

Having the sun sides covered some will help for interior fading, as well as protect graphics, which fade, and crack quickly, in constant UV.

Jerry
dewey02
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2016
X2 on some sort of trailer port.
The more you can keep sun, rain, hail (the elements) from your trailer the better.
If you are doing a trailer port, then a concrete pad might not be bad to do at the same time. Or asphalt or gravel. All are better than grass/soil.
tim1970
Explorer
Nov 09, 2016
MFL wrote:
If I had 5 acres, and no zoning restrictions, I'd add a trailer port (think car port, but bigger). You can have a ready made metal one put up, or have similar built on site. Protecting your TT from the sun, during non-use, is about the best thing you can do to keep it looking new.

I have a concrete pad, use tire covers, and have RV electric hookup next to pad. Nope, FW port not allowed. :(

Jerry

I definitely do not have any zoning restrictions where I live. I have actually thought about a cover to park it under. I am good friends with someone who does that professionally, so I could have it done for cost of materials + some cold adult beverages. Would just a top be sufficient, or would I need to plan on having the sides partially enclosed? If nothing else, it could protect it from hail damage.