Storing utility trailer questions

[srs]

I have a 16 foot open utility trailer that I presently store inside my Morton building. I'm thinking of moving the trailer outside to give me more space inside and would appreciate any suggestions to protect the trailer against the elements. I'm not worried about anyone stealing the trailer. The trailer is in very good shape and I want to keep it that way. My first thought is that I should cover up the tires to protect them from the sun. I have some surface rust on the metal and the decking is worn some (trailer is approximately 10 years old). I'm mostly concerned about small animals making homes inside the trailer frame, eating the wiring, and of course weather affecting the brakes. Should I cover the trailer or would this encourage small animals to move in? Thanks for your help.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Keep it inside if you can. My trailer is 5 years old and looks like new. I actually made a rack above the trailer to store small items like my finish mower, plow, bush hog, ect. It was simple. Just used some joist hangers and some 4x4's for legs. 2x6's for cross braces and its plenty stout. You can also just put some of those items on the trailer and remove them when you need to use it. Not much work if you have a FEL on your tractor.

If you want to keep your trailer nice the only way to do so is keep it covered, keep the scratches touched up with paint, and get a barn cat to keep the mice away.

Chris

 

[radioman]

Diamond pilot is not kidding. I have no way of storing the 16ft trailer in a building so it sits outside against the elements. All the little scratches now have rust on them and i only had trailer for over 2 years now. the 8 footer trailer i have is steel and its my winter trailer (bad i know. i need aluminum one instead) and the 8 footer have alot of rust on it already after 10 years and one cross member needs to be replaced from the salt and rust eating away So if you can store it inside. otherwise at the very leasst cover the wheels. i used the harbor freight canvas wheel covers.

 

[ragkar]

Store it outside tilted - fore/aft - so the rain water runs off.

 

[zionview]

If you store it outside, put it up on blocks to get the tires off the ground.

 

[excelagator]

If you store it outside, put it up on blocks to get the tires off the ground.

Yup! I made some wood pads to keep the tires drier. I also keep the grass mowed where it is. That trailer is aluminum and stays outside year round uncovered. Covered your going to have problems with critters. I have a steel 16 foot car trailer that stays in the barn.

Dan

 

[LBrown59]

I have a 16 foot open utility trailer that I presently store inside my Morton building. I'm thinking of moving the trailer outside to give me more space inside and would appreciate any suggestions to protect the trailer against the elements. I'm not worried about anyone stealing the trailer. The trailer is in very good shape and I want to keep it that way. My first thought is that I should cover up the tires to protect them from the sun. I have some surface rust on the metal and the decking is worn some (trailer is approximately 10 years old). I'm mostly concerned about small animals making homes inside the trailer frame, eating the wiring, and of course weather affecting the brakes. Should I cover the trailer or would this encourage small animals to move in? Thanks for your help.

Build a lean to on the back of the building and park trailer under it.

 

[wushaw]

Cover the tires, keep the deck treated and keep the paint touched up. If you use your trailer often enough then brakes rusting up shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Eagleview]

Do you have enough roof clearance in your shed to stand it on its tailgate against the back wall . It would'nt be hard to do with the help of a boat trailer winch and a couple of pulleys and maybe a couple of pieces of pine to keep the tailgate and lights off the ground . once it was up , it would only need a safety strap around it to make it safe .

 

[unreconstructed]

I have spent too much already on a barn for my tractors and other motorized tools. Think I am going to build some lean-to's to keep sun and water off my trailers and have something other than dirt where the tires are. Even if I had the money to build barns for the trailers don't think I would just because of the property tax. Will see how bad the critter problem is with the lean -to.

 

[Sabretooth]

I live in NE Texas I feel your pain one thing they know how to do here is tax. What for I am not sure they really do not do anything took me 3 yrs a dozen calls and 3 or so letters to get someone out from the highway dept to fix the drainage and about 100ft of roadway that sunk because of it also Texas has among the highest dropout rate and kids not getting diplomas if they stay in school. I am thinking about another metal building like 35-40'W X 50-60'L and putting a camouflage tarp over it maybe they wont notice it.

 

[Ken45101]

Will see how bad the critter problem is with the lean -to.

I don't think the critter problem is any worse outside than inside.

I've thought about building a shed of some sort, but it would cost more than replacing the trailers in ten years. Even just a shed roof is expensive.

Actually I'm redecking one small trailer. It lasted ten years and the deck wasn't pressure treated in the first place.

Ken

 

[BeezFun]

I've put up 4 of these shelters, but I bought them at Menards for $275. At that price I can't even think about a building to store things like a tractor and trailer. The oldest tent I have is now 5 years old and it's just starting to show surface wear that is likely to preceed leaks. But worst case I buy another enclosure and use the existing frame with a new cover.