Pop Up Trailer Storage Tips

• Pop up trailers feature a soft canvas or vinyl canopy that collapses for easier traveling, and can be extended when the camper is parked to add living space. Towing a pop up trailer is easier because of lower wind resistance and the lighter weight materials, but they can require more preparation and care when they must be stored over the winter or for any extended period of time.

Prevent Mold and Mildew

• Cleaning mold and mildew from the upholstery, canvas or porous materials in your pop up trailer is a difficult task. Mold and mildew can cause serious respiratory problems, so taking the time to properly clean and prevent their growth before you store your pop up trailer is key.

  The experts at "Pop Up Times" magazine recommend that you leave the refrigerator and cupboard doors open while the trailer is stored to prevent mold growth. Steam cleaning the upholstery and drapes inside the trailer will kill any mold spores present. The most important step to take before storing your trailer is to let it dry out as thoroughly as possible. Mold and mildew won't grow without moisture.

Take Care of the Tires

• Any vehicle that sits in one place for a long time will develop flat spots on its tires, and a pop up trailer is no exception. Covering the tires or removing them and placing them indoors will extend their life.

  The U.S. Department of Transportation says that worn out or under-inflated tires on a towing trailer, such as a pop up, will cause swaying and loss of control while the trailer is being pulled. Tire pressure often drops when a pop up sits in one place from the weight of the trailer. Removing the tires to store them will help prevent this loss of pressure.

Pack the Bedding

• Soft foam mattress and cushions make easy bedding for rodents and insects, and can harbor hidden spores that cause mold growth while the trailer is stored. Remove the bedding to store it indoors if possible, or seal it in plastic and keep it in the pop up trailer. If the pop up trailer is stored in a garage or other closed environment and pest repellents are used, this may not be required.

Apply Sealants

• Leaks quickly ruin a camping trip. The seams of the canvas or vinyl cover of your pop up trailer can become damaged by sunlight or weather. The "Pop Up Times" magazine recommends inspecting the seams on the roof and body of the trailer, as well as the seals around the doors and windows, for cracks before and after storing the unit. Replacement door and window gaskets can be found at most automobile supply shops, and will prevent moisture and insects from invading the trailer. The manufacturer can help you find the best liquid sealant for fixing loose or cracked seams in the canopy of the trailer.

Cover the Vents

• Covering all of the vents and other openings on your pop up trailer before storing it will prevent mice and insects from nesting in it. Cleaning up any food or beverage residue will also help, but some species of insects are simply looking for an opening to build a nest in and will enter any open vent, according to "Pop Up Times". Be sure to disconnect the natural gas lines inside the camper before closing the vents to prevent a dangerous build up of gas in case of a leak while it is in storage.