Trailer tent maintenance and storage

  Trailer tents and folding campers: the ultimate guide

A trailer tent or folding camper is a big investment so it's important to look after it well to ensure that it provides you with many years of happy holidays.

Here's how to keep your trailer tent or folding camper in good condition and where to store it when it's not in use

# Do I need to have my trailer tent serviced regularly?

It’s a good idea to have your tent serviced every year – especially if you have purchased a state of the art model with gas, electrical and water services included.

These will all benefit from an annual inspection carried out by a professional and if the trailer is covered by a warranty may be a condition of the policy.

For older trailers, keep an eye on the tyres and check they are properly inflated before setting off anywhere.

They need the same 1.6mm tread depth as your car, but the tyrewalls are much more likely to wear out before the tread depth gets critical. If you see cracking or bulging here, have them changed.

The hydraulics, hitch, axles and lighting should also be checked at regular intervals and if your trailer has brakes, these should also be inspected and reset every 3,000 miles or so.

Check the canvas regularly for damage and if there are any tears or loose threads make sure they are repaired as soon as possible.

# How should I store my trailer tent or folding camper?

Trailer tents can be stored outside, but it’s essential to pack away the tent properly to avoid some of the problems associated with long term outdoor storage.

Make sure the tent fabric is thoroughly dry before you pack it away. If there’s any dampness – even from condensation build-up inside the tent - this could rot the inner and, in extreme cases, the outer.

The best prevention is to remove the inners and maybe give them a wash before drying on a washing line and re-attaching later. In the meantime, erect the tent and leave to dry outside – ideally on a warm, dry day with some of the vents wide open. Do the same with the awning.

Once you’re happy everything is bone dry, re-attach the inner, collapse the tent and make sure it’s all well folded before re-attaching the cover, and – as a belt and braces measure – firmly attaching a second loose tarpaulin with bungee cords.

If you have room, the inners and soft furnishings are best stored inside over the winter months to keep them aired and safe from mice who might fancy making their home in them!

If you do have a few feet to spare in you garage, an even better solution is to invest in the brackets which allow a lot of trailer tents to be stored on their side.

Another option is to put your trailer tent in a secure storage facility when it's not in use.

CaSSOA is the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association, an organisation that oversees some 500 secure storage sites across the UK.

Each site is independently assessed for security features, access and amenities, to make sure that they offer high levels of protection from theft. A bronze, silver or gold standard is then given, according to the level of protection and service provided.