Horse Trailer Care: Mid-season Deep Clean

Keeping the horse trailer clean isn't just for appearances, it is also good preventive maintenance.
Any removable items should come out for a deep clean 0:29. Roof vents collect a lot of dirt and debris 2:21. While they are out of the trailer, wash all the removable items separately 4:50. With the floor mats out, application of corrosion inhibitor to seams on aluminum floor panels is a good investment 6:30. On the exterior wash, washing the roof first is a good idea 8:28.

How frequently a "deep clean" is necessary depends in large part on how often the trailer is used. We have found that twice a year works well for us, with a summer mid season deep clean as shown in this video and one more at the end of year before parking trailer for the winter months.

On the subject of winter, in Ontario "winter" also means road salt and brine, which can be extremely damaging to trucks and trailers. Aluminum does not rust the way steel does but it does corrode. Every summer the truck and trailer receive an application of corrosion protection, Krown Rust Control is the brand we use. Mid season deep clean for the trailer is done when it gets its annual Krown treatment.

Cleaning a horse trailer thoroughly is basically a five step process:

Step 1 - mucking out. We keep shavings in trailer throughout the season, adding as required. Trailer is well sealed and shavings stay dry. When it is time for the major cleaning, all shavings (and the hay which inevitably becomes bedding) are removed.

Step 2 - disassembly. The more components you can remove from inside of trailer, the easier it will be to clean thoroughly. Of greatest importance is removal of floor mats. Even when floor is regularly cleaned curing use, dust, shavings and urine find their way between mats and floor. Damp shavings and urine in contact with floor for long periods of time can lead to corrosion. If your trailer has a tack room, don't forget those floor mats. Dirt and dust gets between those mats and the floor as well.

Step 3 - rinse and wash. A garden hose, soapy water and assortment of brushes are used here. A power washer can also be used and may get the job done a little faster, but be careful with the high pressure spray around decals and window screens. Wash all components that were removed during disassembly, it is surprising how much dust and residue accumulates on dividers, padding, and the mats. Roof vents are another item where a lot of dirt can gather. When cleaning the roof vents, move vent to each position so that no spots are missed. Let trailer dry before the next step, ideally at least overnight, possibly longer in cool weather.

Step 4 - reassembly. Before reinstalling floor mats, Krown protectant is applied with a spray can along floor panel seams and corner where wall and floor meet. This is an added bit of preventive maintenance to keep corrosion at bay. Once floor mats are in place, installation of all dividers and padding completes reassembly of trailer.

Step 5 is optional but really makes sense at this point - exterior wash. Garden hose, soap and brush are the tools of choice again. As with the interior, a power washer can be used, just be careful with the high pressure spray around decals, lettering and graphics. It is very easy to damage these if the spray gets too close or is applied at the wrong angle. Washing roof surface first may seem like overkill but any dirt that is on the roof will run down onto sides as soon as they are washed.

Polishing aluminum surfaces and waxing the painted portions of trailer are usually done at the "end of season" cleaning, and touched up in the spring.

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Видео Horse Trailer Care: Mid-season Deep Clean канала B & R's Northern Horse Journey