Winter storage for trailers and equipment in Ottawa: a practical checklist
An Ottawa winter is hard on anything that sits outside. Road salt eats metal, cold kills batteries, water gets into fuel, and a trailer that freezes into the ground in December is still there in March. Outdoor storage works fine through winter if you prepare for it.
The short answer: before the first hard freeze, wash off salt and mud, fix leaks, grease everything, switch to winter-grade fluids and fuel, look after batteries and DEF, retract hydraulics and cover what needs covering. Plan your own snow removal, and park so you can still get out. Then check on everything after big storms and again before spring.
Before the first hard freeze
Clean it.
Pressure-wash salt, mud and debris off frames, undercarriages, decks and tracks
Rinse trailer brakes, springs and wiring connectors, then let everything dry
Clear leaves and dirt out of buckets, beds and stake pockets, where they hold moisture
Fix what's leaking.
Look for hydraulic, oil and coolant leaks. Small leaks get worse in the cold
Check hoses, seals and belts for cracks
Top up or change fluids to the cold-weather grades your manual calls for
Grease and protect.
Grease every fitting, including pins and bushings
Retract hydraulic cylinders where you can, and coat any exposed rods
Lube hitches, couplers, jacks and door hinges so they don't seize
Fuel, DEF and batteries
Fuel. Use winter-blend diesel, and store machines with the tank reasonably full to limit condensation. Follow your manual on additives.
DEF. Diesel exhaust fluid freezes at about -11°C. Most machines are designed to thaw it, but check your manufacturer's storage guidance, and don't overfill the tank before a deep freeze.
Batteries. Cold cuts battery capacity, and a partly discharged battery can freeze.
Fully charge batteries before storage
Disconnect them, or for long layups, remove them and store them somewhere above freezing
If your yard has power, a battery maintainer is worth it. Longyards offers optional power on select yards, so ask when you reserve
Don't forget the breakaway battery on trailers with electric brakes
Trailers specifically
Check wheel bearings, and repack them if they're due
Inflate tires to spec. Cold drops the pressure
Test lights and wiring, and put dielectric grease on the plug
Set the tongue jack on a board so it doesn't freeze into the ground
Lock it with a coupler lock plus a wheel boot. Winter nights are long and dark
Machines specifically
Lower buckets and blades to the ground, on blocking if the manual recommends it
Clean tracks and undercarriages so mud doesn't freeze solid
Follow the manual's long-storage steps, including whether to run the machine periodically
Use breathable covers on seats, controls and open cabs. Plastic tarps trap moisture
Park for snow
Where and how you park decides whether you can get out after a storm.
Face the exit, so you pull out instead of backing through a drift
Leave room between vehicles, and between vehicles and the fence, for snow to go
Don't park the thing you need first behind the things you don't
Keep a shovel and a broom in the truck for the gate side of your yard
Winter access: at Longyards Ottawa in Metcalfe, ON (Ottawa area), the gate is open 24/7 on your own code, but Longyards doesn't clear snow inside the yards. Guests handle their own snow, so plan your own snow removal and keep the access to your yard clear.
After big storms and during the thaw
Clear heavy snow off trailer roofs and covers
Check that covers haven't blown off and nothing is sitting in meltwater
Check hitches, steps and ladders for ice before anyone climbs
Before spring
Reconnect and test batteries
Check fluids, tire pressure and brakes before the first move
Wash off the winter's salt again
Plan heavy moves around seasonal load restrictions on rural roads. Check your municipality's reduced load period before you haul
What shouldn't spend the winter outdoors
A fenced yard keeps gear secure, but it doesn't keep it warm. Some things are better off indoors for the season:
Cordless tool batteries and chargers. Cold shortens their life. Bring them home or to a heated shop.
Electronics you can remove: GPS displays, tablets, grade-control screens and radios.
Anything water-based that can freeze and split: some paints, sealants, adhesives and admixtures.
Hoses and small pumps with water left in them. Drain them or take them in.
Anything hazardous, flammable or perishable. The rules at every Longyards facility are no hazardous, flammable or perishable items, and no chemical spills. Winter doesn't change that.
A good rule: if the manufacturer lists a minimum storage temperature, and an Ottawa January goes below it, it doesn't winter outside.
Why an outdoor yard works for Ottawa winters
Storing at home in winter means plows burying the trailer, a driveway you can't use, and gear sitting in the dark. Longyards Ottawa is a fenced, gated facility on Bank St with 24/7 access, security cameras and lighting, so your gear stays secure through the long nights.
See Longyards Ottawa for the facility, or compare yard sizes. Landscapers who switch to snow work can keep both sets of gear in one yard, and the facility also offers outdoor boat parking. For bigger machines and laydown needs, see heavy equipment laydown yards on longyards.com.
Book your winter yard before the snow does. Reserve online at Longyards or call (877) 566-4927. 6571 Bank St, Metcalfe, ON.
FAQ
Can I get to my yard at Longyards Ottawa in winter?
Yes. Gate access is 24/7 on your own code, all year. Longyards doesn't clear snow inside the yards, so plan your own snow removal and keep your access clear.
Should I take the batteries out of stored equipment for winter?
For long layups, fully charge batteries and either disconnect them or store them somewhere above freezing. If your yard has power, a battery maintainer is a good alternative. Follow your manufacturer's guidance.
Does DEF freeze in an Ottawa winter?
Yes. Diesel exhaust fluid freezes at about -11°C. Most equipment is designed to thaw it, but follow your manufacturer's storage guidance.
Is power available at Longyards Ottawa?
Yes. Like every Longyards facility, Longyards Ottawa offers optional power on select yards. Ask when you reserve so we can match you to the right yard.
