You pull the tarp off. The tires look… fine, probably. The lights worked last fall, as far as you can remember. And the trip is three weeks away, which feels like plenty of time to deal with anything that comes up.
That’s the optimism talking.
Every spring, we see RVs and travel trailers come through our DeKalb location with the same story: it sat all winter, the owner figured it was okay, and somewhere between DeKalb County and their first campsite, something made itself known. Usually at the worst possible time. Usually on a Friday.
A little pre-season attention goes a long way. Here’s what actually needs a look before you hook up and head out.
Tires
This is the one people underestimate most. A tire can look perfectly fine and still be a problem waiting to happen. Rubber degrades with age and UV exposure, not just use. If your trailer tires are more than five or six years old, have them inspected. Check the pressure, look for cracking in the sidewalls, and don’t assume last fall’s reading is still good after a winter in an unheated garage or driveway.
A blowout on a heavily loaded travel trailer isn’t just an inconvenience. It can cause real damage, real fast.
Brakes
If your trailer has brakes, they need attention. Brake components can corrode, seize, or wear out while just sitting, especially in northern Illinois winters where salt gets into everything and temperatures swing 60 degrees in a week. We’ll inspect the brake system, make sure everything is moving the way it should, and let you know if anything needs adjustment or replacement.
Wheel Bearings
These are easy to forget because they don’t announce a problem until the problem is serious. Wheel bearings should be repacked or inspected on a regular service schedule, and if yours haven’t been looked at in a while, now’s the time. The sound a failing wheel bearing makes at highway speed is one you won’t forget. Getting ahead of it is much cheaper than dealing with it after the fact.
Lights and Wiring
Wiring on trailers takes a beating from weather, road vibration, and storage. Before every season, run through all your lights: running lights, brake lights, turn signals, marker lights. Connections corrode and wires can get chewed by critters over the winter. Don’t find out your brake lights aren’t working because the person behind you did.
Hitch and Safety Connections
The hitch coupler, safety chains, and breakaway cable are worth a close look before every trip, not just annually. These are the connections keeping your trailer attached to your vehicle. Wear, corrosion, and improper engagement are all things we can catch before they become a problem on the road. And if you’re getting into towing for the first time or upgrading your setup, our DeKalb location can install a trailer hitch on your vehicle. We’ll make sure you have the right receiver class for what you’re pulling and that everything is mounted correctly. Better to get it right from the start than fix a bad setup after the fact.
What About the RV Itself?
If you’re bringing in a motorized RV rather than a tow-behind trailer, the same standard vehicle maintenance applies. Oil change, coolant, belts, hoses, battery, brakes. The difference is that an RV engine works harder than your daily driver, often with more weight and more stop-and-go loading. If it’s been sitting since fall, a pre-season check is time well spent.
A Note on DeKalb County Roads and Winters
We see a lot of RVs and trailers come through our DeKalb location in April and May. Northern Illinois winters are genuinely hard on towed equipment. The freeze-thaw cycles, the road salt, the temperature swings. Things that were fine in October don’t always come out of storage in the same condition. That’s not a criticism of anyone’s storage setup. It’s just what this climate does.
The good news is most of what we find is straightforward to address. It’s the finding it that matters.
We Handle RV and Trailer Service at Our DeKalb Location
At Bockman’s DeKalb location, we service RVs, campers, and travel trailers along with our full commercial and fleet work. Greg and the team know what to look for, and we’ll walk you through whatever we find.
Before you hook up and hit the road this season, let’s make sure the trip goes the way you planned.
Book your pre-season RV or trailer inspection and go into summer with a little less to worry about.
Book online → Schedule your service online
Or give us a call:
DeKalb: 112 Industrial Dr. | 815-754-4200
Sycamore: 2158 Oakland Dr. | 815-756-7413
About the Author
Jon Bockman has owned Bockman’s Auto, Truck & Tire since 1999, continuing what his father Charlie started in DeKalb County in 1964. Named NAPA Shop of the Year (from 18,000+ centers) and voted Best Auto Repair in Daily Chronicle Readers’ Choice 15 times. Two locations, 24 employees, one goal: treat every customer like a neighbor.