Spring has finally arrived in Canada, which means that mud season is officially here as well. Traditionally starting in late March and lasting as long as early June, mud season is that in-between time of year when the melting snow of winter and the rain of spring can mean a big muddy mess. Whether you are driving an RV or hauling a trailer tow, mud can make the entire spring season challenging. Below are several tips to protect your home away from home during mud season.
Equipment Every RVer Needs for Mud Season
Getting your RV or trailer tow stuck in the mud is a frustrating experience. The good news is you may be able to avoid it by making sure you pack mud season supplies before hitting the road to see more of Canada.
Traction mats are a must-have item to help free your tires from the mud when it becomes too thick and prevents your tires from gaining traction. As you know if you have ever gotten your car tires stuck in the mud, attempting to drive forward with tires stuck in the mud is futile and only makes your wheels spin more.
If the wheels to your RV or trailer tow do become lodged in mud, place a traction mat behind each one and shift the vehicle from park to drive. The added traction should propel the wheels forward out of the mud, and you can also use this piece of equipment if your tires ever become stuck in snow or sand.
Should this tip not free your wheels from the mud, make sure you have the phone number to roadside assistance handy and call for help. The company responding to your call may need to have its representatives hook your vehicle up to chains to loosen the mud and free your tires.
You will also need several items to keep people from tracking mud inside the RV and to keep its exterior as clean as possible. These items include:
- Boot scraper or outdoor shower head for people to wipe off their footwear before entering the RV.
- Outdoor rugs placed near your campsite to absorb some dirt and mud before people reach the boot scraper or outdoor shower head.
- Rug covers for the RV entrance are another way to prevent people from tracking the mud indoors.
- Placing a boot tray outside the RV gives people a place to remove their boots completely after cleaning them off as much as they can. Each person should have their own pair of slippers just inside the door of the RV since socks are likely to be quite dirty.
- Stepping blocks placed directly below the RV entrance helps people avoid stepping directly into mud as they exit and tracking that mud inside when they return to the RV.
How to Keep the Outside of Your RV Clean During Mud Season
You want to avoid waiting until you get home and running your RV or trailer tow through an RV wash because the accumulated mud will be difficult to remove at that point. Avoiding mud as much as you can and cleaning the exterior of your vehicle or trailer as often as possible are the most efficient ways to ensure it stays clean. Other tips include:
- Stay on well-paved roads during mud season to avoid your tires getting stuck or getting the exterior of the RV dirty.
- Use a hose to rinse your RV or trailer from top to bottom after each rainstorm. You will find yourself dealing with a lot of caked-on mud if you fail to do this, especially near the lower end of the RV or trailer.
- Try to park on a gravel or concrete pad if possible. If you have no choice but to park on grass, be sure to use a jack pad and place pieces of wood under each of the tires. Taking this step can prevent the wheels of the RV or trailer form sinking into the mud.
- Make sure your RV is completely clean before detailing it.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to Wayfarer Insurance Group if we can be of further assistance in your RV adventures.
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