10 Things You Shouldn’t Leave on the Trailer Bed
Leaving stuff out “just for now” turns into a problem fast when it sits baking on a trailer bed in full sun. Between the heat, the moisture, and the constant movement, that trailer turns into one of the roughest places you can stash your gear.
I’ve learned the hard way that some things just don’t belong there—no matter how convenient it feels in the moment.
Pressure Treated Lumber
Even though it’s treated, sitting directly on a hot trailer bed warps it fast—especially if moisture gets trapped under it. The heat accelerates the drying in some areas and leaves others soaked, leaving you with bent boards that won’t frame straight. Keep lumber stored off the metal if you care about how it turns out.
Power Tools
You might think they’re safe for a few hours, but any electric tool left on the trailer in the summer can cook its battery or fry internal wiring. Direct sun plus metal equals a mini oven. Keep your drills, saws, and anything with a motor off the bed and in the shade.
Buckets of Hardware
Nuts, bolts, screws—all of it heats up and rusts fast when exposed to the elements on a trailer bed. The condensation that builds up overnight adds to the problem. Keep hardware sealed up and stored somewhere dry, or you’ll be dealing with rusted threads and stuck bolts in no time.
Bags of Feed
Leaving animal feed on a trailer seems harmless—until you come back to a moldy, clumpy mess. Moisture gets trapped between the bag and the hot metal, and within hours, the feed starts breaking down. It also draws pests like crazy. Store it up and off the floor.
Garden Soil or Mulch
Plastic bags of soil or mulch can degrade when left out in the sun on metal. I’ve had bags burst open or melt into the trailer, which turns into a huge cleanup. Plus, the material inside bakes and gets compacted, making it hard to use later.
Paint or Sealant
Cans left in the sun can build pressure and pop open or explode. Even if they don’t, high heat ruins the contents. Latex paint gets chunky, and oil-based stuff starts separating. Don’t risk it—store it somewhere cool or at least shaded.
Fuel Containers
Gas cans or diesel jugs should never sit exposed on hot metal. The heat causes them to swell and vent fumes, which is both dangerous and wasteful. Plus, if it rains and they sit in standing water, rust starts forming fast around the spout.
Rubber Straps or Tie-Downs
Heat breaks down rubber quicker than you’d think. Those tie-downs left coiled on a trailer might look fine, but next time you stretch one, it’ll snap. Keep them stored off the bed and out of the elements if you don’t want to keep replacing them.
Tarps
Folded tarps left on a hot trailer bed tend to melt together or get stiff and brittle. Then when you need them, they tear like paper. You’re better off storing tarps rolled and up off the surface so they hold their shape and last longer.
Tools with Wood Handles
Shovels, rakes, or hammers with wood handles warp, dry out, and crack fast in that heat. Once the grain dries unevenly, the handle won’t hold together under pressure. Keep them under cover so you’re not surprised by a broken tool mid-project.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
