Preparing your caravan for winter storage?

Here you will find information to assist you in completing that task and although it is primarily aimed at caravan owners in the UK, many tips equally apply elsewhere. Also you will find guidance as to which caravan accessories you might also require.

General

Remove all clothes, bed linen and soft furnishings that could be affected by damp and clean caravan thoroughly inside and out.

Remove all food from the fridge and cupboards and leave doors slightly ajar to prevent musty odours. Spray WD40 on any piano hinges.

Securely close all windows and roof lights and use a maintenance spray to avoid sticking seals. Check fixed vents are not obstructed and consider using a dehumidifier to prevent damp occurring. Close all blinds and curtains for security.

Fit the chimney cowl with a cowl cover to prevent ingress of rain, sleet or snow.

Wheels & Chassis

Jack up the caravan using bottle or screw jacks to just remove the wheels from the ground (do not use the corner steadies). Support the axle using stands so the wheels are just off the ground. If preferred, the wheels can be removed and the vehicle supported using stands that bolt directly on to the wheel hubs, such as Winterwheels. They can also be fitted with an imobilising plate to minimise theft.

Lower the corner steadies to just touch the ground but not take any weight. For added security, consider locking the steadies.

If the wheels are left on, correctly inflate the tyres, chock the wheels and cover the tyres to prevent degradation. Rotate periodically to lubricate the wheel bearings and consider fitting wheel clamps for security.

Release the handbrake; check the hitch is fully extended to ensure there is no load on the braking system, grease the coupling and cover for protection. Consider a hitch lock to prevent theft

If the site is in an area exposed to high winds, consider anchoring the chassis securely to the ground.

Water Systems

To prevent frozen water damage over the winter months, the whole system must be drained down following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Drain all water carriers completely and leave the plugs off to avoid unwanted smells

Carver Cascade System

1/. Warm the heater to assist in draining

2/. Unscrew the drain plug located on the outside of the flue cowl and leave removed.

3/. If fitted, activate cold water drain plug which is normally found under the caravan near to the water inlet socket.

4/. Open all hot and cold water taps to allow water to drain to outside. Leave control on dual taps in central position and leave open. Should the vehicle require towing after draining, by leaving all taps and drain valves open, the vehicle movement will assist in removing all water from the system.

5/. Remove tap spouts and shower heads by unscrewing and shake dry

6/. Remove submersible pump and water filters (if fitted) and shake dry. Should non return valves be fitted anywhere in the system, pipe work must be disconnected at those valves to ensure complete drainage.

Truma Ultrastore System

1/. Isolate the water pump from the power supply.

2/. When water is cool, open the safety/drain valve and leave open.

3/. Open all hot and cold water taps to allow water to drain to outside. Leave control on dual taps in central position and leave open. Should the vehicle require towing after draining, by leaving all taps and drain valves open, the vehicle movement will assist in removing all water from the system.

4/. If a submersible pump or a water filter is fitted, ensure that they are fully drained. Should non return valves be fitted anywhere in the system, pipe work must be disconnected at the valves to ensure complete drainage.

Should the caravan be stored for a long period, the caravan should be fully serviced before use.

Cassette Toilettes

Add some lubricant to toilet slide and leave open to prevent it sticking. Empty and rinse out the toilet and drain the fresh water flush part of the toilet system. The top tank should be drained via the drain point which is normally inside the external door

Electrical

Disconnect the battery and put it in a garage or shed where it can be recharged every couple of months. Alternatively, invest in a smart charger which will monitor the state of the battery and top up as necessary. Spray WD40 on all of the electrical connections.

Gas

Remove all gas cylinders if practical and store in an adequately ventilated location. If left in situ, ensure that all cylinders are fully turned off and the gas compartment is locked. Butane gas starts to freeze at temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius whereas Propane does not.

Awnings

Ensure awnings are clean and dry before storage otherwise they will suffer from mildew or possibly rot.

Caravan Protection

For added protection there is the choice of applying a liquid protection or purchasing a tailor-made cover.

With a liquid protection such as Fenwicks Overwintering Fluid, the van is washed thoroughly and the liquid applied and left to dry. This will then protect against algae, mould, fungus, airborne pollutants, acid rain and bird lime. It will not crack in frosty conditions, wash off with rain or snow, or melt in warm sunshine. Once the vehicle is brought out of storage the liquid is simply washed off with the appropriate cleaner.

If the choice is a cover, it is imperative that it is constructed in a soft breathable fabric and is purposely made for the job. It is specifically designed to protect the paintwork and windows and its breathable properties will prevent damp occurring within the vehicle.

Hopefully the tips and caravan accessories mentioned in this article will assist you in protecting your caravan over the winter months and you will return to find it in ‘tip top’ condition at the return of spring.

This article was prepared for you by John Morrish of East Coast Leisure, Basildon, Essex, UK.

For motorhome hire, caravan & motorhome sales, servicing & repairs; caravan accessories & motorhome accessories both online and onsite - you can find us at http://www.east-coast-leisure.co.uk

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