Preparing for Winter
A Winter Checklist
Touring caravans, static caravans and motorhomes
Store your caravan/motorhome away from potential hazards, like tall tress or sheds etc. that might blow over.
Avoid places that are liable to flood. If using a storage site, choose one away from the salt air at the cost.
Caravan covers may be used, but many experts believe they can cause condensation, which may do more harm than the elements.
If possible remove interior cushions and curtains and store at home somewhere dry. Otherwise prop up seat cushions with empty boxes and pull away from sidewalls to allow free-flow of air. Store them 'bottom up' or cover them to avoid fading in sunlight.
Remove all food items that might rot or attract vermine.
Clean and empty all cupboards: leave small doors ajar, but close larger ones to prevent warping.
Clean and empty refrigerator and leave the door open a few inches for ventilation. Clean and de-grease the hob and oven.
Drain the water heater and ensure there is no water inside. Blow through the pipes. Leave all taps and drain cocks open.
Flush water pipes and the fresh water container with a sterilising agent, and the waste pipes and container with a stronger disinfectant. Drain down sink pipes and leave all taps inside and outside open for water to drain away. Cover outside drain taps with fine mesh to keep out insects.
Empty the cassette toilet and sterilize.
Remove 12v battery and clean. Top up electrolyte fluid if necessary. Store in a cool, dry place. Trickle charge before re-fitting. NB if you have an alarm fitted, make sure it runs off its own batteries and not the one you are removing!
Remove any clock or smoke alarm batteries that might corrode over the winter. Fit new batteries in the sping.
Gas cylinders should be removed and stored in a cool, well ventilated location, preferably not in the caravan.
Wash the the outside and the chassis to remove mud and road salt and prevent corrosion. Degrease the coupling and steadies, examine for wear, and then regrease.
If the radio or stereo is of the removable type, take it out over winter and store in a safe place.
Ideally the caravan should be jacked up and supported on axle stands with the wheels clear of the ground. Wheels can be removed if desired and stored in a cool, dark place at normal tyre pressures.
Corner steadies should be lowered to the ground. The handbrake should be left off and the wheels turned from time to time to keep them free moving.
Remove any items of value from the caravan and make it secure. As well as locking the door, consider fitting a good quality hitch-lock or wheel-lock.
Maintaining your tourer for winter use
As Butane Gas freezes at below 4 degrees Centigrade, we would recommend that you use Propane.
After each trip drain down the water system, toilet reservoir and water heater. Remove the water filter as damp can turn to frost and cause permanent damage.
Keep the leisure battery top-up charged.
Ensure that all mechanical parts of the van are in good working order: handbrake, brakes, jockey wheel, corner stadies, etc.
Keep all moving parts well oiled and maintained.