Does any one else do this??.

[JTQ]

It’s not antifreeze that I use its screenwash that a make up to a -10 deg C ratio.

Many of these screen wash products are alcohol based, to amongst other things achieve a level of frost protection.
That's fine in their intended application, as they are not free to allow the alcohol to evaporate, a very different situation to their use in our water traps, where the open surface will soon allow the alcohol to dissipate away.
I don't share the confidence that using many of the screenwash products achieves the assumed antifreeze protection through the winter.
The open surface that allows the loss of the alcohol, though itself affords a level of inherent frost protection, in there is somewhere for the ice to go.
I either blow mine out these days, or I occasionally undo them for a routine clean up; must get round to it as the November lock up has screwed any further vanning this winter for us.
The water system is drained, blown through and taps and mixers left vented, worked issue free for the last 40 odd winters.

 

[otherclive]

Many of these screen wash products are alcohol based, to amongst other things achieve a level of frost protection.
That's fine in their intended application, as they are not free to allow the alcohol to evaporate, a very different situation to their use in our water traps, where the open surface will soon allow the alcohol to dissipate away.
I don't share the confidence that using many of the screenwash products achieves the assumed antifreeze protection through the winter.
The open surface that allows the loss of the alcohol, though itself affords a level of inherent frost protection, in there is somewhere for the ice to go.
I either blow mine out these days, or I occasionally undo them for a routine clean up; must get round to it as the November lock up has screwed any further vanning this winter for us.
The water system is drained, blown through and taps and mixers left vented, worked issue free for the last 40 odd winters.

Most good quality screen washes that go down to -20 deg C or lower, will use between 5-10 of 1.2 propandendiol, or equivalent which is more bio friendly than glycol, and gives them the ability to resist lower temperatures, with reduced propensity to evaporation. I currently use Sonax screen wash, but have used others in the past. Your comments re alcohol evaporating; the conditions in which the screen wash fluid is used are during winter reduced ambient temperatures, closed environment ( flush tank and pump, closed water traps, with pipework ends plugged etc) so the effects of vapour pressure on evaporation rate are depressed. Touch wood I have never had a problem with freezing. Will see how I get on if La Nina gets up and running.

 

[JTQ]

Clive, I did with exceeding care state:

"That's fine in their intended application, as they are not free to allow the alcohol to evaporate, a very different situation to their use in our water traps, where the open surface will soon allow the alcohol to dissipate away."

 

[Beachball]

I made up my own Water Blow through, adaptor, plugs into the water inlet, using the airpump from the Air awning, open individual taps and woosh, amasing the amount of water that comes out. Don't need to up or down the caravan as it is stored under cover. ( but I will get that pidgeon) hoping to get out in December, Grove Lock Caravan site. Near Leighton Buzzard,, Bedfordshire.

Hi Hutch i hope you have a great break in December it will be a nice change if we out of this second Lockdown Enjoy ,

 

[Beachball]

Most good quality screen washes that go down to -20 deg C or lower, will use between 5-10 of 1.2 propandendiol, or equivalent which is more bio friendly than glycol, and gives them the ability to resist lower temperatures, with reduced propensity to evaporation. I currently use Sonax screen wash, but have used others in the past. Your comments re alcohol evaporating; the conditions in which the screen wash fluid is used are during winter reduced ambient temperatures, closed environment ( flush tank and pump, closed water traps, with pipework ends plugged etc) so the effects of vapour pressure on evaporation rate are depressed. Touch wood I have never had a problem with freezing. Will see how I get on if La Nina gets up and running.

Hi Clive i have make a note of the Sonax Screen wash you use with my short term memory loss and i can not remember things like i should ..

 

[Beehpee]

I’ve got the excess water out by blowing down the shower hose, fair bit came out each tap, probably a bit left here and there as when I blow I can hear it bubbling slightly but I doubt it’s enough to damage anything, poured screen wash in plug holes, don’t know if there are u bends but won’t hurt either way, put a bit of a slight incline towards the rear of the van so rain runs away quicker so should all help.
one thing someone might have an opinion on, my new Alko wheel lock recommends the barrel lock should be lubricated with ”dry powder graphite lubricant, I could get some online but apparently it’s messy stuff to use, a bit of Googling came up with WD high performance PTFE lubricant which is said to be great for locks amongst loads of other things as dries quickly so dust etc cannot stick to it and gunge up the lock, opinions?

 

[RogerL]

Hi Clive i have make a note of the Sonax Screen wash you use with my short term memory loss and i can not remember things like i should ..

Prestone Extreme Performance Screen Wash won the Auto Express Best Screenwash, beating the Sonax into 2nd place - very cost-effective as only needs 5% solution in summer and protects down to -18C

Best car screen wash 2021 | Auto Express

Which screen wash formula will cut through grime and help to boost visibility in all temperatures? We test 10 to find out

www.autoexpress.co.uk

 

[otherclive]

Prestone Extreme Performance Screen Wash won the Auto Express Best Screenwash, beating the Sonax into 2nd place - very cost-effective as only needs 5% solution in summer and protects down to -18C

Best car screen wash 2021 | Auto Express

Which screen wash formula will cut through grime and help to boost visibility in all temperatures? We test 10 to find out

www.autoexpress.co.uk

The link doesn’t mention Sonax. I find Holts and Prestone quite infuriating as on the Prestone concentrate that I have (-23 deg C) it gives the dilution ratio for Autumn, Spring and Summer. So when I asked Holts Customer Services what the dilution was for -10 deg C conditions. They did not know as it hadn’t been tested. But they advised using neat in Winter. I’ve only ever done that when I lived in Ottawa. By comparison Sonax (German) do give a range of temperature and dilution ratios. Also some Autoexpress and other reviews discriminate between rain repellent screen washes and non repellent. Sonax comes in the first category.
Overall I prefer Sonax, and my wife/daughter prefer Prestone.

PS only joking re the ladies in the family. They get whatever I put into the reservoir. But it’s always a quality one.

 

[otherclive]

I’ve got the excess water out by blowing down the shower hose, fair bit came out each tap, probably a bit left here and there as when I blow I can hear it bubbling slightly but I doubt it’s enough to damage anything, poured screen wash in plug holes, don’t know if there are u bends but won’t hurt either way, put a bit of a slight incline towards the rear of the van so rain runs away quicker so should all help.
one thing someone might have an opinion on, my new Alko wheel lock recommends the barrel lock should be lubricated with ”dry powder graphite lubricant, I could get some online but apparently it’s messy stuff to use, a bit of Googling came up with WD high performance PTFE lubricant which is said to be great for locks amongst loads of other things as dries quickly so dust etc cannot stick to it and gunge up the lock, opinions?

I use WD 40 products for a number of applications. Many don’t realise the range of products that WD40 do make.

 

[Beachball]

Prestone Extreme Performance Screen Wash won the Auto Express Best Screenwash, beating the Sonax into 2nd place - very cost-effective as only needs 5% solution in summer and protects down to -18C

Best car screen wash 2021 | Auto Express

Which screen wash formula will cut through grime and help to boost visibility in all temperatures? We test 10 to find out

www.autoexpress.co.uk

Hi Roger Just check in the garage i have Prestone Extreme Performance screen wash in Stock but i would like give the Sonax a try .

 

[RogerL]

The link doesn’t mention Sonax. I find Holts and Prestone quite infuriating as on the Prestone concentrate that I have (-23 deg C) it gives the dilution ratio for Autumn, Spring and Summer. So when I asked Holts Customer Services what the dilution was for -10 deg C conditions. They did not know as it hadn’t been tested. But they advised using neat in Winter. I’ve only ever done that when I lived in Ottawa. By comparison Sonax (German) do give a range of temperature and dilution ratios. Also some Autoexpress and other reviews discriminate between rain repellent screen washes and non repellent. Sonax comes in the first category.
Overall I prefer Sonax, and my wife/daughter prefer Prestone.

PS only joking re the ladies in the family. They get whatever I put into the reservoir. But it’s always a quality one.


View attachment 893

The link refers to Sonax if you scroll down - the Prestone you picture isn't the award-winning version which is yellow

 

[RogerL]

Hi Roger Just check in the garage i have Prestone Extreme Performance screen wash in Stock but i would like give the Sonax a try .

Good idea - then you can give us a direct comparison.

 

[otherclive]

The link refers to Sonax if you scroll down - the Prestone you picture isn't the award-winning version which is yellow

Sorry I read as far as No 3 and Sonax wasn’t included in the top three. Halfords was No2.
I didn’t say that the Prestone that I have was the top one in the review, but it’s neat performance is -23deg C. I wouldn’t use it neat as a mix of -10deg C is normally more than enough. But Holts lack of information as to the proportions for -10 deg C is disappointing. But in future I will stick to Sonax.

 

[Plug]

Just put my van to bed for the winter we uselly camp all year around our best trips away are uselly away boxing day till the new year on a rally but not this year so decided to empty the van but with it being on my drive it is always hooked up to the mains and keep the heating on through the winter through the ultra heat on the van so its still nice and cosy if we ever go in and tinker

 

[Beachball]

Good idea - then you can give us a direct comparison.

Hi Roger that was the general idea to see which of the items i prefer . i have the yellow one got it from Amazon .

 

[Beachball]

Just put my van to bed for the winter we uselly camp all year around our best trips away are uselly away boxing day till the new year on a rally but not this year so decided to empty the van but with it being on my drive it is always hooked up to the mains and keep the heating on through the winter through the ultra heat on the van so its still nice and cosy if we ever go in and tinker

We also empty our van just stood the cushion up to let the air circulate pull the yellow lever under the bunk to winterised so all of the water came out
Ours has a 4 ply Breathable Cover including the A frame is cover up . but in Caravan storage.

 

[xtrailman]

We had hoped to go away again but when the lock down was announced we changed our minds and decided to put the van to bed. We went to the storage compound emptied the the food, arranged the bedding and cupboards to allow free movement of air, checked the loo was fully drained and blew out the water lines. Closed all reflecting blinds to 90% with fly blinds covering the other 10%. Roof blinds just fly screens to allow some sun heating on warm days.

I then jacked the van up onto bricks so the tyres are just off the ground and left the van with a rearward tilt. I don’t see anyone else in storage that do that last bit in particular. Hence the question in the title.

John

I do the same but use axle stands.

 

[xtrailman]

I’ve got the excess water out by blowing down the shower hose, fair bit came out each tap, probably a bit left here and there as when I blow I can hear it bubbling slightly but I doubt it’s enough to damage anything, poured screen wash in plug holes, don’t know if there are u bends but won’t hurt either way, put a bit of a slight incline towards the rear of the van so rain runs away quicker so should all help.
one thing someone might have an opinion on, my new Alko wheel lock recommends the barrel lock should be lubricated with ”dry powder graphite lubricant, I could get some online but apparently it’s messy stuff to use, a bit of Googling came up with WD high performance PTFE lubricant which is said to be great for locks amongst loads of other things as dries quickly so dust etc cannot stick to it and gunge up the lock, opinions?

I used silicon for 6 years with my last alko lock with no issues.

I also have graphite powder but only use it for zips on my fishing 🎣 gear.

 

[Beachball]

We also leave our blinds open all year in caravan storage it show there nothing worth stealing but in winter we do empty and put a Breathable Cover touch wood it has work but we rotate the wheels every month with the mover.

 

[Buckman]

I use WD 40 products for a number of applications. Many don’t realise the range of products that WD40 do make.

WD40 is very good, but many people do not realise the damage it can cause if used incorrectly. On plastics it can make them very brittle after awhile. If sprayed on rubber, the rubber may start to rot after awhile.
If you want to clean the caravan windows and keep them clean use Vuplux. It is not cheap but cleans windows brilliantly, removes those tiny hairline scrtaches that can only be seen when the sun shines on the window at a certain angle and also helps prevent them.

 

[otherclive]

WD40 is very good, but many people do not realise the damage it can cause if used incorrectly. On plastics it can make them very brittle after awhile. If sprayed on rubber, the rubber may start to rot after awhile.
If you want to clean the caravan windows and keep them clean use Vuplux. It is not cheap but cleans windows brilliantly, removes those tiny hairline scrtaches that can only be seen when the sun shines on the window at a certain angle and also helps prevent them.

I agree re the original WD 40 but my post was really to advise that as well as the original WD 40 the company also do a wider range of products under the WD40 label. Ie silicon spray, electrical contact cleaner etc.

 

[Beachball]

WD40 is very good, but many people do not realise the damage it can cause if used incorrectly. On plastics it can make them very brittle after awhile. If sprayed on rubber, the rubber may start to rot after awhile.
If you want to clean the caravan windows and keep them clean use Vuplux. It is not cheap but cleans windows brilliantly, removes those tiny hairline scrtaches that can only be seen when the sun shines on the window at a certain angle and also helps prevent them.

Hi Buckman i have made a note of Vuplux the van we got came with light scratches on the windows just been wondering how to get them out . thanks for information .

 

[Beehpee]

The WD40 I bought is “Specialist High Performance PTFE LUBRICANT“ its not regular WD40 and states good for plastics metal and all sorts, dries quickly which is why it’s good for locks as once it’s dry, dust etc doesn’t stick to it and cause a build up of debris in the mechanism of the lock. I don’t need to spray the Alko wheel lock yet as it’s as smooth as silk putting it on and removing it, I’m impressed with the overall quality of the Alko but for the price it should be.

 

[Beachball]

i have just order WD40 Specialist High Performance PTFE L ubricant silicone Spray because it is idea for doors , hinges and locks and the most important Lubricating my Fishing Reels

 

[otherclive]

Here is the link to the WD40 company product range, which also gives technical information in the Safety Data Sheets on material compatibility or material cautions.

WD40 product range