Can someone please advise me about storing my caravan over winter. It is outside but has a cover.
Over wintering
- Thread starter Morganic
- Start date
Damian
Moderator
Morganic,
The most impoetant thing to do is ensure you drain down all the water from every item that uses it, taps, shower, water heater, toilet,
If your van has water drain bungs underneath, it should tell you in the handbook, make sure you drain water from here too.
It is advisable to remove the shower head as water is sometimes difficult to get out and if it freezes, it will split the head.Leave all the taps in the open position.
Remove the battery and take it home, keep it fully charged in a cool but frost free place.
After you have drained the water, and the waste pipes are empty, place a loose bung of cloth in each outlet to prevent insects and vermin using the pipes as over wintering places.
Make sure the gas drop holes in the gas locker are mouse proof!! with wire mesh over them.
Either take all the upholstery home or stand it on end in the body of the van to allow air to circulate around the van.
Raise the van on axle stands to take the weight off the wheels.
Give the outside of the van a good wash before fitting the cover.
Disconnect the gas pigtail from the gas cylinder and put the loose end in a fabric bag tied around the hose to stop spiders or other small insects getting inside the pipe.
Probably something I have missed, but thats a good start.
The most impoetant thing to do is ensure you drain down all the water from every item that uses it, taps, shower, water heater, toilet,
If your van has water drain bungs underneath, it should tell you in the handbook, make sure you drain water from here too.
It is advisable to remove the shower head as water is sometimes difficult to get out and if it freezes, it will split the head.Leave all the taps in the open position.
Remove the battery and take it home, keep it fully charged in a cool but frost free place.
After you have drained the water, and the waste pipes are empty, place a loose bung of cloth in each outlet to prevent insects and vermin using the pipes as over wintering places.
Make sure the gas drop holes in the gas locker are mouse proof!! with wire mesh over them.
Either take all the upholstery home or stand it on end in the body of the van to allow air to circulate around the van.
Raise the van on axle stands to take the weight off the wheels.
Give the outside of the van a good wash before fitting the cover.
Disconnect the gas pigtail from the gas cylinder and put the loose end in a fabric bag tied around the hose to stop spiders or other small insects getting inside the pipe.
Probably something I have missed, but thats a good start.
Morganic
What Damien says is all very good stuff. How about a different thought, just drain down the water so it doesn't freeze in the pipes and then leave everything in the van as you do in the summer and use the van during the winter.I do more winter caravanning than summer and thoroughly enjoy it.......just a thought.
What Damien says is all very good stuff. How about a different thought, just drain down the water so it doesn't freeze in the pipes and then leave everything in the van as you do in the summer and use the van during the winter.I do more winter caravanning than summer and thoroughly enjoy it.......just a thought.
I do not use a cover preferring to rely on a good polish as I have heard that caravans "sweat" under a cover.
But if you want to use a cover I have also heard that it is a good idea to cover the windows of the van with Clingfilm as the movement of the cover on the softish acrylic windows can dull them or scratch.
Not using a cover I cannot say how true this is but having stored a car with a cover on I was devastated by the damage to the cars paintwork caused by the slight movement of the cover against the vehicle.
But if you want to use a cover I have also heard that it is a good idea to cover the windows of the van with Clingfilm as the movement of the cover on the softish acrylic windows can dull them or scratch.
Not using a cover I cannot say how true this is but having stored a car with a cover on I was devastated by the damage to the cars paintwork caused by the slight movement of the cover against the vehicle.
I had a Bailey Pagaent Vendee for 3 years and used a Specialised Accessories cover for all that time.
I had no problem with it "sweating" as it was breathable. Just wash the van, leather off the windows then put on the cover after making sure the sharp corners are protected with the packing pieces as supplied.
No cling film was used as I heard the windows reacted with the chemicals in the clingfilm and caused them to "craze", not good for the windows!! Would recommend a cover anytime.
I was talking to a tyre expert, he said there is no need to jack up the wheels as this was only recomended for cross ply tyres and not radials.
Edd
Edd
Damian
Moderator
Eddie, I was not specifically thinking about the tyres, but standing on one point for maybe 5 months is not good for any tyre.
The reason to raise the weight off the axles is to allow the axle damping rubber, built into the axles, time to rest and recover.
The reason to raise the weight off the axles is to allow the axle damping rubber, built into the axles, time to rest and recover.
Two points to consider from the suggestions given above.
Firstly if you raise the van check that your insurance is not invalidated by not having your wheel clamp on, unless you can also leave it on.
Secondly the use of clingfilm on the windows is definitely not advised by the manufacturer of our cover as cemicals in the film can react with those in the window causing crazing.
The best advice is to keep using it all year round - our cover now sits in the garage unused.
Firstly if you raise the van check that your insurance is not invalidated by not having your wheel clamp on, unless you can also leave it on.
Secondly the use of clingfilm on the windows is definitely not advised by the manufacturer of our cover as cemicals in the film can react with those in the window causing crazing.
The best advice is to keep using it all year round - our cover now sits in the garage unused.
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