We have just bought a swift conqeror and need some urgent advice please. The comprehensive handbook tells me how to drain the water heater and the cassette toilet but doesn't mention much else. There is a section re pipes underneath but I wont be able to get to do this until the weekend. We are new to having a modern van and I understand this one has an on-board tank. Does this tank sit below the floor and would these pipes effectively drain it? Secondly, the van has an A/C unit (blizzard) on the roof which has a large fan orifice at the back. Should I attempt to block this to prevent rain getting in or is there no problem leaving it as it is? Thank you and Regards,Paul
Ready for winter
- Thread starter Paul924
- Start date
TRY TAKING IT BACK TO WHERE YOU BOUGHT IT FROM,SOUNDS LIKE YOU SPENT A LOT OF MONEY SO THEY SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU HOW EVERYTHINH WORKS
Paul the water tank is normaly in board in on of the under seat lockers but should have a drainage tap that can be found under the van.
hi,
just started to get van ready for winter, like yourself this is a new van for us with a onboard water tank, i have read book done all it says but i am having problems getting the plug under the caravan off to drain the water can any one give me advice how to get it off book doesn't tell you that bit.
Also is there anything else i should know about this is our first winter with the caravan.
just started to get van ready for winter, like yourself this is a new van for us with a onboard water tank, i have read book done all it says but i am having problems getting the plug under the caravan off to drain the water can any one give me advice how to get it off book doesn't tell you that bit.
Also is there anything else i should know about this is our first winter with the caravan.
Does it not have a tap rather than a plug?
It's normal practice to drain the tank when travelling along the road rather than have litres of water sloshing around so the process should be fairly easy.
It's normal practice to drain the tank when travelling along the road rather than have litres of water sloshing around so the process should be fairly easy.
Hello its me again. Just been back to the van for a better look. I have found the drain for the tank which sits between the chassis behind the back axle. It is a convoluted pipe clipped to the underside of the van and it has a blue tap on the end of it. Pulled the pipe from the clip, opened the tap and loads of water came out. There is another drain under the van which is connected to a cold water pipe in the bed box.This drain is black with a red plug in it.I can't seem to get the plug out. I have tried twisting it from the black section and also tried to pull it from the black section without success. Any help please>
Paul
For the bed box water tank, try looking under the bed inside and see if there is a yellow in line tap in the pipes coming from the tank under the bed, if there is and you flip it up to the vertical position it should empty that tank without having to pull plugs out under the van.
Good luck..
same problem as yourself, found plug under van black with red top have tried every thing to get it off not move, i'll have look inside see if there a drain there. let you know how i get on.
Damian
Moderator
The underfloor water drain plug is released from the pipe by pushing back on a small collar at the end of the pipe, whilst withdrawing the red plug from the end of the pipe
thanks Damian, just had go at it and it came off first time, i was ready for a soaking only small amount of water came out is this normal.
Damian
Moderator
Jennifer, yes it is normal not to have too much water coming out of the pipe as it is only there to release the last bits in the pipes which are below the normal drain tap level
Here's a list that might be usefull to you with some general tips for getting ready for winter:
Caravan drain down and over wintering tips.
Many static caravan parks are located by the sea, which only adds to the problem of over
wintering because of the damp which may promote mould growth.
One tip to beat the damp in the air is to use washing up bowls full of cooking salt. Usually one at
each end of the caravan is sufficient, but you may also play safe by adding small plastic bowls
spread around the rooms.
When you return to re-open the caravan, the salt will have extracted lots of water from the air
into the salt bowl. Be warned though - the bowls may become quite full of water, so to avoid spillages, place them on plastic sheeting ( cut up bin liners etc).
You could ask your site if they will leave the power switched on to your caravan. Then buy a de-humidifier and run a drain tube out through the caravan floor.
You will never have a damp problem again if you set the de-humidifier up correctly ,and you can use it as well during the colder damp months when the site is open .It may well be worth the investment!
Furnishings and cupboards.
If possible remove interior cushions and curtains and store at home somewhere dry. If you are
unable to do that, then prop up seat cushions and pull away from sidewalls to allow free-flow of
air.(you could try propping them up with cardboard boxes). Also leave all small doors (cupboard doors etc) open but close larger ones to avoid warping (some owners prefer to leave all doors open for maximum ventilation though)
If you take down all the curtains, make sure all furnishing are covered with a thin
bed sheet to avoid fading in sunlight or prop them up with the undersides exposed to the light to avoid fading.
Remove all food items from cupboards (to avoid unwanted vermin) especially tins as they will leave a rusty ring on the shelf. Throw out any fresh food which may rot, and don't forget to empty the kettle!
If you wish to keep these food items in the cupboards then try to keep dry foodstuffs in sealed containers - Tupperware or Glass Jars with rubber seals are ideal. Store your tins in black plastic bags to avoid rust marks.
Clean and empty refrigerator and leave the door open a few inches for ventilation.You could try cleaning the fridge with sodium bicarbonate to get rid of any "fridge" smells. Clean and de-
grease the hob and oven.
Water.
You may need to contact a competent person for this job or ask the park maintenance. You can usually pay them to drain down for you, but you also need to check your insurance policy. Some insurance policies specify that you do it yourself and will be invalidated if another person does it for you.
Flush water pipes and the fresh water container with a sterilising agent, and the waste pipes and container with a stronger disinfectant.
Turn off mains water and disconnect (just in case someone tries to turn it back on). Open all the
caravan drain taps under the caravan, then run off any water. Empty the hot water boiler and
ensure there is no water inside. Blow through the pipes making sure excess water leaves the
system via the open drain values under the caravan. Alternatively you could try fitting a hand or foot pump to pump out the excess water rather than your own lungs!
Cover outside drain taps with fine mesh to keep out insects
Flush toilets inside to empty the cistern and leave all taps open (including shower).
Place a small amount of de-icer in the toilet bowl, cistern and all sink plug holes. Place post it notes on the areas you leave de-icer in to remind you to thoroughly rinse these areas (incase your dog/ small child decides to lick the toilet bowl upon your return!!
Other tips.
Remove any clock or smoke alarm batteries that might corrode over the winter.
Fit new batteries in the spring.
Gas cylinders should be removed and stored in a cool, well ventilated location, preferably not in
the caravan.
If you can afford to, leave some low heat on a timer for the cold nights, as this will save you
It may also be an idea to leave notes inside the windows saying "All Valuables Have Been Removed".
Caravan drain down and over wintering tips.
Many static caravan parks are located by the sea, which only adds to the problem of over
wintering because of the damp which may promote mould growth.
One tip to beat the damp in the air is to use washing up bowls full of cooking salt. Usually one at
each end of the caravan is sufficient, but you may also play safe by adding small plastic bowls
spread around the rooms.
When you return to re-open the caravan, the salt will have extracted lots of water from the air
into the salt bowl. Be warned though - the bowls may become quite full of water, so to avoid spillages, place them on plastic sheeting ( cut up bin liners etc).
You could ask your site if they will leave the power switched on to your caravan. Then buy a de-humidifier and run a drain tube out through the caravan floor.
You will never have a damp problem again if you set the de-humidifier up correctly ,and you can use it as well during the colder damp months when the site is open .It may well be worth the investment!
Furnishings and cupboards.
If possible remove interior cushions and curtains and store at home somewhere dry. If you are
unable to do that, then prop up seat cushions and pull away from sidewalls to allow free-flow of
air.(you could try propping them up with cardboard boxes). Also leave all small doors (cupboard doors etc) open but close larger ones to avoid warping (some owners prefer to leave all doors open for maximum ventilation though)
If you take down all the curtains, make sure all furnishing are covered with a thin
bed sheet to avoid fading in sunlight or prop them up with the undersides exposed to the light to avoid fading.
Remove all food items from cupboards (to avoid unwanted vermin) especially tins as they will leave a rusty ring on the shelf. Throw out any fresh food which may rot, and don't forget to empty the kettle!
If you wish to keep these food items in the cupboards then try to keep dry foodstuffs in sealed containers - Tupperware or Glass Jars with rubber seals are ideal. Store your tins in black plastic bags to avoid rust marks.
Clean and empty refrigerator and leave the door open a few inches for ventilation.You could try cleaning the fridge with sodium bicarbonate to get rid of any "fridge" smells. Clean and de-
grease the hob and oven.
Water.
You may need to contact a competent person for this job or ask the park maintenance. You can usually pay them to drain down for you, but you also need to check your insurance policy. Some insurance policies specify that you do it yourself and will be invalidated if another person does it for you.
Flush water pipes and the fresh water container with a sterilising agent, and the waste pipes and container with a stronger disinfectant.
Turn off mains water and disconnect (just in case someone tries to turn it back on). Open all the
caravan drain taps under the caravan, then run off any water. Empty the hot water boiler and
ensure there is no water inside. Blow through the pipes making sure excess water leaves the
system via the open drain values under the caravan. Alternatively you could try fitting a hand or foot pump to pump out the excess water rather than your own lungs!
Cover outside drain taps with fine mesh to keep out insects
Flush toilets inside to empty the cistern and leave all taps open (including shower).
Place a small amount of de-icer in the toilet bowl, cistern and all sink plug holes. Place post it notes on the areas you leave de-icer in to remind you to thoroughly rinse these areas (incase your dog/ small child decides to lick the toilet bowl upon your return!!
Other tips.
Remove any clock or smoke alarm batteries that might corrode over the winter.
Fit new batteries in the spring.
Gas cylinders should be removed and stored in a cool, well ventilated location, preferably not in
the caravan.
If you can afford to, leave some low heat on a timer for the cold nights, as this will save you
It may also be an idea to leave notes inside the windows saying "All Valuables Have Been Removed".
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