To Winter or Not

[RichardH]

ok as a seasoned carravanner of nearly two months standing I have to ask about wintering the van. I hope to get away once a month during Nov, Dec Jan and Feb do I need to drain the van down and do the whole wintering thing as described in the manual in between times? The van is a 1995 Sprite Major Super

 

[BrianStAlbans]

For the time it takes verses the possible damage a sudden overnight freeze could cause,I'd do it...Brian

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

OK so what we are saying (it's my frst winter too!) is that we should :-

- drain the main and hot water tanks

- open the taps

- close up the plug holes (with their respective plugs)

Anything else?

John

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

If you are leaving the van outside all winter I have a couple of other suggestions.

Remove the battery, fully charge it and then store it somewhere frost free.

Remove cushions as they can cause damp problems against the van wall.

Leave the fridge door open.

I have indoor storage for my van now but I used to do all the above as well as the normal draining down.

 

[mcghee]

i always drain my water tanks before my home journey from a site,since travelling with water in the tanks means towing unneccesary weight(live weight).in the case of my van this is about 80kilos,and in a lot of vans this will be behind the axle,possibly leading to instability.if its ahead of the axle its extra noseweight.either way its not good.also by doing this ill never be caught out by a surprise cold snap.

 

[keith_5081818]

If u leave water in the system its not a case of it might get damaged. It will get damaged.

1 remove carver boilers external white plastic drain plug and place in kitchen sink.

2 open carver external top, fast drain valve.

3 open all taps.

4 If swift group van, & some other oldervans, remove the red bung/bungs called low level drain bungs, & place in sink.(these are located under the van & not necessarily anywhere near the heater.

5 if newish Truma boiler, remove, 5 amp immersion heaters spur fuse, (if it has spur) or ensure switch is off at the consumer unit, Raise the yellow fast drain valve to the vertical.

6 drain & clean any onboard water tanks.

7 empty toilet cassette.

8 empty toilet flushing tank.

9 u could also drop the shower hose to the floor after removing the shower head & leaving it in the sink, this will get any water out of it.

This is the state we leave all our stock vans in and any Pdi'd & sold is given to the customer like this, from the 21st Oct, until may'ish

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

If u leave water in the system its not a case of it might get damaged. It will get damaged.

1 remove carver boilers external white plastic drain plug and place in kitchen sink.

2 open carver external top, fast drain valve.

3 open all taps.

4 If swift group van, & some other oldervans, remove the red bung/bungs called low level drain bungs, & place in sink.(these are located under the van & not necessarily anywhere near the heater.

5 if newish Truma boiler, remove, 5 amp immersion heaters spur fuse, (if it has spur) or ensure switch is off at the consumer unit, Raise the yellow fast drain valve to the vertical.

6 drain & clean any onboard water tanks.

7 empty toilet cassette.

8 empty toilet flushing tank.

9 u could also drop the shower hose to the floor after removing the shower head & leaving it in the sink, this will get any water out of it.

This is the state we leave all our stock vans in and any Pdi'd & sold is given to the customer like this, from the 21st Oct, until may'ish

Keith:

This is avery helful what what the 'carver' bit. I have a Bailey Senator and cannot recall the name 'carver'? Thanks!

John