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Winter Storage

P

Philip_374349976

Hi

I am about to put my caravan into storage for the winter can any one please tell me what I need to be doing. Do I buy a cover or not, do I need vent covers or not, why I am asking is you read so many articals about this sort of thing you just dont know whether the shops are trying to sell you things you dont need can any one please help

Many Thanks

Phil
 
I think someone on the Forum made up a checklist, try a search.

It is not too complicated. Basically drain all water and leave taps open. Smear olive oil on the flap of the loo to stop it sticking. Do not use Vaseline. Remove all food and the gas cylinders if you can. Some people like to remove the cushions as they can be kept dry at home, and make the van less desirable to thieves. Try, if possible to keep blinds up and the handbrake off, again this will stop them all sticking. Obviously, leave the fridge door open, and the freezer compartment. I use the ice tray to hold the latter open. Remove any valuable items like TV's etc. Remove the leisure battery and give it a charge over the winter. A cover will protect the van but ensure it is clean and dry before you put one on. Some people are for and against them,. it is your choice. However, look at where it is being stored and if under trees then be aware of leaves and droppings that will mark the roof over time. While in store revolve the wheels regularly to stop flats developing, or get plastic plates that give a curved surface for the wheel. Some poeple like to leave either a low wattage heater on, or use a moisture extractor, but this all depends on where the storage is relevant to your house.

Yes, shops will suggest all sorts of 'goodies' Some work, some don't, but many peple just like to buy them to see, as it is part of their fun.

Of course many on this Forum will recommend the best answer is to keep using the van in winter. Personally, I don't but I am a 'chicken'.
 
Hi Philip

Drain the water system down remove the battery & put it on trickle charge preferably using a multistage charger such as CETEC wash & polish van,some apply Mer & do not polish it, then in spring polish off the Mer,others use fenwick over winter,I use a caravan cover & also cover the windows with old bed sheets as a double protection against scuff marks, put the van up on axle stands or winter wheels(additional anti theft benifit) leave hand brake off, cover your hitch & conection cable /plugs,make sure the ventalation holes in bed box's are clear,remove soft furnishings if you can othewise move them away from the van sides & remove TV's ect.If you can't remove & store your wheels cover them with a sheet of hard board or suchlike
 
Just a point here about removing the leisure battery. Some insurers, and the Caravan Club is one of them, require the caravan alarm (if present) to be set, even if in secure storage. Although an alarm will have an internal battery that should last some months, it is recharged by the leisure battery. Therefore if the alarm battery is past its best, and they do have to be replaced after approx 5 years, the van could be without its necessary protection.
 
Oh thats interesting Chris. After our last trip out, knowing it would be sometime before we were off again, we didn't bother plugging into the house mains after we got back. Some 2 weeks later, the van alarm went off. Everytime it was set, it would go off. When we looked at the charge indicator, there was no (or very little) charge on the van battery, so we plugged the van in and the alarm began to work as normal. Do you think it maybe that the alarm battery needs replacing? The van is 7 years old although we only bought it in April this year. More to the point, whereabouts in the van am I likely to find the alarm battery and what sort of thing am i looking for? Lol told you we were new to this.
 
Oh thats interesting Chris. After our last trip out, knowing it would be sometime before we were off again, we didn't bother plugging into the house mains after we got back. Some 2 weeks later, the van alarm went off. Everytime it was set, it would go off. When we looked at the charge indicator, there was no (or very little) charge on the van battery, so we plugged the van in and the alarm began to work as normal. Do you think it maybe that the alarm battery needs replacing? The van is 7 years old although we only bought it in April this year. More to the point, whereabouts in the van am I likely to find the alarm battery and what sort of thing am i looking for? Lol told you we were new to this.
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Thanks every one

Phil
 
I think one of the best bits of advice on this is to keep checking through the winter. Where your caravan is parked, whether it is on a working farm, etc.

I have had the unfotunate experience of the farmer damaging the caravan not telling me and then finding out after a storm has ruined the insides.
 
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