i need to store my caravan for winter. it will be stored outdoors away from home. please can anyone advise of what
i need to do to winterise it. newbie to caravaning. thanks
i need to do to winterise it. newbie to caravaning. thanks
winterising caravan
- Thread starter foxd
- Start date
Drain all water out of the system, leave taps open. Bring battery home to keep charged, no harm in keeping a couple of windows on air and if worried some will say bring furnishings home and store.
Parksy
Moderator
First of all make sure that no foodstuffs are left inside the caravan which could attract mice.
Stand seating cushions away from the walls of the caravan to reduce the chances of upholstery damage through condensation.
Open the water system drain tap to drain the boiler, open all taps including the shower and remove the shower head and pipe.
Run the water pump to expell as much water as possible from the system.
If a water filter is fitted remove it.
Empty the toilet completely including the flush tank.
When all water is expelled fit the sink plugs into the plugholes, you might want to use disinfectant to clean the waste pipes first.
Ensure that the gas bottle is disconnected, fit your wheelclamps.
If your caravan alarm is to be left on ensure that the battery is fully charged, otherwise remove the battery for home storage and trickle charging over winter.
Stand seating cushions away from the walls of the caravan to reduce the chances of upholstery damage through condensation.
Open the water system drain tap to drain the boiler, open all taps including the shower and remove the shower head and pipe.
Run the water pump to expell as much water as possible from the system.
If a water filter is fitted remove it.
Empty the toilet completely including the flush tank.
When all water is expelled fit the sink plugs into the plugholes, you might want to use disinfectant to clean the waste pipes first.
Ensure that the gas bottle is disconnected, fit your wheelclamps.
If your caravan alarm is to be left on ensure that the battery is fully charged, otherwise remove the battery for home storage and trickle charging over winter.
I remove the wheels and store them away from the van I believe that if you leave the van standing on its wheeels you should rotate them?
I would just add that I open all cupboards, drawers doors etc and leave the fridge door open after giving it a wash out with a mild Milton solution. If you open all the taps and water tank drains before you take it to store virtually all water will drain such that frost is unlikely to cause any damage.
hi I would do all of the above, plus remove the water filter and fit a blanking plug if you sterilise the system in the spring you would need a new filter anyway,
Water can remain in the taps and I would open them and blow down them to remove this, Be warned it can be awkward but look at the cost of replacement and you will know it makes sense.
If you are concerned about water in the pipes freezing hav va look at this website.
http://www.keepfloeing.com/
Les
http://www.keepfloeing.com/
Les
Rather than spending loads of money on a device that you will only use for a few minutes a year why not make your own up. All you need is a connector for the water system, a piece of pipe and a valve and valve stem off an innertube. I used a valve stem off and old mountain bike inner tube and simply pushed it into the end of the pipe and secured it with a jubilee clip. Attach a tyre pump (I use my stirrup pump that I have for my bikes but a small car tyre compressor will work just as well and a bit faster). when you get to 15psi stop the pump and open the first tap and whoosh out shoots the water. Just continue same procedure with the rest of the taps. If you want any more info shout and I will describe in more detail.
One other thing you can do is to remove the top of the tap and inside a lot of taps there is a little plastic filter,you can also remove them as they will split if we get the frosts we have been getting the past few years,They are only about £15 each but if 3 taps go !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two more things.
I add a measure of the blue toilet solution to the waste tank,no water,.
I prefer to leave the handbrake off.
I add a measure of the blue toilet solution to the waste tank,no water,.
I prefer to leave the handbrake off.
Previous comments noted. Caravan Club magazine (Oct.2012, page 113) carried an advertisement for a "blow through" device, mainly aimed at motorhome users. Named as "Floe Drain Down System" priced from £39.99.
My Bailey handbook advises about opening all the taps but not about removing the tap ends to access any filter. I 'll be checking that one out in my 'van.
Bailey also suggest adding a non toxic propylene glycol antifreeze to the cassette toilet flush tank. My previous van did not have a cassette toilet so it wasn't an issue but my present van has. I noticed last weekend that my local caravan shop now has a selection of such anti freezes, some designed to be used in the fresh water supply. (Pump in until it discharges from the tap end. Flush out at beginning of next season) and I've bought some for my van but I'm not going to use it in the fresh water system.. It's either add antifreeze or drain the flush tank somehow. Obviously it's an easy matter to empty the waste tank. Observations anyone ?
My Bailey handbook advises about opening all the taps but not about removing the tap ends to access any filter. I 'll be checking that one out in my 'van.
Bailey also suggest adding a non toxic propylene glycol antifreeze to the cassette toilet flush tank. My previous van did not have a cassette toilet so it wasn't an issue but my present van has. I noticed last weekend that my local caravan shop now has a selection of such anti freezes, some designed to be used in the fresh water supply. (Pump in until it discharges from the tap end. Flush out at beginning of next season) and I've bought some for my van but I'm not going to use it in the fresh water system.. It's either add antifreeze or drain the flush tank somehow. Obviously it's an easy matter to empty the waste tank. Observations anyone ?
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