Keeping the Caravan on the drive over winter...

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  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #32

    I put mine on axle stands over the winter, except this year I won't bother as I will replace the tyres before next season.

    As for storage its been no heating, for two years I just drew the curtains and pulled all seating etc from walls and left fridge and cupboards open with no problems. Last year was no different to what I did but the curtain liners had mold spots on them, the curtains themselves were OK only the white cotton liners, nothing else was affected. I can only put it down to last winter being a more wet one than the previous two.

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited October 2016 #33

    we have a dehumidifier which we switch on for a couple of days every couple of weeks or so (as someone already posted, leave it on all the time and you're just trying to dehumidify the planet). We have winter wheels which save the tyres and add extra security.
    We also leave the taps open to allow for expansion of any residual water in the system. Never bother about the cushions or blinds, but then or van is well shaded. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited October 2016 #34
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • bnmuk
    bnmuk Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited October 2016 #35

    I remove the battery  and charge it once every month, Ithink im correct in saying its only in almost new caravans that the charger willt fully charge the battery, the quickest way to ruin a battery is to leave it partly charged

    Alan

  • davida71uk
    davida71uk Forum Participant Posts: 31
    edited November 2016 #36

    I've been reading with interest the posts on water draining:

    1 - Half open taps on Hot/Cold - Water Expansion.

    2 - Remove shower head and place in tray.

    3 - Empty toilet flushing cistern,

    What about systems like the Alde system, are they straightforward enough to purge of any remaining water?

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #37

    No harder than any other to drain. Of course the heating fluid remains Winking

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited November 2016 #38

    Although we use our caravan over the winter, I do drain the water systems between uses. Earlier today, having used the onboard tank extensivley since this summer (didn't bother before) I spent the time to drain the water out of the system.

    I have a floe device bought on offer at last years NEC show and a small 12v plug in compressor thing. I opened the drain taps on the tank, set to external, connected the floe to the upper intake and ran to pressure. Ran the internal water pump for a while
    going round opening taps throughout. For about 30 minutes water was released from the tank. When it stopped, I connected the floe to the lower intake as previously to purge the taps in the kitchen and washroom and shower to find not a drop there. Dead chuffed. Happy

     

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #39

    I've been reading with interest the posts on water draining:

    1 - Half open taps on Hot/Cold - Water Expansion.

    2 - Remove shower head and place in tray.

    3 - Empty toilet flushing cistern,

    What about systems like the Alde system, are they straightforward enough to purge of any remaining water?

    I would do this before leaving the last site and leave the drain valve open to try and shake out any residue on the way home. It also helps to blow down the taps and shower cord to blow out any drops of water that might not have drained out.

  • Johnc 26
    Johnc 26 Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited November 2016 #40

    As said in another post, I leave van on driveway on winterwheels and have an oil filled radiator, on a timer to come on evening and off in morning. You can alter the start and stop time according to the weather. It worked well over the last 2 winters.

    JC

  • Auchtavanner
    Auchtavanner Forum Participant Posts: 69
    edited November 2016 #41

    2 questions.

    1 - If your moving the MH every couple weeks at most the issues with tyres wont be a problem (will it?)

    2 - is it best to leave the MH plugged into the house 24/7? i have just plugged in for a little over 24 hours after it sitting for 2 weeks. is that sufficient?

     

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