Advice please, storing van for the winter
Comments
-
That could be just as awkward, TW, if space is tight at the storage area, although of course it need only be done once.
0 -
Hmm, good point.🙂
0 -
A caravan will be fine if left unused over the winter months, BB. With respect, you’ve never had one and not been in that position but for many years we had a series of caravans in storage and all we did was to give them a good clean inside and drain the systems and remove the battery. Leaving a van with the handbrake off should avoid any seizing of the brake mechanism and, although not ideal, the tyres will survive if the wheels can’t be turned/lifted. To visit every few weeks and check is an idea but another school of thought suggests even that is likely to invite warm damp air into the van.
A MH, on the other hand, is a different matter and the rolling bits need to be used but this needs only to be a few miles every few weeks.
0 -
A MH, on the other hand, is a different matter and the rolling bits need to be used but this needs only to be a few miles every few weeks.
Much like our tow car. rarely used for 8 months of the year other than if I visit youngest daughter and grandkids when I choose that as we usually all go out somewhere or if Fliss is using the other car. So occasionally I use the X-Trail to give it a move.
0 -
I’m just quoting from my own personal practical experience, BB, gained over many, many years.
Been there, done that, as they say.
Btw, what do you imagine dealers do with the caravans left on their forecourts over the winter months?
3 -
Would I be right in saying-‘they take each & every one of them for a tootle around periodically to keep the moving bits free from seizing?’😂😂😂
1 -
Course they do 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪
0 -
If our storage site is the norm very few LVs move from about the end of September round to March/April,as noted when looking at them getting more dowdy as the months go by, most of the motor caravans are stored round the perimeter and it is full all winter, as is most of the c/van pitches and as each time you remove or return your LV you need to sign in the storage log book,
0 -
+1 there
People should perhaps only post on the model they have experience with?
2 -
Yes, DD, I am well aware of that engineering theory which is why I always advise people not to store MHs long term without giving them an outing now and again.
One has to apply a sense of proportion though, as caravans do not have the same quantity of moving parts as MHs and are not so easily moved and used. It’s a balancing act and the OP is, indeed, being sensible but there really is no need for it to be a song and dance as was suggested earlier. It’s not a case of use it or lose it but of applying common sense.👍🏻
0 -
Yep, pretty much what I was saying.
There you go, David, we agree.😀
1 -
Our van is on farm storage and I drove the 10 miles today to put it to bed for the winter as it was a lovely, warm, sunny, calm day. Just what you want when fighting a 7.20m caravan cover on your own.
Van drained down after last trip so just removed battery and put van on axle stands and then the bag over the top....which was snug and dry 10 miles back in our garage!!!! Off to docs for senility test!!
1 -
Yes is is tight but not impossible and although the wheels will be off of the ground, the locks will still need to be in place in order to satisfy the insurance requirements....More use is the real answer and that is the one we are working on! We have leg locks on each corner, another 2 Nemesis wheel locks on the other side and a hitch lock - Machine gun turret arrives next week! ;-)
1
