Inside versus outside storage in winter.

Mr Bugs
Mr Bugs Forum Participant Posts: 8
edited February 2017 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Hi. My Missus and I bought our first Caravan ( Sprite Alpine) last September.  Having no space on our drive for permanent storage we were delighted to find inside storage in an unheated barn  in our Village for £8 per week.  However now we are moving ten miles up the road and have the chance if we wish to store the caravan in our front garden. I am inclined to store the caravan at our new place but the other half thinks we may be better off paying so we can use the barn in winter as this would keep the caravan in better condition.  To do this would cost over £400 per year.  We have a breathable cover for it and I do not mind spending money on an anti frost heater or a fan to help ventilation. Am I just being pennypinching or would the Van would be better off inside over the winter?

Comments

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited February 2017 #2

    Mr B, it'd be inside the Barn every time for me. More protection is better than saving money & a bit of conveniencesmile

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #3

    In 35 years of caravanning and motorhoming we have been fortunate that we have been able to keep our vans at home but not undercover. As a result its easy to do any small jobs at short notice and of course I can keep it connected to the electricity which is handy for keeping the leisure battery topped up. Perhaps a silly thing but its also handy being in the garden as an extra storage facility for Christmas food!!! Also if we have guests its not unknown for us the use the van as extra accommodation.

    David

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,044 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #4

    Same for us DK. Makes life so much easier. Wouldn't want it blocking view out or light coming in, but we keep ours at side of house, so no issues. If it was brand new, might be tempted by indoor storage, but sometimes barns bring their own issues. Rodents love them!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2017 #5

    At home for me as well. I would find that in storage was a PITA. Also would depends on access times to storage area if I were working

  • Mr Bugs
    Mr Bugs Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited February 2017 #6

    I suppose my main question  was" can the effects of damp and condensation be kept at bay as well storing outside as they could be in the barn".

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #7

    Keep it in under cover storage you can always bring it home for the odd day or two to do work or load,its possible you may also get cheaper insurance? and also if kept on the front of the house all the local heroes know you are away

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2017 #8

     Never suffered any effects from condensation in 35 years and 4 caravans.  I suppose that if you had a leak it would make a difference. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited February 2017 #9

    I keep mine at home and keep the heater running on minimum setting and a little ventilation from the vent in the kitchen area.  The downside of keeping it at home is that it is quite an advertisement that you are away when the caravan is gone.  I suppose that depends where you live if the security might be a worry. 

  • Mr Bugs
    Mr Bugs Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited February 2017 #10

    So is the breathable cover worth using, seems to me it hampers ventilation and causes a temperature imbalance neither of which are good for condensation.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited February 2017 #11

    My thoughts exactly Mr Bugs - I don't use a cover either and believe in keeping the windows on vent setting in most weathers. 

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
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    edited February 2017 #12

    It's a caravan, it's meant to get wet! 

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited February 2017 #13

    And they are not meant to leak but they do. If I had the choice of under cover or at home in full view of everyone, it would be under cover everytime. 

  • Seagull2
    Seagull2 Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited March 2017 #14

    Another issue and why I donot store my van at home, is that it acts like a great big billboard to any would be thief when you are away! I would always store away from home and undercover would be by far the best option.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #15

    In over forty years of handling insurance claims, although not majoring on household, I have never come across this. although it must be a minor risk. A lot depends on where your house is. If it is on a busy main road the risk is higher, as far more passers by who would see it on a regular basis, but at the end of a culdesac practically nil.

    Most break ins though are totally random and just down to luck.

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