Advice please, storing van for the winter
We wont be going away again now till the spring so as newbie caravanners what do we need to do to safely store our van over the winter months?
so far i have emptied out all the cupbords and left doors open includng the fridge and bathroom door,
toilet has been drained down
made sure the vents are not covered
all the blinds have been put down
left the bed with just a dust sheet over it
We live close to two large oak trees so have ordered a cover
What have we missed , or need to peridoically do ?
Comments
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Only drain water system down and leave taps open.Again give van a good airing every now and again.
You do not say what blinds you have,I would not leave the roller blind type down.If you have roller blinds leave them up and use curtains.
Like previous poster we use our van all year.
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If its going to be idle for 5/6 months then have a thought for the tyres, some put the axle on stands, some increase the tyre pressures and some move the van periodically and some don't bother but it's all to do with stopping possible flat spots or sidewall damage.
I also leave the van front or back biased away from level to stop pooling on the roof, drying out and becoming algae stained.
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If you store the c'van at home you could pop in now & again and perhaps introduce some form of heat and don't forget the battery it needs to be kept to a reasonable level of charge
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Leave all taps open and remove shower head and let shower hose dangle down. Leave boiler drain tap open .
Even the tiniest droplet of water can cause damage.
Leave hand brake off.
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Hi,
Being a newbie I was going to ask a similar question. From what's been discussed above may I ask:
- The battery is it worth removing it and bringing it inside?
- My van is parked on gravel so I was planning to get some wooden boards for the wheels to sit on. How frequently should it be moved? Moving are we only talking one foot either way to change the wheel position?
- Is it worth removing the toilet cassette?
- As with the OP we will get a cover - is it worth leaving a window on latch to help some air circulation?
Many thanks
Phil.
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When I had my caravan, I always jacked it up a bit on to wood blocks to take the load off the tyres.
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Philturner. I don't remove cassette over the winter, just give it a good clean out and ensure there is no water in it. Yes suggest you remove the battery and keep it charged up over the winter - unless you have a solar charger. Good idea to move caravan slightly at regular intervals over the winter. Never had a cover.
Agree with Fozzie re blinds, saves stress on the springs.
The basic principles about winter storage are: ensure ALL water is drained down; give inside and out a really good clean and, most importantly, ensure there is plenty of ventilation to all parts of the caravan by keeping the built in ventilation slots clear and by leaving cupboard doors open and mattresses upright (or at least pull them clear of the sides to improve ventilation). Leave the fridge door open. Regular visits to your caravan over the winter to give it a good airing is also advisable.
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Get a set of covers for the outside vents of your fridge. You should use these too if you are away in the van and the outside temperature drops below 5 C.
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We use our van all year round, but in between winter trips, I make sure the heating is on all the time - set to 10 degrees, plus the charger is on. (We keep it at home) Apart from making sure all the water is drained down (which it always is), I don't do anything else.
There is plenty of natural ventilation coming in through the floor vents etc, so no need to do anything special in that connection. Never had the slightest problem with damp or mildew etc and no sign of condensation whatsoever.
If it gets really cold, I turn the heating up for a few hours and give it a good blast. I know it costs a bit in extra electricity usage - but compared with the costs of putting any damage right, the costs pale into insignificance.
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We are always optimistic that we'll get another trip in, but invariably farm life prevents it. So the caravan sits in the paddock behind the house exactly as we left it after the last trip.
At some point (November/December?) we'll realise that the season is over for us and we drain the water etc and bring the bottles of booze inside.
That's it.
Feckless? But it works for us.
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Was thinking about axles, but the Volvo alternator went so that might have to wait till next year. Just the periodic moving of the caravan to spready out the wheel load.
Thanks for your replies.
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You can get axle stands for £15 in Halfords. Possibly cheaper elsewhere.
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Couple of breeze blocks/bricks and a plank of wood - even cheaper.
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Charge the battery once a month, preferably off-line with a decent multi-stage charger.
Put Talcum powder along the window rubber seals to stop sticking.
Lightly grease the toilet cassette seals with silicone grease (not Vaseline).
Dont leave the tiniest bit of water in the system, it could be expensive (I speak from experience). It’s good to go for a run with all taps and drains open to get rid of any water or use the proprietary systems for forcing the water out.
...and don’t even think of going away in a caravan when it’s cold and wet! Sorry folks, just my sensitive disposition.
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Agree with all of that! And can confirm that 'the tiniest bit of water in the system' can cause problems, as our shower fixture 'blew' due to ice inside the fitting, and would have cost so much to replace that it just wasn't worth it - particularly as we haven't used it once in eighteen years! We had drained down the system completely, bur forgotten that odd 'pockets' of water were held within the system and if they froze and expanded would blow the flimsy plastic that most caravan plumbing is made from. We capped off the system and forgot about it!
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I mentioned in my previous post about the shower head - this is the one part most people miss.
In fact I detach my shower head from it's hose and with every thing open I blow down the hose to hopefully extracate every little drop thay may be lurking in the "bends" and then leave the hose dangling down in the shower tray.
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I would add keeping your freezer compartment door ajar too. We use a small, lunch pack size, rigid ice pack, this in turn keeps the fridge door wide open. Once after the freezer has dried we did close it but there was a definite stale whiff! So we prefer to ventilated 😉
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Heres my check list
Plumbing
• Open all tank drain valves to drain onboard and external tanks, and leave open.
• Open the safety drain valve (yellow handle) next to water heater, and leave open.
• Fully open all the taps and shower mixer, move mixer position to the middle, and leave all taps in the open position.
• Unscrew the shower head and shower hose, shake out remaining water and allow water to drain. It is advised to leave the shower head and hose disconnected.
• Run pump for a short time, until all water is expelled.
• Disconnect the inlet pipe to the onboard water pump, mesh filter and outlet pipe, and re-run the pump for a short time, to ensure all the water is removed. Leave the system disconnected during storage.
• Fit the cowl cover to the Truma Ultrastore.
• Clean waste pipes and tanks using a sterilising fluid.
Electrical
If vehicle is being stored while connected to 230v Mains Hook-up:
• Ensure that the leisure battery is connected and the 20A local fuse(s) is connected.
• The isolator switch on PSU (where fitted) should be in the 'ON' position, however. the control panel should be switched 'OFF'.
• If Alde system is installed, there is a frost protection setting, which can be used.
• Vehicles can be left in this condition for extended periods, with the charger operating to maintain the battery. However, periodic maintenance and inspection is recommended, this should include the battery condition.
If vehicle is being stored not connected to 230v Mains Hook-up:
• Charge the leisure battery for 24 hours prior to placing caravan in storage.
• Ensure the isolation button on PSU (where fitted) is in the 'OFF' position.
• Ensure leisure battery is connected and 20A local fuse(s) is in place only if an alarm or tracker device is fitted.
• The alarm / tracking device will eventually drain the leisure battery - we recommend regular (monthly) inspection / re-charging of leisure battery.
• Remove the leisure battery and store in a dry place, if an alarm or tracker device is not fitted.
• The battery should not be adversely affected by winter temperatures but the level of charge should be maintained to maximise the life span of the battery. This can be achieved using an automotive type battery charger as and when required.
Gas system
• Ensure the gas supply is isolated at the gas bottle, and ensure that the gas manifold taps are off.
• Check the age and condition of the high pressure gas hose and regulator, and replace if required.
Appliances
• Check the battery expiry date on the smoke alarm and replace or remove as required.
• Ensure the fridge is turned off.
• Clean the inside of the fridge.
• Prop the fridge door open, and if possible, the internal freezer compartment door for ventilation.
• Fit fridge vent winter covers (if available).
• Ensure all hob / oven / microwave surfaces are clean.
• If the caravan is going to be left connected to 230v supply while not in use, ensure the microwave is unplugged.
Toilet
• Drain the toilet reservoir.
• Empty the toilet cassette.
• Leave toilet caps removed and apply acidfree Vaseline or similar to the seals.
• Drain the toilet reservoir.
• Empty the toilet cassette - The Thetford Cassette porta potti is easily winterised for storage.
• Empty the fresh water tank using the drain tube / fresh water tank level indicator (level indicator on electronic models only).
• Pull the lever indicator / drain tube down from top plug position and outward through door opening to drain water from the tank.
• Empty the water fill funnel by pulling the bottle away from tank.
• Remove the small water cap on the filler bottom, allowing water to drain from the water funnel. (Not C-200 toilet).
• Do not tighten caps, this helps in keeping unit dry. The pour out spout and vent plug can be removed. Seals should be greased if necessary with acid-free Vaseline.
Exterior
• Ensure that all windows, skylights and access doors are closed and secured.
• Ensure all fixed ventilation points (high and low) are clear from debris and obstructions.
• Ensure the vehicle is not parked where falling debris (i.e. leaves, tree sap) could cause damage.
• Avoid leaving the vehicle parked in soft ground, long grass or a potential area where standing water may form.
• Lubricate relevant points on the chassis.
• Remove road wheels, using the correct jack points and suitable axle stands, or if being left on road wheels rotate wheels (every two weeks) and ensure the correct tyre pressures are maintained.
• A purpose made cover maybe used, but please ensure the cover is a good fit, breathable and securely fitted. Note: A poorly fitted cover can rub and damage the bodywork. Non-breathable covers will encourage mould to grow.
Interior (Furniture / furnishings)
• Open all lockers and internal doors, to ensure good circulation.
• Remove cushions and store them in a dry location or ensure all cushions are placed in a well ventilated area.
• Close all blinds and curtains. Customers are reminded to check the tension on blinds after storage if left closed for long periods.
• Thoroughly ventilate the caravan or Motorhome by opening doors or windows periodically.
• Placing water absorbent crystals in the van during the winter months, will help reduce moisture levels and mould growth.
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A comprehensive list there, Whittakerr but not sure about your last point, see CY post above.
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Superbly comprehensive list, yes, thanks from here too!
Quite a lot of you mention taking the strain off the wheels. Our storage place is not the most expensive, but is local, reasonably affordable, appears secure, and is friendly and helpful, unlike some others round here, so we're inclined to go on using it.
The owner collects vans from a reception area, and tows them to his selected spot - it's a well drained grass field. So while I can visit it to ventilate & check it periodically, there's no chance for me to prop the axle, or other tyre protecting measures recommended here.The caravan's probably there from late Oct to early March. Is it worth trying to get him to move it every so often? It's not a service he's ever offered.
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@Whittaker .... It'll be spring by the time you've got through that lot and you'll be getting the 'van out of storage again. 😉😉
Just curious as to why you unplug the microwave 🤔
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Well, it gives me something to do in the long winter nights.
Only suggest to unplug the microwave if the van is left connected to the 230v mains during the winter. Just one of those better safe than sorry things.
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What I do to store my van for the winter is I pump pink antifreeze through the water system to keep the pipes from freezing after that I pull the leisure batterie and put it on the charger and clean the van inside and out and cover the tyres and the van and that all
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The only problem with rotating wheels/moving the van is that the insurance insist that both Alko Wheel locks (twin axle) are fitted when in storage. Not a straightforward task in itself removing and refitting these!
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You’d probably be better to put it up on axle stands.
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