Advice please, storing van for the winter
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That could be just as awkward, TW, if space is tight at the storage area, although of course it need only be done once.
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Hmm, good point.🙂
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after reading the above comprehensive checklist I reckon it must be far easier to keep on touring
while I realise everyone's circumstances are different, making use of something like a caravan (and certainly a MH with many more oily bits) must be better for it than leaving it for months in the cold and the wet, whatever winter 'precautions' one adopts...
there was a post earlier in the thread suggesting trying winter touring...
again, this wasn't what the OP was asking for, and many do other ('holiday') things in winter time, but a couple of winter trips will keep things in the van ticking over far better than leaving it unused for many months.
if there's going to be an issue, you can bet it will be whe the van is removed from storage.....hmm, it was working when we last used it....
even if the van doesn't get used in anger (winter touring, certainly in the cold UK, doesn't appeal to everyone) then perhaps the firing up of kit like the boiler, heater, fridge, electrics etc from time to time will keep things in good fettle and raise earlier awareness as to any developed issues...
good luck with the van....
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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.
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with equal respect
, TW, heating systems of caravans and MH are generally the same (as are much of the electrical components) and in my experience these appliances benefit from being used not left idle...these can easily be checked without refilling/draining the water system and some without access to an EHU.
im sure the majority of issues are found on the first trip after a long period of non use....
I realise that many caravanners (and some motorhomers) do just leave their pride and joy standing idle for many months...
just my personal choice that I'd be doing periodic 'equipment' checks even during downtime...it's easy for me, I pop into the van more than once a week even when not using it.....loading/unloading things and checking battery condition as I enter, using lights if dark etc, etc
whatever our differences on this point, it will be down to each owner to decide what works best for them and perhaps the location of the storage location (on the drive?) might make this easier for some....
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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.
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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?
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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?’😂😂😂
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Course they do 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪
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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,
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+1 there
People should perhaps only post on the model they have experience with?
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Btw, what do you imagine dealers do with the caravans left on their forecourts over the winter months?
obviously, they just let the issues arise as they do and let the poor customers get them sorted 'at the next service'....
then those customers come on CT and tell us all what a crap caravan industry we have....
as I said, it's neither here nor there what we think, the OP will do what he thinks he needs to....
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im sure you're right in that many vans don't move during long storage periods
....and I'm sure I'm right in that most of the issues owners get will be after they pick them up from storage after long periods of non use....
in my experience, most equipment benefits from regular use.
i realise this isn't possible for everyone but if my van was in storage for six months (and not at home on the drive where I can access it readily) I would be popping over to the storage site once or twice in that time to check all is well.
The last thing I would want is to get the van ready for the first trip and find something that I could have checked beforehand was now an issue.
even worse if it's one that might force a change of plan.
notwithstanding my present leg wear, I've always been a belt and braces guy...
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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.👍🏻
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Yep, pretty much what I was saying.
There you go, David, we agree.😀
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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!!
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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! ;-)
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