Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

From Dolmen insurance

 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAUSSON
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Tipperary
Posts: 6813
Registered: 02 / 2012
My Motorhome: Knaus Sport Ti 700 UFB Silverline
Base Vehicle: Renault Master 150 dci Quickshift
Subject:

Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 17.11.2016  ·  #1
TIPS ON WINTER STORAGE FOR YOUR CAMPER VAN

Should we experience a bad winter many people may suffer damage to their Camper Van. For example, freezing pipes and damage to awnings are among some of the issues our clients face. Here are some handy tips to offset these problems which may occur.

IMPORTANT TIPS
The INTERIOR of your Camper Van should be kept clean and dry to prevent mould growing while you Camper Van is in Winter Storage.
After cleaning Fridge leave the door open allowing air circulation
Remove ALL bedding
Remove ALL Gas bottles and store safely in a garage or shed
Ensure you DRAIN ALL WATER COMPLETELY from your pipes (Water can become stale and obviously freeze causing considerable damage).
Remove ALL leisure batteries and store them safely in a dry place (Extreme cold can reduce battery life and affect the lifestyle of the battery itself)
If storage is in a rural location you may want to set some mouse traps as you don't want uninvited guests in your Camper Van
Leave all locker doors open to prevent damp/condensation
Close ventilation Grills but do NOT block fixed grills
The OUTSIDE of your Camper Van should be thoroughly CLEANED before you store it away. Remove any mud or dirt which can retain moisture leading to rusting.
Check your Tyre Pressure prior to Storage
Apply grease or oil to ALL hinges and mechanical parts. This repels water preventing freezing and saves you a job when the season begins again
Ensure your Awning is fully dry before rolling away for the winter
To prevent windows sticking to the rubber seals use some TALCUM POWDER
Have a proper Ice Scraper & Deicer in your Camper Van
If you have a waste tank under your camper EMPTY regularly
Consider raising the Camper Van with an Axle Stand
Ensure you have a WARNING TRIANGLE and WORKING FIRE EXTINGUISHER
AND FINALLY THE BEST TIP OF ALL IS TO TAKE YOUR CAMPER VAN OUT ON THE ROAD FOR A SHORT RUN ON A REGULAR BASIS THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.


ColinM
Craic Addict
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co. Armagh
Age: 43
Posts: 413
Registered: 10 / 2016
My Motorhome: Rapido 655F
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 18.11.2016  ·  #2
Thanks for the info, I've just got my first motorhome, this advice will hopefully help me prepare it for the winter.


The Rambler
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 50
Posts: 2346
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 21.11.2017  ·  #3
Hi all, this will be first time winter storage for me. So apart from all the steps you mention, should the goal be to keep the Motorhome as airtight as possible? My skylight is a little drought for example. I could insert some foil insulation. I could also cover over fridge vents etc.


mad max
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Galway
Age: 98
Posts: 5550
Registered: 04 / 2013
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 21.11.2017  ·  #4
The opposite i would do, open all inner doors to let air circulate and let in a bit of air to circulate, otherwise you may get mold


CHAUSSON
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Tipperary
Posts: 6813
Registered: 02 / 2012
My Motorhome: Knaus Sport Ti 700 UFB Silverline
Base Vehicle: Renault Master 150 dci Quickshift
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 21.11.2017  ·  #5
Quote by mad max

The opposite i would do, open all inner doors to let air circulate and let in a bit of air to circulate, otherwise you may get mold


Yes I would be of the same thinking as John, to add to list we also lift the bed a bit and let air circulate in to the storage compartment under it and we do the same with the cushions and the storage under them. The best practice I find is use it through out the winter.


nilrac
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Inishowen Co Donegal
Age: 86
Posts: 694
Registered: 10 / 2012
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 21.11.2017  ·  #6
Before you park up or store for the winter and even if you are using at the weekends, you should check your antifreeze strength and drain your boiler. It is cheaper to refill with water and drain on return than to pay for a new boiler.


The Rambler
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 50
Posts: 2346
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 22.11.2017  ·  #7
So I get the idea of opening fridge doors, cupboards etc., but on the idea of allowing some outside ventilation, the consensus is yes that is good?

I did run some heating and a dehumidifier for a few hours last weekend. The dehumidifier pulled the humidity from 90% to about 45%. So now I should allow some of that damp Irish air to flow through?

Cheers for the advise


2424
Craic Addict
Avatar
Gender:
Location: County Antrim
Age: 49
Posts: 438
Registered: 11 / 2012
My Motorhome: Autoroller 746
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato X290
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 22.11.2017  ·  #8
Why remove gas bottles - not something I would do?


ntg
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Portglenone. Co Antrim
Age: 24
Posts: 3822
Registered: 04 / 2012
My Motorhome: Autotrail
Base Vehicle: Comanche
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 22.11.2017  ·  #9
Quote by CHAUSSON

TIPS ON WINTER STORAGE FOR YOUR CAMPER
AND FINALLY THE BEST TIP OF ALL IS TO TAKE YOUR CAMPER VAN OUT ON THE ROAD FOR A SHORT RUN ON A REGULAR BASIS THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.


Chausson this is the one that i like most,i like to get our out most weekends during the winter.


Thorn123
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Laois
Age: 48
Posts: 2589
Registered: 07 / 2016
My Motorhome: Chasson flash 03
Base Vehicle: Ford transit 2.2
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 22.11.2017  ·  #10
Quote by 2424

Why remove gas bottles - not something I would do?


Butane gas freezes quite easily, so people are probably advise to remove the cylinder, in order to remove pressure in the gas lines.
We use propane but we don't bother removing the cylinder.
Just my thoughts.


The Rambler
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 50
Posts: 2346
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 22.11.2017  ·  #11
Say I wanted to switch from Butane to Propane, do I just change out the regulator or is there more to it regarding the appliances?


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 92
Posts: 7388
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 22.11.2017  ·  #12
Quote by The Rambler

Say I wanted to switch from Butane to Propane, do I just change out the regulator or is there more to it regarding the appliances?


Just the Regulator and you need to buy a propane cylinder, the suppliers don't usually do a swap .


AnchorPointMotorhome
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Age: 25
Homepage: anchorpointmotorho…
Posts: 24
Registered: 05 / 2016
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 01.12.2017  ·  #13
Hi folks,

Here's a blog post we have on winterizing your motorhome.

It might be useful.

https://www.Anchorpointmotorho…erris.html

Stay warm,
AP


TommyS
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Age: 20
Posts: 2094
Registered: 10 / 2017
My Motorhome: EuraMobil
Base Vehicle: Fiat
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 13.12.2017  ·  #14
All good advice. I would advise letting the air flow throughout the van. I run a 300watt tube heater in the double floor and leave the hatches open. I leave in gear and do not apply handbrake. Hook up keeps the batteries charged. I usually have a full tank of diesel and give it a good run every now and then to blow the cobwebs out


TommyS
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Age: 20
Posts: 2094
Registered: 10 / 2017
My Motorhome: EuraMobil
Base Vehicle: Fiat
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 30.12.2017  ·  #15
After giving the advice above I went out today to give the van a run and got that dreaded ‘click’. It wouldn’t start. The van battery doesn’t charge while on hook up so I got out the battery charger. I have 2 chargers and use an optimate one that trickle charges my motorcycles. I was told that it is better to trickle charge rather than blast it with a normal charger. My last battery that came with the van lasted 12 years and was regularly abused in this manner. Just can’t get the batteries nowadays Any Charging Gurus to offer advice?


Thorn123
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Laois
Age: 48
Posts: 2589
Registered: 07 / 2016
My Motorhome: Chasson flash 03
Base Vehicle: Ford transit 2.2
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 30.12.2017  ·  #16
If you can park your van facing south, pop into Halfords and buy small battery conditioner solar panel. If I'm right there are 3 different sizes from € 20 to €50. I pop the panel on the dash and charge the engine battery which is under my drivers seat. The panel that I have is a 6 watt, about the size of an A3 page.
Hopes that this will help.
Malcolm.
Ps, look at your insurance disk and it probably has the axa logo on it. Bring the disc into Halfords and axa costumers receive from 10% to 20% discount on purchases.


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 92
Posts: 7388
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Re: Winter Motorhome Storage Advice

 · 
Posted: 30.12.2017  ·  #17
Have a look at one of these ,the one I have fitted also can be connected with separate 12volt feed trough a switch to operate the relay manually to jump start the engine battery from the leisure one .
Victron Cyrix ct 120a 12/24v intelligent relay
Brand: Victron Energ

This intelligent voltage sensitive relay senses voltage on both engine start and leisure batteries - this allows automatic charging of the leisure battery when the engine is running (charging via the alternator) and automatic charging of the engine start battery when the leisure battery is being charged (via your onboard AC charger).

Protected against over temperature and over current.

Automatically recognises 12 and 24v systems

Over voltage disconnect

Negligible voltage drop ensures best charging profile.


Selected quotes for multi-quoting:   0

Registered users in this topic

Currently no registered users in this section

The statistic shows who was online during the last 5 minutes. Updated every 90 seconds.