7 November 2022
Preparing for end of Season storage
It’s that time of year again when you may need to start thinking about preparing your caravan for Winter storage. There are many aspects that contribute to the smooth-running of your caravan whilst touring, some of which are easy to overlook, but it is imperative that these become at the forefront of importance prior to closing up shop for the Winter months.
If you don’t properly prepare your caravan for winter, come next Spring when you want to hitch up you may get some unexpected surprises. Although your caravan has been stationary for months on end, there can be complications caused by the lack of use such as tyre damage, battery issues or slow taps.
As the manufacture and the technology within caravans have changed throughout the years, the methods and processes completed to prepare caravans for Winter have adapted accordingly.
Draining your caravan down
The most important part of preparing your caravan for winter is to drain down the water system. It is recommended to extract all the water out of the cold and hot water system and leave the taps open over winter. With the taps open in freezing conditions the pipes are less likely to expand and cause problems or damage.
The process involves building up air pressure within the water system with the taps closed (maximum 15 psi), then opening each tap. To extract all of the water from the caravan you may have to complete this process around 3 times per tap for both the cold and hot water system.
Check over your caravan’s electrics
It is recommended to use a silicone-based moisture inhibitor on your electrical hook up prior to putting your caravan into storage. The solution sits over the pins of the socket and reduces the chance of corrosion whilst the caravan is not in use through the Winter months. This can take 20 seconds to complete but will save you a lot of time when it comes to hitching up in Spring.
Your handbrake and tyres
It may come as a shock to learn that despite covering hundred of miles throughout your touring season, your tyres are actually most vulnerable when stationary. The pressure on a singular section of the tyre for an extended period of time can cause damage. It is advised that you move your caravan slightly every so often throughout the Winter months to ensure that the pressure is not on one section. If you do not have the capacity to move your caravan, you could use a jack to carefully lift the mobile home, and rotate the tyre using your hands.
It is also important to leave your handbrake ‘off’ whilst storing. Again, this may sound a little backwards, but whilst the caravan is not moving, it has been reported that the handbrakes have a tendency of ‘sticking’, which make it very difficult to release when required. Where possible, it is sensible to leave your caravan on a flat surface and secure the wheels without the use of your handbrake.
Keep your leisure battery charged
We know that the cost of living has risen, and as a result of this you may be reluctant to charge a leisure battery that you may not be using for some time, however it is important to keep your caravan battery sufficiently charged and active throughout the Winter months.
If you store your caravan away from your home, then it is understandable that this may not be possible. But if you have the luxury of storing your caravan at home, we advise to charge your leisure battery for around 5 hours a day.
The most convenient way of doing this is to use a timer. You can set the timer to allow charging for an allocated time throughout the day, which means you do not need to worry about turning the socket on and off.
Toilet and other seals
The seals around your toilet and windows also require attention prior to storage. During the cold months, it is common for these seals to become brittle and dry over time, which cause them to break and potentially leak. To prevent this, you can purchase a simple oil seal, or even use some olive oil to coat the rubber edges and keep them supple.
Choose a sensible spot
If you have an area at home that you are able to store your caravan over Winter, then make sure that there are no overhanging trees above. The damp and residue from the leaves and bark can cause discoloured moss to grow around the seals and edgings of your caravan. Despite a thorough scrub before storing, the moss can stain in areas.
If you are unable to avoid an overhanging tree, then it is advised to purchase a caravan cover. This way you can keep your caravan safely sheltered from anything that may discolour it.
Once you have followed all of these steps, your caravan will be ready to use, hassle-free come Spring and you will soon be back on the road in no time!
If you decide to upgrade your vehicle this winter, Towbar Express can install your new vehicle with a Towbar on your doorstep. We can also test all of the Towbar electrics using a Test Board, which will ensure you can set off without a ‘hitch’ when collecting your caravan from storage.
If you have any further questions regarding a Towbar or Towing your caravan, call our friendly sales team today on: 0800 328 0592.
