How to Winterise your Caravan for Storage

General 

Remove all clothes, bed linen and soft furnishings that could be affected by damp and clean caravan thoroughly inside and out. Remove all food from the fridge and cupboards and leave doors slightly ajar to prevent musty odours. Spray WD40 on any piano hinges. Securely close all windows and roof lights and use a maintenance spray to avoid sticking seals. Check fixed vents are not obstructed and consider using a dehumidifier to prevent damp occurring. Close all blinds and curtains for security. Fit the chimney cowl with a cowl cover to prevent ingress of rain, sleet or snow. 

Wheels & Chassis 

Jack up the caravan using bottle or screw jacks to just remove the wheels from the ground (do not use the corner steadies). Support the axle using stands so the wheels are just off the ground. If preferred, the wheels can be removed and the vehicle supported using a stand that bolts directly on to the wheel hubs such as Winterwheels. This can also be fitted with an immobilising plate to minimise theft. Lower the corner steadies to just touch the ground but not take any weight. For added security, consider locking the steadies. If the wheels are left on, correctly inflate the tyres, chock the wheels and cover the tyres to prevent degradation. Rotate periodically to lubricate the wheel bearings and consider fitting wheel clamps for security. Release the handbrake; check the hitch is fully extended to ensure there is no load on the braking system, grease the coupling and cover for protection. Consider a hitch lock to prevent theft If the site is in an area exposed to high winds, consider anchoring the chassis securely to the ground. 

Water Systems 

To prevent frozen water damage over the winter months, the whole system must be drained down following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Drain all water carriers completely and leave the plugs off to avoid unwanted smells 

Carver Cascade System 

Warm the heater to assist in draining 

Unscrew the drain plug located on the outside of the flue cowl and leave removed. 

If fitted, activate cold water drain plug which is normally found under the caravan near to the water inlet socket. 

Open all hot and cold water taps to allow water to drain to outside. Leave control on dual taps in central position and leave open. Should the vehicle require towing after draining, by leaving all taps and drain valves open, the vehicle movement will assist in removing all water from the system.

Remove tap spouts and shower heads by unscrewing and shake dry 

Remove submersible pump and water filters (if fitted) and shake dry. Should non return valves be fitted anywhere in the system, pipe work must be disconnected at those valves to ensure complete drainage. 

Truma Ultrastore System 

Isolate the water pump from the power supply. 

When water is cool, open the safety/drain valve and leave open. 

Open all hot and cold water taps to allow water to drain to outside. Leave control on dual taps in central position and leave open. Should the vehicle require towing after draining, by leaving all taps and drain valves open, the vehicle movement will assist in removing all water from the system. 

If a submersible pump or a water filter is fitted, ensure that they are fully drained. Should non return valves be fitted anywhere in the system, pipe work must be disconnected at the valves to ensure complete drainage. Should the caravan be stored for a long period, the caravan should be fully serviced before use. 

Cassette Toilets 

Add some lubricant to toilet slide and leave open to prevent it sticking. Empty and rinse out the toilet and drain the fresh water flush part of the toilet system. The top tank should be drained via the drain point which is normally inside the external door Electrical Disconnect the battery and put it in a garage or shed where it can be recharged every couple of months. Alternatively, invest in a smart charger which will monitor the state of the battery and top up as necessary. Spray WD40 on all of the electrical connections. Gas Remove all gas cylinders if practical and store in an adequately ventilated location. If left in situ, ensure that all cylinders are fully turned off and the gas compartment is locked. Butane gas starts to freeze at temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius whereas Propane does not. Awnings Ensure awnings are clean and dry before storage otherwise they will suffer from mildew or possibly rot. 

Caravan Protection 

For added protection there is the choice of applying a liquid protection or purchasing a tailor-made cover. With a liquid protection such as Fenwicks Overwintering Fluid, the van is washed thoroughly and the liquid applied and left to dry. This will then protect against algae, mould, fungus, airborne pollutants, acid rain and bird lime. It will not crack in frosty conditions, wash off with rain or snow, or melt in warm sunshine. Once the vehicle is brought out of storage the liquid is simply washed off with the appropriate cleaner. If the choice is a cover, it is imperative that it is constructed in a soft breathable fabric and is purposely made for the job. It is specifically designed to protect the paintwork and windows and its breathable properties will prevent damp occurring within the vehicle.  

Hopefully the tips and caravan accessories mentioned in this article will assist you in protecting your caravan over the winter months and you will return to find it in ‘tip top’ condition at the return of spring 

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“Touring’s such a Pleasure when you Trust in East Coast Leisure”

Security Systems for Caravans and Motorhomes

Worried about losing your pride and joy? 

By following the advice below you can help not only deter theft, but should the worst happen and the vehicle is stolen, greatly assist in its recovery 

Caravan & Motorhome Security Marking – Security marking not only assists the Police to identify and return stolen caravans but can also be a deterrent to thieves. 

Identification Numbers -Since 1992 all National Caravan Council (NCC) recognised manufactures have had the 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped on to the vehicle chassis and etched into the windows.

Pre 92 vehicle owners should consider marking their caravan in the same manner as the prospect of having to replace all the glass to avoid identification is a powerful deterrent. It is also worth using a permanent marker pen to mark your chassis number or postcode inside all cupboards and lockers. The caravan roof could also be marked with your postcode in order to identify your vehicle from the air.

 Mark items of value within with the vehicle with your postcode or some other unique identifying number. Keep a note of any serial numbers and have them linked to a recognised database. You could also take photographs of your caravan and its interior fittings for identification purposes. For further information about marking schemes contact your local crime prevention officer. 

Electronic Tagging – With electronic tagging, tiny tags are concealed in random locations within the interior and exterior of the caravan and the unique ID number is registered with the tag manufacturer. This information is made available to the police who by using a electronic scanner, can match the tag number against a database and identify the legal owner. As these tags are so small, it unlikely that a thief would be able to find and remove them all, so the vehicle is always identifiable. All caravans manufactured since August 1998 in the UK have these tags fitted as standard 

Trackers – Although locks and alarms can be a good deterrent, these can often be overcome by a determined professional thief. A GPS tracking system which transmits and pin-points the exact location of the vehicle can aid the Police and lead to the fast recovery of a stolen caravan. Although they are quite expensive, they can also be very effective deterrents as the thief has to locate and disable the device before making off with the vehicle. By taking the above precautions you will not only help minimise theft in the first place, but should your vehicle be stolen, you will greatly assist the police making a full recovery and in apprehending the thief. You will also make identification easier when recovered which will assist them in a achieving successful prosecution. 

http://www.east-coast-leisure.co.uk

“Touring’s such a Pleasure when you Trust in East Coast Leisure”