By William Coleman
As summer starts to wind down the weather goes from bright and sunny to grey and rainy. It’s the time of year we all dread as motorhomers and caravanners, storage season! We all must start to prepare our motorhomes and caravans for the autumn and winter months that lay ahead. Here is a list of basics and essentials you need to consider when storing your vehicle for winter.
Preventing Damp
With the rapid change in temperature from warm to cold condensation will soon start to form anywhere it can. Once the condensation drips down the interior windows and dries you will start to see and smell the effects of mould. Something that has an awful lingering smell and will simply spread if not dealt with swiftly. Some heating with fresh dry air in and out is one way of dealing with it. Or an easier, but more costly way, is to use a dehumidifier. But to be cost effective means a lot more attention or a regular basis.
Interior Preparation
Always remove as many unnecessary items as possible. Clothes, bedding, cushions or anything that might absorb moisture, aids the damp issue too. Leave all the doors and cupboards open to keep them aired as you do not want a musky odor. This is good practice which will aid you in removing anything that does not need to be stored during winter. A full clean will also help out alot, nothing worse than finding old food come spring. Ensure that nothing that will deteriorate over the winter is left inside. A full clean should include surfaces, floor vacuumed, cold storage empties/cleaned and removal of anything that will lead to damp or rot.
Exterior Preparation
The weather is the enemy number one when storing your motorhome or caravan over the winter. Despite the typical grey winters we have in the UK we can get extended periods of sun, without the heat. Although it the heat may not be there the UV rays are still doing their job. Sun rays can fade the colour of any vehicle, especially when left idea for several months. When you are detailing the outside give all the locks a good clean and a spray with WD40 or a suitable lubricant oil.
I would recommend giving the home a good clean with a wax to finish. This will give the home an extra layer of protection from the elements. When cleaning the exterior check for any cracks or dents that may have occurred without your knowledge. If you don’t spot a crack then you run a huge risk of leaks. And the best advice and the most simplist will be to invest in a good cover. Keep the home nice and tucked up for winter.
Engine Care/Batteries
A battery can die a death if left unattended for an extended amount of time. So a regular engine turn should do a world of good and ensure that the battery doesn’t seize up on you. Plugging the home into store power once a month, for around 8-10 hours, will help keep coach batteries in good shape. If you are not planning the use the home after winter I would advise you to simply remove the battery. You can charge it at home and if the temperature plummets you will not have a frozen battery. A discharged battery will freeze a lot quicker than a full battery.
These are just a select few of the checks that you can do. Most people have their own routine that they like to stick to but it is always good to check the basics listed above. Once winter is over and you want to start using the leisure vehicle, provided you’re not a winter motorhomer, it is always advisable to get a service done to check everything is in full working order.
