New member needs advice

[moleman]

Hi guys, hope everyones well. Having been persuaded by my wife to invest in a motorhome, i agreed and we purchased an Elddis Evo 185 last April. Being newcomers to the Motorhome scene and after fumbling our way around several sites last summer (one of us loved and our 8 year old granddaughter thinks it’s sic ! whatever that means !) there were times when i needed a bit of advice with a few things. We currently have the MH parked on our drive and have it connected to the EHU so that i can use a small oil filled radiator while parked up. Sorry if this seems a silly question but is it ok to do this ?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Rob.

 

[KUSKUS]

If its all drained down you dont really need to heat it, just leave the roof windows open a bit to let air circulate.

 

[Mr porky]

It won't hurt.

 

[Innkeeper]

We use one of these when on a drive.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

It's fine. Worth noting how much power the heater takes given the escalating price of electricity, but setting it low just keep the frost out shouldn't break the bank.

More importantly, given that we are still getting some sharp frosts, be sure the water system including pump and boiler are drained off, as you can't absolutely guarantee the warmer air will get to them. If you need to check how to do that use the search function - there's a few threads to be found.

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[Kirsten]

We use one at times , also when on sites with ehu in the winter.lots of threads here about winter prep for vans - make sure water tanks empty, cupboards open to air, fridge not sealed shut.

 

[ontheroadagain]

It won't do any harm but to be honest I don't really see the point.
We have never done it to any of our motorhomes and never had any issues with condensation over the winter.
You might be surprised by how much electricity it will use and leaving it unattended could also be considered a fire risk.

 

[Bailey58]

Ours is on the drive but we never use a heater, plugged in occasionally to charge the batteries but even then rarely as we have solar doing the job. As said above, ensure the water is drained from the heater in these colder days.

 

[AG 2602]

Ours is stored on a farm so no access to any electricity. Solar keeps leisure batteries charged up and we have a small solar panel that sits in windscreen charging the cab battery but getting battery master fitted in March.
We take it out for a good run at least once a month just to keep everything moving.
Never really considered heating an empty van and had no issues with damp or condensation.

 

[Lenny HB]

Never heat ours when not using it, warm air holds more moisture so no point.

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[Riverbankannie]

It is fine to keep the heater there. I have a small fan heater. Mine is just on frost setting though so stops inside going below 1° I keep a max min thermometer to check I am not heating the van. I find it does help prevent condensation which our van is prone to without it.

 

[moleman]

Many thanks for the replies, drain down been done. I know the cost may be an issue in todays expensive climate so may decide to unplug.
Thanks Again.

 

[tonka]

My vote is with many of the above, in 20 years and 8 motorhomes never placed a heater in a van. Drain down the water, lift any cushions, open inside cupboards and that's it...

 

[autorouter]

One big difference between motorhome plumbing and house plumbing is that motorhome pipes and taps are exposed to frost, and are easily damaged by water freezing inside them and expanding. In many motorhomes the pipes are outside the main part of the vehicle, unless it's a specially winterised one designed for winter camping. Every year about March/April there are members reporting split taps, broken pipes and joints pushed apart by freezing water.

There are several threads on preparing a motorhome for winter layup, and it's common to ignore them. In the UK, depending in your location, you may be lucky and get away with it, but you are taking a chance.

To answer the question, an oil-filled radiator will be safe to use, but it won't stop the pipes from freezing. You need to drain out all the water from the pipes, and turn the taps to on, or the centre position if it's a mixer tap. Many people, myself included, go one step further and blow air through the pipes by one method or another, to remove residual water.

 

[the1andonly]

Its all been said already
no need to heat up the world.
edit crack open a skylight for ventilation
drain water, blow out remaining water through tap lines. expensive commercial floe thing or DIY method in resources area. a search may even bring up my method based on technos.
Move cushions off cold walls.
You havent got a drop down bed, but. i lower mine 3" to allow for air flow, sometimes even remove bedding if remember.
For Fiat engines it is recommended to change oil before starting if left for extended periods over a winter eg 3 months. It really is worth a 20 mile run every month.
If a fiat euro6 engine it will have an oil condition program within the ECU which has to be reset by programs such as multiecuscan or alfaobd (no amount of pissing about with keys and pedals does the job, no matter what youtube videos say))
When ready to explore again dont forget to retax if SORNed and check date of your MOT.

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[Geistguy]

We've been motor-homing for 32 years and use the "van" all year round so keep draining down is a pain. We have always left the van on hook up with a small convector heater (500w) on about half setting. We have never suffered condensation or damp. We do leave all cupboards and the fridge open.

 

[Snoopy]

We take our van out every couple of weeks, good run, drain down for the winter, taps open, fridge and freeze tray left what
cushions removed at present, hopefully leave in next season, cupboards left open, always put mouse trap in the engine bay next to the battery,,pesky mice! Have put copper spray on the fuel pipes( recommendations from a mechanic) won't chew through copper! so far so good.

 

[Glas Robin]

Our new (2018) van has now survived three winters in N Wales at 800 ft. We drain it down and plug in EHU to keep the battery topped up and that's it.

Never had an issue with condensation or anything else. When we open her up again, she still smells like new.

This year I forgot to empty the cassette though....