WINTERISING YOUR MOTORHOME

[Jim]

This thread is for the general discussion of the Article Winterising Your Motorhome.

 

[Ridgeway]

After just arriving back from the last trip this season I’ll be getting the van ready this weekend for Winter. No i normally take out all liquids like shampoos, hair care stuff and all batteries or devices with built in batteries. Does everyone else bother to that extent or am I being OTT ?

 

[Gina M]

This thread is for the general discussion of the Article Winterising Your Motorhome.

I so need reminding of this, I will try to obey

Gina.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

We are lucky to be able to keep our van on the drive, so we just bring the duvets in, drain the water, leave taps open etc. Then every couple of weeks have the windows open on a dry day and periodically put the heating on for a couple of hours. Also have the EHU connected.

 

[Gina M]

Take out all clothing, it will get damp I have found in " Fun Time Frankie", and all food, especially dog food. I had mice chew through a really strong tub to get to the food, I was shocked it was so tough to get into, but they did!! keep the blinds closed and when there is a frost, I plug in a small oil filled radiator next to the sink/pipes

Gina.

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[Wee Bold Davy]

Drop down the self leveling legs to take the bulk of the weight off the tyres Leave the fridge open slightly to prevent mould

 

[Nanniemate]

Do drain down other than than that van is used through winter

 

[Jim]

Do drain down other than than that van is used through winter

We always use ours as much as we can throughout the winter. We have been caught out though,we lived high up on a hill in West Wales arriving home knackerd on a Sunday afternoon and just parked up. But temperatures plunged overnight to about minus 10 and we had a £70 tap break as it froze solid

 

[L' Hobo]

I use mine all through the year but drain down the water system in deepest winter and just use 2 x 2gal expandable water containers + occasional sites with EHU, showers etc.

 

[L' Hobo]

Take out all clothing, it will get damp I have found in " Fun Time Frankie", and all food, especially dog food. I had mice chew through a really strong tub to get to the food, I was shocked it was so tough to get into, but they did!! keep the blinds closed and when there is a frost, I plug in a small oil filled radiator next to the sink/pipes

Gina.

Sounds the ideal place for a Hobo (and Mouse),. Privacy with the blinds closed, stay fresh containers of food, shelter from the rain and wind + warmth on cold nights, ...........what was the address again?

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[Nanniemate]

We always use ours as much as we can throughout the winter. We have been caught out though,we lived high up on a hill in West Wales arriving home knackerd on a Sunday afternoon and just parked up. But temperatures plunged overnight to about minus 10 and we had a £70 tap break as it froze solid

Ouch, drain down completely and like L'hobo use water bottles if its a quick few days taps cost silly oney for what they are

 

[haganap]

Can you do one for getting your house ready too?

Nikki still not bloody got the heating on.. holding off till November and just keeps putting hats and coats on me

 

[Rocking Rivet]

As we keep our van on the drive, should we put the heating on in the van for a short time every day?

 

[L' Hobo]

As we keep our van on the drive, should we put the heating on in the van for a short time every day?

Mine too is on the driveway and, like the thread about air-fryers and how its much cheaper to heat a smaller area, I'm thinking us OAP's might have to think about living in the van this winter and just heating the bathroom in the house?

 

[paddymcc]

After just arriving back from the last trip this season I’ll be getting the van ready this weekend for Winter. No i normally take out all liquids like shampoos, hair care stuff and all batteries or devices with built in batteries. Does everyone else bother to that extent or am I being OTT ?

As you live in Switzerland I think that's v sensible.
I tend to follow the weather forecast in the UK and only drain down if ther is likely to be consistent/severe frosts. As the van is on the drive I can easily nip out to drain down and check the van temperature. I tend to keep a clip on the frost release valve as when it opens it also syphons out the main tank.

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[Wicked Welsh Lady]

As we keep our van on the drive, should we put the heating on in the van for a short time every day?

Sorry to be a newbie, but should I leave electricity on, assuming it will keep the batteries charged? Thanks for any advice please

 

[tonyidle]

Everything left from last trip. ALDE set at 5 degrees. EHU plugged in.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Be sensible take it to Portugal for the winter no problem.

 

[Jim]

Be sensible take it to Portugal for the winter no problem.

That depends. We parked up in march in mid Portugal and one morning had ice on the inside of the van!

 

[Vanman]

Sorry to be a newbie, but should I leave electricity on, assuming it will keep the batteries charged? Thanks for any advice please

There are many diffent ways to do it ... in the past I've left the boiler on 'frost guard' and not bothered draining down - ready for FUN at a moments notice. However the recent changes to leccy costs have made me think twice, with everything turned off the solar panel will drip charge the batteries - on a good day. I may plug the van in occasionally for a battery boost, if I think it needs it.

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[Gina M]

As we keep our van on the drive, should we put the heating on in the van for a short time every day?

In the deep of winter, I always keep a tiny oil filled radiator on in ours on low you would be surprised how warm it keeps the van as no doors etc. keep being opened.

Gina.

 

[Nirvanauk]

We take everything out of ours then wipe all smooth surfaces and cupboards out with diluted Dettol seems to keep the meeces away.

 

[Rocking Rivet]

Mine too is on the driveway and, like the thread about air-fryers and how its much cheaper to heat a smaller area, I'm thinking us OAP's might have to think about living in the van this winter and just heating the bathroom in the house?

We have had the same idea although I might pop back indoors for the loo and a shower. I hope it won’t be shut for cleaning!!!

 

[Nanniemate]

Sorry to be a newbie, but should I leave electricity on, assuming it will keep the batteries charged? Thanks for any advice please

Your avatar says you are ready to buy one if you have bought one use it as often as you can winter and summer. No sure what you mean by leaving leccy on if you leave anything on it will take power out the batteries or do you mean on ehu (hook up ) at home leaving that on on ? I used to leave mine plugged in and on but now rely on the solar but it is well used through the winter even if just for a day out

 

[poppycamper]

We use ours through the year.. so when winter approaches we empty tanks before we leave our current site. Leave tank drain valve open ( ye I know they will drip a little... naughty me ) open taps and let motion of van on way home drain all pipework.. Once home no EHU.. no heat.. open roofs a bit for ventilation.. open all cupboard doors and leave bedding etc in..
Before next outing top everything up, including battery. Simples

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[Wildbill]

All we do is leave the Gray tap open and drain the water tank blow air from compressor throug the line's.
We then carry bottles of water it were only doing a night out but if we do more we just fill up with water.
With the price of electricary we won't be using the frost protection
Bill

 

[Wicked Welsh Lady]

There are many diffent ways to do it ... in the past I've left the boiler on 'frost guard' and not bothered draining down - ready for FUN at a moments notice. However the recent changes to leccy costs have made me think twice, with everything turned off the solar panel will drip charge the batteries - on a good day. I may plug the van in occasionally for a battery boost, if I think it needs it.

Thanks for your reply, but I'm still not clear on whether its a good idea (and benefit) to leaving the motorhome plugged into electricity. I will switch everything off, so don't understand what electricity will help? Any advice please. Thanks

 

[L' Hobo]

Thanks for your reply, but I'm still not clear on whether its a good idea (and benefit) to leaving the motorhome plugged into electricity. I will switch everything off, so don't understand what electricity will help? Any advice please. Thanks

Your van will always consume a small amount of power even when everything is turned off, and your battery charge will decrease slightly so, it is better if you take it for a run of 25mls about one a fortnight (this will disturb any laying rain water etc and circulate air around the chassis, but if this is not possible, connect it to a EHU every 2-3 weeks for about 12 hours.

Some onboard charging systems allow you to keep it plugged in constantly, some do not, so, unless you know, do the above until Lenny tells you different!

 

[Reallyretired]

I drain mine down, but mainly rely on the solar to keep the batteries topped up, no problems unless it snows which is rare in South East England. Several mouse traps baited with Nutella (hate the stuff but mice like it).
Motorhome is in storage but i check it about weekly and drive it once a month as a minimum, being sure to have the aircon on. Keep the diesel topped up. I even keep 15 pairs of underpants and socks in it and there doesn't appear to be any problem (no room in my drawers at home.)

 

[CazPaul]

We never worry now when parked up. It’s gone from being totally cocooned in ice to being snug in there.

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