As were coming into winter the caravan is now in storage, cover on, hot water tank empty,filter removed.

What else do you guys usually do for the winter storage?

I'm thinking of removing wheels and hubs, so the tyres dont crack and I can service my hubs?

I'm thinking of making some winter wheels, ( the metal brackets that replace your wheels) could make you a pair for £25?

On behalf of Fredsredhat.. he means like these.
http://www.towsure.com/product/8527-Winter_Wheel_Set

Definately remove the wheels for winter.
Remember to open all the taps to allow the water tank to fully drain.
Lower the shower head (if fitted) so as to remove water from the shower pipe.
Don't forget to drain the toilet flush.

There's a useful article here (http://www.myfavouritecampsite.com/vB/showthread.php?t=1006) about winter storage.

Think I will pop up at the end of the week and remove my wheels then, I think I will pop them on some axle stands, but thanks for the offer.

Is it bad that I don't do anything? :blush:

That said, we do use it during the winter anyway. We don't let a bit of snow get in our way.

Is it bad that I don't do anything? :blush:

That said, we do use it during the winter anyway. We don't let a bit of snow get in our way.

I would reccomend draining your water at a very minimum, as once it freezes and swell it can split things.

I cover ours due to the fact that I spent so much time getting rid of damp, I dont want it back if I missed resealing a rail etc.

I would reccomend draining your water at a very minimum, as once it freezes and swell it can split things.

I cover ours due to the fact that I spent so much time getting rid of damp, I dont want it back if I missed resealing a rail etc.

I've heard about this sealing thing. I think maybe I should get someone in to do mine.

I did consider at one point using a cover but was told a story that put me off whereby someone who was using one pulled back the cover and found everything inside the van was covered in a green mould. :gag:

Draining the water? I realise I might sound a bit dim, but what do you mean?

I've heard about this sealing thing. I think maybe I should get someone in to do mine.

I did consider at one point using a cover but was told a story that put me off whereby someone who was using one pulled back the cover and found everything inside the van was covered in a green mould. :gag:

Draining the water? I realise I might sound a bit dim, but what do you mean?

resealing your rails isnt a hard job you just need plenty of elbow grease some white spirit, a tube of sikaflex 512, a roll of mastic and some stainless screws, if you have somebody in be prepared to pay a lot of money

drain the water out of your system and pipes leave the taps open,
also if you have a hot water tank this needs draining there will be a drain valve somewhere just running the hot tap does not drain your tank fully, as if you leave the water in and it freezes up things will swell and cause your van untold damage and wont do your wallet much good either

a good tip i was told was to put a bowl with salt,or absorbant crystals this soaks the damp up..and takes away any bad smells.iv tried it and it works fine

and leave the fridge door open so it can dry out..kills mildew and remove any type of food..tea bags ect..attracts mice-mould..remove gas bottles..and wd40 conectors that plug into car for towing..and lube up cables...i have a motor home.so i do simular things when it goes into storage...i also take bedding out......

they have salt trays especially for damp in wilkinsons at the mo, also at this time of year before you lock down for the winter, a little antifreeze down the loo/sink between visits

and remove tha battery..and charge it though the winter...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

well have you done it yet as jack frost is about and snow is on its way....

a good tip i was told was to put a bowl with salt,or absorbant crystals this soaks the damp up..and takes away any bad smells.iv tried it and it works fineI did exactly the same in my early days of caravanning, but it does no good at all.

Yes...the salt or chrystals will absord moisture.
And you can empty the contents feelig smug that you collected it.

The sad fact is that the moisture is from the air.....and not from the fabrics of the caravan.

If the caravan is well sealed and has no damp penetration, it's best left alone.
Ensure all the air vents are open to allow good ventelation and it will be fine.

Any bad smells are due to damp penetration....a leaking awning rail, or whatever.
The problem needs to be sorted....a bowl of salt is not the answer.

As were coming into winter the caravan is now in storage, cover on

Putting a cover on your van is probably the worst thing you could do to it, blocks all the air vents up ‘their there for a reason’ it also blocks the light out that will promote the growth of mold in side & out side of the van (think where mushrooms grow best) and when it’s windy tiny particles of grit that will be trapped under it will scratch your windows & paint work.

The best place you could store it would be an open (all sides) barn or a carport.

Ukcampsites web site has a really good checklist . Different things apply asd to whether you are storing it over winter or usimg it from time to time . This web site has a brilliant forum and really helpful members as well . One thing I always do even if we are going to use it is to unscrew shower head as it can crack if frozen water inside . Cheers Siobhan

Been under cover (breathable cover) for a few month now and I went and checked on it and everything is fine, slight moisture inside, but I think that was due to how cold it is, no mold, damp or water ingress so i'm happy with my cover.

Checked again yesterday and all is still fine, no damp, no mold, dry as a bone. My cover is breathable and does allow light penatration of such so seems ok.

Will soon be time for the first run.

Checked mine today too...dry as a bone.
I'm not a believer in covers having heard so many tales of scratched plastic windows. Maybe you could comment if the cover has damaged the caravan after it comes off this year?

Without a cover it needs a good clean after the winter, but that's all part of the fun of caravanning.

Checked mine today too...dry as a bone.
I'm not a believer in covers having heard so many tales of scratched plastic windows. Maybe you could comment if the cover has damaged the caravan after it comes off this year?

Without a cover it needs a good clean after the winter, but that's all part of the fun of caravanning.

TBH my caravan is pretty old, and already full of scratches and dents so I doubt I would be able to tell if there were any new ones, my main reason for the cover is spending a considerable amount of time last year rebuilding the front to remove damp.

All re-sealed but I just want to be sure no more leaks.

Although I doubt there would be any new scratches, the cover is made of a soft material ( a bit like felt), and is breathable.

We find we have some dampness in the caravan and we're told it can be expensive to have someone repair it. Can anyone advise us where to start with sorting it please? I've noted sikaflex and white spirit but would appreciate it if anyone could advise us just what to do with it

We find we have some dampness in the caravan and we're told it can be expensive to have someone repair it. Can anyone advise us where to start with sorting it please? I've noted sikaflex and white spirit but would appreciate it if anyone could advise us just what to do with it

post whatever problem you have here http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_forum_topics.asp?ForumID=31 and somebody will no doubt be along to help you
i have had plenty of experience repairing damp caravans and the first thing you should do is find out where it has been leaking and stop anymore water getting in, the second thing is strip it out and dry it out [you have to be brutal] and then the good bit rebuild it, dont rush take your time and do it right!!!

There's also a really good site here (http://www.caravanning4u.co.uk/forum/index.php) that has loads of information.

Hope you get sorted.

Thank you....that site seems to have lots of advice. I've made lots of notes :-)

Try contacting Parkway Secure Storage; they have a list of caravan repair specialists at their caravan storage compound.... 0114 2449541