9 Touring Caravan Winter Storage Tips

Watching summer fade into winter means that you need to get your life prepared in order to manage the colder temperatures and frosty days. Should you have a touring caravan, this means you need to do even more preparation in order to get it ready for the colder months ahead. 

On that note, here are the top winter storage tips for your touring caravan. 

Empty the water tank

Most touring caravans will have a water supply tank, which might still be full of water from the warmer months. If so, you will need to drain the tank in preparation for winter so that any remains do not freeze. If the water inside the tank becomes frozen, you might have an issue. It could split the pipes or cause blockages, which will cause issues when you need hot water on the road. 

Flush the toilet pump

Likewise, you will want to flush the toilet pump to be free of bacteria and pollutants. Forgetting to do so could cause a buildup of calcium deposits, which could dry out your toilet system and cause it to mould, rot, or become brittle. Think of the smell too!

Have a clear-out

You might have accumulated a lot of stuff over the warmer months. If so, it will be time to do a clear out. The last thing you want is old food or musty cushions causing a smell during the colder and wetter months. Freshening up your touring caravan and getting rid of things you don’t need will make more room in your storage units to store blankets and more to help you stay warm, should you ever need to sleep your caravan over the winter.

Windows

Storing your touring caravan throughout winter can cause your windows and their leaks to become stiff. Therefore, before taking your caravan out make sure to lubricate and clean your windows before heading out on the road. The last thing you want is to get out on the road and realise that you cannot open the windows. 

Give it a clean

On the topic of your touring caravan being stored away over winter, it might need a good freshen up when you get it back out. Therefore, make sure to give it a good clean inside and out. Inside, it might have gathered some musty smells due to damp weather. Therefore, give everything a good clean and get the air circulation going to get it ready for touring again. 

To get ahead of yourself, you can give your touring caravan a good clean before you store it away for the winter. You can do this when you clear things out. You should remove all soft furnishings and store them somewhere dry so that they don’t become damp and start to smell. Likewise, leave the cupboards open so that the air can circulate well when it isn’t in use. This will help prevent a buildup of odours. 

Security measures

Whether or not you are storing your touring caravan in your home garage or at an external unit, make sure to take the right security measures so that your caravan is safe when you haven’t got your eye on it. A simple steering wheel clamp will make it safer when it is sitting there for a while. 

Covers

Not all touring caravans require external covers when they are stored away for winter. However, some might. It all depends on personal preference. The winter conditions can cause the bodywork to rust, especially if it is old or sat there for long periods. Therefore, a cover can keep the body warm and prevent rust from building up. 

Shut down the gas and electricity

Should your touring caravan have gas and electricity, ensure to shut it down before you store it away. It will make the vehicle much safer and also prevent freezing components when the weather gets cold. Don’t forget things like the alarm clock and gas oven as every small feature needs to be accounted for in order to attain the best results and safety. 

Keep the battery charged

Any type of vehicle can incur a flat battery when it sits around for a while and isn’t used. Therefore, make sure to charge the battery and turn the touring caravan on from time to time to ensure the battery is well maintained. Likewise, remove a leisure battery if it has one. This should be stored in a warm place to maintain its health and life.