What To Do With a Motorhome In Winter

If you aren’t planning to utilize your motorhome during the winter months, make sure to make it ready for winter storage, to protect your vehicle from weather and elements.

Rodents and damp, damage from frost battery maintenance as well as theft are serious concerns for motorhomes that is left in a garage for long durations during winter months.

A well-maintained motorhome inside storage during winter will make it more able to prepare for the new season that lies ahead.

Before you put your motorhome in winter hibernation, it’s always an ideal idea to have it checked and serviced, as well as an inspection of the habitation especially if you have concerns regarding the mechanical aspect of your motorhome, or one of the electronic systems on board that the motorhome runs.

Winter storage

Pick the location to place your motorhome during the winter months with care, and remember that it’s just the motorhome in hibernation, not a determined theft or burglar!

If you are storing it at your home, and if it’s possible it is possible to park your motorhome so that it isn’t visible from the roadside. It should be parked nose-first against a wall to ensure that potential thieves aren’t able to pull it away. You could think about creating a barrier by locking gates or a drive-post that thieves must cut it in order in order to steal the motorhome. Security lighting that is well-lit and a well-placed CCTV camera could be a deterrent for thieves.

If you are storing on the storage site, make sure you be sure to scrutinize the security measures being put in place and ensure that they are compliant with your motorhome’s insurance specifications. In the minimum, make sure the facility has 24 hours secured access control gate or fences with high-quality perimeter fencing.

Beware of obvious dangers such as storing your motorhome under trees, where branches may fall onto the vehicle, or on an location with a high water table, which could cause flooding. You might want to consider a motorhome cover in order to protect your motorhome from being covered by leaves and sap from trees. The cover could be a security measure, as thieves are not being able to identify the model and make of the vehicle under the cover.

Security of motorhomes

Motorhome theft is a worry for every owner and you should have adequate security in place to prevent theft and stop a burglar from getting.

Other physical security measures that hinder a burglar like steering lock on the wheel or pedal locks like Clutch Claw, motorhome wheel clamps, and lock locks for gear sticks. Check out our guide to motorhome security for some tips on how you can secure your campervan or motorhome from burglary

Review your motorhome insurance policy to determine the specific conditions or terms for the time you leave your vehicle in the unsupervised area for security equipment and security systems

If you have electronic security, such as an alarm or motorhome tracking device, it is essential to ensure that the battery that powers the device is charged throughout the day. Certain alarms and tracking devices will notify you if there’s a power outage but it may become too late. The topic of batteries will be discussed in more detail later down.

Make sure that the subscriptions to tracking systems are current, so that your motorhome is monitored and that you’re covered.

Preventing damage from frost

The motorhome drainage system is vital to prevent frost damage when you put your vehicle in winter storage. It’s also part of your insurance policy for motorhomes to flush out between November 1st until March 15th.

It’s helpful that you tilt the motorhome to ensure that you can see the valves for drain located at the lowest place. Go through the manual of the manufacturer for any questions about which valves are. Switch on the outlets for the waste and fresh tanks. Also, turn on all the internal taps which includes the shower.

It is possible to make use of devices, like Floe that has an air compressor that can blast out every bit of water. After draining out, keep all taps on and in the instance of mixer taps, place them somewhere between cold and hot.

Unhook the showerhead and give it a shake, then place the head and tube on the tray of the shower.

While you’re in your shower, clean the shower area, wash the walls and basin Put plugs into the drains to keep any smells from getting into the bathroom and then drain the water from the toilet. You’ll learn how to accomplish this in the handbook of the manufacturer.

Be aware of any shower that is outside! It is necessary to empty from the tank for water, the tank onboard along with the grey tank. Don’t forget about the external pump. You could keep it in your motorhome. Remember to flush any internal pump. If you own an “wet” heating unit, follow the instructions of the manufacturer for winterizing.

The toilet cassette should be left open and then lubricate the seal using the spray made of silicon.

Housekeeping for winter storage

A bit of homework is necessary when setting up your motorhome during winter.

Clean and empty the fridge according to the guidelines of the manufacturer making sure that you leave the fridge as well as the freezer compartment doors slightly open. Give the hob or oven an all-over clean.

Clear the food storage areas cleaning out any food debris to prevent insects squeezing inside to search for food. Give the kitchen a an enjoyable time using a vacuum and don’t forget to clean the curtains and upholstery.

If carpets can be lifted, mop the floor as well. Unlock all cupboards and lockers in order to let air circulation.

You can take out the cushions in the event that you have somewhere warm and dry to keep they at home or shift them into your van so that air circulates around them.

The blinds, curtains, and doors to cupboards open can show prospective thieves that there’s nothing worth trying to steal.

Be sure to take away all valuable electrical equipment and portable devices, as well as personal documents such as the owner’s handbook or motorhome insurance certificates.

Take off any clothing, bedding cushions, towels, and bedding. It’s recommended to get rid of any unneeded leaflets that you’ve gathered while traveling and also remove any personal papers or photographs that you wouldn’t wish to ruin due to damp.

Crystals that absorb moisture help minimize the chance of condensation. However, they’ll need periodic replacement.

After the inside has been cleaned and drained it’s time for focusing at the exterior.

Clean the exterior of the motorhome by using special shampoo, then apply a wax or an over-wintering solution that acts as the vehicle with a protection against winter.

Clean all glass and windows to sparkle. Then ensure that the seals are properly lubricated using silicone lubricant to safeguard and provide nourishment to the rubbers. Make sure that the solar panels are clear of any debris or accumulation of dirt on the corners.

Make use of winter fridge ventilations in order to keep the rear of the fridge clear of moisture. Also, ensure that the gas valve of the regulator is shut. Remove the gas bottle, and should you be able to, remove the gas bottle to keep at the home.

It is also advisable to make sure that your motorhome’s wheels are chocked so that rainwater flows over on the top of your motorhome in the winter months.

Battery maintenance

Modern motorhomes have two distinct batteries, one to start the engine, and the other to provide electricity to the area of the home.

The starter battery could also provide power to an alarm, tracking device , or both. In this scenario, it is essential to keep the battery fully charged even when the motorhome’s not being utilized.

All lead-acid batteries are affected by “self-discharge”. This means that even without any connection to it, the battery can lose its capacity andeventually cease to function. In addition, it may be damaged and its lifespan significantly reduced. To prevent this from happening make sure to charge the battery regularly with an “intelligent” battery charger.

In the event that your starter battery isn’t being utilized to provide power to a security device and there is no mains power in the area where your motorhome is kept and you want to remove it, you may need to take it out and keep it in the care of home while keeping an eye for the battery’s voltage and charging regularly. If you decide to do this, keep in mind that you may have to reset the clock, radio as well as any other devices that receive their energy through the starter battery after returning it.

When your vehicle is stored at a storage location with the starter battery used to provide power to the alarm system or tracker you’ll be forced to go for an occasional run every couple of weeks.

The same rules of thumb apply to leisure batteries. If you are able, take the battery from your vehicle and charge it at home with an “intelligent” charger.