25 Straightforward Steps to Winterise Your Motorhome (& FREE shutdown Guidelines) 2023 up to date
Not utilizing your motorhome, campervan or RV throughout winter? Wish to winterise your motorhome and shut it down for the chilly months? Right here’s every part you’ll want to do to arrange your automobile for winter storage and easy methods to look after it throughout winter lay-up, in addition to issues to do AFTER winter to get again on the street once more.
Get your FREE motorhome winter storage guidelines under to recollect every part you want.
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Winterise a motorhome- what’s that?
There are two kinds of ‘winterising’ on the subject of motorhomes or campervans (and no, I don’t imply the spelling of winterizing for my abroad RV readers! 😉 )
The primary kind is to arrange a automobile to be used in the course of the chilly winter months, equivalent to if you wish to go snowboarding along with your motorhome or dwell in your motorhome throughout winter.
The second is making ready your automobile for winter storage and never getting used very a lot throughout winter (additionally generally referred to as ‘laying up’.)
On this put up, we’re going to be speaking about shutting down and making ready your motorhome for winter storage and easy methods to care on your motorhome whereas it’s not getting used.
As you’ll see under, it’s essential to make sure your motorhome, campervan or caravan is correctly closed down when not getting used for durations of time, in any other case you would find yourself with damp, condensation and plenty of different points in your van.
RELATED: Wish to expertise winter vanlife or planning a winter motorhome journey? Learn this primary…
FREE Motorhome Winter Storage Guidelines
Don’t neglect to seize your free motorhome winter shutdown and storage guidelines, so you may ensure you have and do every part you’ll want to in an effort to correctly care on your motorhome or camper all through winter.
This additionally applies for anytime you gained’t be utilizing your automobile for some time, like throughout a world shutdown…!
Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?
Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here
Why winterise your motorhome or camper?
There are two essential causes we suggest following these winter motorhome storage suggestions
The primary motive to arrange your motorhome correctly for winter is to keep away from issues from the chilly, like damp, mould and burst pipes. Most harm finished to motorhomes happens in the course of the winter months- particularly COLD winter months.
Chilly climate may also trigger issues with tyres, seals, engines and different important components!
The second motive to winterise your motorhome is to adjust to motorhome insurance coverage insurance policies.
Many insurers state that they won’t cowl harm brought on by water freezing contained in the motorhome or camper methods (together with the heating system) between November and March.
(Test your insurance coverage coverage to know precisely what guidelines you’ll want to adjust to.)
When do you have to put together your motorhome for winter storage?
I might suggest following these steps as quickly because it begins to get frosty so that you keep away from potential issues, significantly if the climate goes to be approaching 0ºc and issues may begin to freeze!
Clearly, this solely applies in the event you’re not going to be utilizing your motorhome- if you’re planning to make use of your motorhome usually all through winter, you don’t must observe these steps.
READ MORE: 27 important motorhome suggestions for novices
The place to retailer a motorhome for winter
There are a number of locations the place you may retailer a motorhome over winter:
- Parking in your driveway (or that of a pal/ relative)
- Avenue parking close to your home
- Safe motorhome storage outside
- Safe motorhome storage indoors
In case you don’t have a everlasting motorhome storage place, you’ll must e-book your winter motorhome storage as quickly as possible- they get booked up shortly.
Many farmers supply barns for indoor storage, and there are many safe out of doors motorhome storage locations around- simply Google.
Personally, I might hesitate to maintain my motorhome on the road long-term- it’s too simple for thieves to identify and scope out. In case you do select to do that, ensure you add at the very least one in every of these further motorhome safety measures.
Storing motorhome at dwelling
The guidelines listed on this put up are helpful no matter the place you retailer your motorhome throughout winter– in a storage yard or in your driveway.
Some issues are simpler to do at dwelling and a few could also be forbidden within the motorhome storage unit (like draining down your system), however there are many different locations to get that finished.
Additionally, if you wish to preserve your motorhome battery charged and taken care of, you might have to take it dwelling with you in the event you don’t retailer your motorhome/ camper in your drive; many motorhome storage items don’t have or enable energy provides.
READ MORE: The way to care on your motorhome leisure battery throughout winter
Once more, if you’re storing your camper at dwelling, be certain to suit some further motorhome safety gadgets; thefts of motorhomes (and different autos) will increase over winter, particularly within the run-up to Christmas.
How do you winterise and retailer a motorhome for winter?
Okay, deep breath. This part might all sound overwhelming, however I promise it’s not that unhealthy. A little bit effort now will save a number of bother in a couple of months time.
Step 1- empty almost every part!
- Empty out all perishables (meals, drinks and so forth). We frequently go away our canned meals within the motorhome, however we do take away any fizzy drinks- simply in case! Bear in mind to take away spices, flour and so forth as these can appeal to bugs if left.
- Take away ALL linens and garments. Something which might simply mould. This contains coats, towels, bedding, mattress & seat cushions. Some individuals take away their curtains too- we by no means have however it’s private choice.
- We additionally take away rest room and kitchen rolls, which solely go soggy if left behind.
- All private hygiene soaps, liquids and sanitary safety
- Take out ALL valuables, particularly electronics. Take away motorhome sat-navs, audio system, torches, battery lights, fairy lights- we frequently discover the battery terminals can corrode if left too lengthy within the chilly/ damp.
- You may also need to transfer any campervan and motorhome devices you carry onboard.
- Take away motorhome books, magazines, photographs and some other paper based mostly product.
- When you’ve got a motorhome logbook or journal, take away that too. You may go away homeowners guide in if you want, however there’s an opportunity it may get broken.
Step 2- what can you allow within the motorhome over the winter?
It’s okay to depart some issues inside your motorhome/ RV/ camper over winter. Admittedly, some issues will rely on whether or not or not you’re leaving it plugged in and leaving heating on within the van, however right here’s a useful information for you of issues we go away within the van over winter:
- Pots/ pans (cleaned!)
- Crockery/ cutlery/ glassware (cleaned!)
- Motorhome Cleansing provides (you may select to take away the liquids if you want. We by no means have, however then we don’t dwell wherever it will get REALLY chilly)
- Some individuals select to depart their first assist equipment/ medicines. We select to take away ours, however that’s solely so we will use it over winter if we have to
- Video games
- Motorhome Generator (drained)
- Canine bowls/ toys (since you simply know I’ll neglect them in any other case!) – Right here’s a listing of our important canine street journey equipment
- Smoke alarm/ Carbon monoxide detector (sure, with batteries in. Simply in case)
- When you’ve got an exterior motorhome storage field on the rear, you may in all probability go away many of the gear in there (be certain it’s locked up and watertight), however do a fast test first to make certain there’s nothing perishable inside.
Can I go away a TV in my RV motorhome over winter?
Sure. There isn’t a motive to take away your TV, EXCEPT for the truth that thieves may goal it.
READ MORE: The very best 12v motorhome TVs available on the market
Motorhome winterisation tips- cleansing
- As soon as every part is out, give all of it a REALLY good clear, in and out! This can be a good time to use a coat or two of wax to the skin.
- Test awnings are completely dry earlier than storing them away
- Test fridge/ freezer are empty & clear. Go away the door hooked ajar (there’s typically a locking setting on the fridge door catch which you’ll pull out to depart it ajar)
- Forestall towards condensation & mould. Go away all lockers, cabinets, wardrobes and so forth ajar. Learn the way we cease condensation in our motorhome right here.
Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?
Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here
Winterising a camper tips- Prime issues up!
When you’ve emptied and cleaned, take into consideration the issues you might be abandoning, and high up any fluids which shall be staying within the automobile, together with:
- LPG Gasoline cylinders. Refill Gaslow cylinders in case you have them. When you’ve got exchangeable cylinders, it could be finest to take away them fully and retailer them at dwelling (sure, you’re going to lose your spare bed room for the winter!). That is additionally an excellent time to TURN OFF all gasoline bottles and in addition the principle provide into the motorhome.
- Put Anti-freeze in engine (we’ll get to utilizing antifreeze inside your motorhome plumbing in a bit)
- Engine Oil
- Motorhome Gas
- Test tyre strain (additionally test tread and ensure there isn’t a cracking/ harm earlier than winter starts- chilly climate gained’t assist that in any respect!)
Motorhome Winter Storage Suggestions- The way to drain down your camper
DISCLAIMER: This can be a generic information. Most motorhome methods are very related, however please do test your proprietor’s guide earlier than following these steps. If doubtful, ask your dealership or a neighborhood storage for recommendation in your particular mannequin.
- Empty ALL methods over an acceptable drainage level. (In case you can angle your motorhome to get as a lot as doable out, even higher!) You may need to clear your motorhome water tank first (right here’s how.)
- Be sure you have emptied: freshwater, wastewater, water heater tank and bathroom flush (if separate from freshwater) (Make sure that your rest room is empty too…!) You could favor to purchase a water heater bypass equipment as a substitute.
- Open all inner faucets (yep, whereas over the drain)- LEAVE these open all winter.
- When you’ve got a mixer faucet, open it within the center so either side are on.
- When you’ve got inline water filters, disconnect and empty these.
- Go away the water pump operating till faucets run dry (then flip it off shortly to keep away from pump burnout)
- Take away the showerhead and drain water from the hose. Go away the hose hanging onto the toilet drain (in case you have a wetroom/ bathe room) or a bowl in case you have carpet.
- Test beneath the motorhome and ensure the u-bends are as empty as doable (that is usually the place the bathe u-bends are)
- If doable, go for a fast drive to bump issues round and ensure every part is as away from water as doable.
- Additionally, don’t neglect diesel and petrol have a shelf life. Now could be the time to test motorhome turbines, motorbikes or anything within the van which makes use of gasoline and both drain it down fully or test the gasoline to make certain it’s nonetheless okay.
Winterize drain down Equipment for RVs, Motorhomes and Campers
For the perfect outcomes, you’ll want to push air via the system to get all of the water out. That is the best kit we’ve found.
Do you have to use antifreeze when making ready your motorhome for winter storage?
In case you don’t use a drainage equipment just like the one above, there could also be some water left in your ‘u’ bends. You may add a little bit antifreeze down the plughole to assist cease this freezing (particularly in sinks and to the bathroom cistern.)
Do you have to use motorhome antifreeze within the freshwater tank?
DON’T add antifreeze to your freshwater pipe until it’s particular RV motorhome antifreeze which is non-toxic!!! This can be a safe non-toxic antifreeze to use in drinking water systems.
Winter RV Motorhome Suggestions- Battery winter storage & care
First, be certain each your motorhome leisure battery and your engine battery are totally charged.
Engine batteries are likely to fare higher in winter, however leisure batteries, particularly these housed in exterior lockers, typically fail in chilly climate.
This may be brought on by the age of the battery, however can typically be brought on if the temperature drops very low. Try to keep away from this by leaving the leisure battery on a trickle cost, equivalent to from a photo voltaic panel, or you may even take away the battery fully and retailer it at dwelling for the winter.
NOTE: Even when saved at dwelling, batteries will want top-up charging each 4-6 weeks to forestall issues.
READ MORE: Full Information to caring on your motorhome leisure battery
Do you have to cowl your motorhome in winter?
Ideally, you need to retailer your motorhome or campervan indoors throughout winter. If that’s not doable then sure, a motorhome cowl is a good suggestion. The extra layers of insulation the motorhome has, the higher.
Nonetheless, make certain that you utilize a breathable cowl, like this, in any other case the air gained’t flow into and also you’ll trigger mould and damp. (Be warned- they’re NOT simple to placed on!!) You additionally need to ensure you get one which inserts your automobile AND which permits entry to the habitation door.
Some individuals simply select to cowl their windscreen- and also you may select to depart your wiper blades hinged away from the windscreen to allow them to’t freeze in place.
Getting ready your motorhome for winter- different suggestions
- If you’ll be able to connect with energy, go away a small heater on low/ night time time setting to protect towards freezing.
- Match exterior vents to fridges and go away fridge door open
- Go away cupboards and inside doorways open to permit air to flow into
- You may spray a little bit WD-40 on catches, locks and a few electrics to forestall rust or corrosion.
- Guarantee all protecting methods are working ok- alarms, trackers and so forth. You could want to set up further safety measures like an extra habitation door lock– winter is a typical time for thieves to strike.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE RV motorhome winter storage guidelines
Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?
Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here
Shield your motorhome from rodents- The biscuit check!
It’s a tragic reality {that a} motorhome or campervan left alone for some time will appeal to numerous animals in search of a house. Mice, rats and spiders can all transfer in throughout your absence.
Among the best tips we’ve heard of is the biscuit check.
Put a tiny piece of biscuit on the ground within the motorhome whenever you go away it for winter. If it’s nonetheless there whenever you return, you don’t have any mice or rats as residents!
Sadly, we don’t have any good tips to discourage spiders. Conkers, laundry sheets and blocking holes with tissue might help- however don’t neglect you’ll want to go away some air flow into the van… which suggests holes. Vicious circle, sadly.
Issues to do DURING winter storage and shut down
As soon as your motorhome is ready and tucked away for the winter, you may’t simply neglect about it for five months (though I doubt you’ll neglect anything- winter is the BEST time to plan your subsequent epic motorhome journey.)
Nonetheless, there are some issues you’ll want to do throughout winter shutdown to take care of your van. Don’t neglect, motorhomes and campers are constructed on the identical chassis as workvans. They aren’t designed to be sat idle for months on finish.
So as to forestall points after being stood for lengthy durations, you’ll want to do the next at the very least as soon as a month if doable:
- Test in your motorhome if it’s not parked close to you
- Search for indicators of mould or damp and take care of any potential issues asap- leaving it solely makes it worse!
- Begin the engine and ideally go for a brief drive (at the very least 20 minutes)
- Go away gearbox in impartial if doable and/ or don’t use the handbrake- or alternate between the 2 to attempt to restrict put on. (That is when wheel wedges are helpful.)
- In case you can’t drive, run the engine for half-hour and rev in a single minute intervals as soon as it’s heat (that is inferior to driving it, and will trigger build-up)
- Flip the air-conditioning on (ideally, when you’re driving the motorhome.) I do know, it’s winter, and chilly, however this actually helps preserve the system ticking over for everytime you subsequent want it.
- Transfer the automobile barely so it’s not consistently on the identical patch of tyre. Alternatively, use tyre savers to take the burden off, particularly in case your motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes.
- Tyre covers could be helpful too to guard the brake discs.
Whereas we’re with reference to tyres, test (and open) your spare wheel casing in case you have one. Many individuals by no means do that and the lock corrodes, that means you may’t entry the spare tyre when you’ll want to!
Motorhome Winter Storage Suggestions- issues to do AFTER winter
Lastly, FINALLY, winter involves an finish and it’s time to start out making ready on your subsequent motorhome vacation. However, earlier than you set off, there are some essential issues to test and do.
You will get an entire pre-trip & motorhome departure guidelines right here
- Reconnect something which was disconnected, just like the battery
- Test the battery remains to be serviceable. If doubtful, get it checked professionally
- Shut any pipes left open
- Take away any vent covers, skirting or motorhome covers
- Test tyre strain and drive automobile to ensure there aren’t any ‘flat spots’
- Do a full engine test, together with oil and water ranges.
- Give your engine an excellent run
- Test for any motorhome or campervan recollects on your mannequin. Does something want fixing?
- Fill gasoline and gasoline
- Clear. Get your motorhome clear in and out and be prepared for the brand new season.
- Get a motorhome habitation test finished, or do one your self (however get the gasoline system professionally checked on your peace of thoughts.)
RELATED: Important motorhome checks to make earlier than each journey
I hope the above helps you put together your motorhome for winter storage. If doubtful, please do contact a storage or motorhome seller for recommendation in your particular mannequin.
Need extra motorhome suggestions? Yow will discover all of them right here
Final replace on 2023-10-14 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API
