Advice please, storing van for the winter

That could be just as awkward, TW, if space is tight at the storage area, although of course it need only be done once.

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Hmm, good point.🙂

 

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after reading the above comprehensive checklist I reckon it must be far easier to keep on touring

while I realise everyone's circumstances are different, making use of something like a caravan (and certainly a MH with many more oily bits) must be better for it than leaving it for months in the cold and the wet, whatever winter 'precautions' one adopts...

there was a post earlier in the thread suggesting trying winter touring...

again, this wasn't what the OP was asking for, and many do other ('holiday') things in winter time, but a couple of winter trips will keep things in the van ticking over far better than leaving it unused for many months.

if there's going to be an issue, you can bet it will be whe the van is removed from storage.....hmm, it was working when we last used it....

even if the van doesn't get used in anger (winter touring, certainly in the cold UK, doesn't appeal to everyone) then perhaps the firing up of kit like the boiler, heater, fridge, electrics etc from time to time will keep things in good fettle and raise earlier awareness as to any developed issues...

good luck with the van....

 

A caravan will be fine if left unused over the winter months, BB. With respect, you’ve never had one and not been in that position but for many years we had a series of caravans in storage and all we did was to give them a good clean inside and drain the systems and remove the battery. Leaving a van with the handbrake off should avoid any seizing of the brake mechanism and, although not ideal, the tyres will survive if the wheels can’t be turned/lifted. To visit every few weeks and check is an idea but another school of thought suggests even that is likely to invite warm damp air into the van. 

A MH, on the other hand, is a different matter and the rolling bits need to be used but this needs only to be a few miles every few weeks. 

with equal respect, TW, heating systems of caravans and MH are generally the same (as are much of the electrical components) and in my experience these appliances benefit from being used not left idle...

these can easily be checked without refilling/draining the water system and some without access to an EHU.

im sure the majority of issues are found on the first trip after a long period of non use....

I realise that many caravanners (and some motorhomers) do just leave their pride and joy standing idle for many months...

just my personal choice that I'd be doing periodic 'equipment' checks even during downtime...it's easy for me, I pop into the van more than once a week even when not using it.....loading/unloading things and checking battery condition as I enter, using lights if dark etc, etc

whatever our differences on this point, it will be down to each owner to decide what works best for them and perhaps the location of the storage location (on the drive?) might make this easier for some....

A MH, on the other hand, is a different matter and the rolling bits need to be used but this needs only to be a few miles every few weeks.

Much like our tow car. rarely used for 8 months of the year other than if I visit youngest daughter and grandkids when I choose that as we usually all go out somewhere or if Fliss is using the other car. So occasionally I use the X-Trail to give it a move.  

I’m just quoting from my own personal practical experience, BB, gained over many, many years.

Been there, done that, as they say. 

Btw, what do you imagine dealers do with the caravans left on their forecourts over the winter months?

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