Your practical guide to caravan drain down and winterisation
A well-executed caravan winterisation plan can protect your tourer from damage caused by nature and other elements. That’s because cold, damp, mildew, frost and animal infestation can play havoc with a caravan’s interior and exterior during the winter.
This how to winterise a caravan guide explains everything you need to know about preparing your caravan to lay up for the off-season.
Follow our top tips, and you’ll be in great shape for the spring. And if the worst happens, your insurance claim will not be declined because you failed to take the proper precautions.
What you need to winterise a caravan
Before you start, grab a few useful items. Here’s what you’ll need:
- eco-friendly antifreeze
- newspaper
- a couple of bowls
- salt or silica gel
- WD40
Now, it’s time to make a start.
Caravan drain down
Cravan drain down means removing all the fluid and water from your pipework, systems and appliances.
Switch off the heater and close the main stopcock. Now, open the drain valves situated under the caravan. Flush the toilet and turn on the shower until the system drains. It’s also a good idea to remove the showerhead and hose first.
If you have access to compressed air, use this to blow through the pipes. Now, pour non-toxic antifreeze such as CaraGuard Caravan Winteriser down the sink, shower drain and toilet.
Interior protection
Vermin loves to hibernate in soft, cosy spaces. So take all bedding, such as throws, quilts, sleeping bags, and pillows, home. If you don’t have the space, consider using vacuum storage bags.
Prop open cupboards, wardrobes, and internal doors to maximise air circulation. Stand cushions on their ends. Place small salt or silica gel pots around the caravan to help absorb moisture. Ensure windows and skylights are securely closed.
Turn off the mains electricity and unplug your caravan’s appliances. Thoroughly clean the fridge and cupboards and wipe down worktops to remove all traces of food and crumbs.
Lastly, leave your curtains open. The sunlight can help keep the temperature up inside the caravan. Moreover, thieves are less likely to break in when they see nothing to steal.
Leisure battery
Batteries discharge much faster in cold temperatures and may fail if uncharged for too long. You can reconnect the mains from time to time over the winter to charge the battery. But if this isn’t possible, take the battery home and use a charger once a month.
Gas
Close the gas cylinder valves or disconnect the regulators. Some sites don’t allow gas bottle storage on caravans during winter, so double-check where relevant.
Exterior protection
Clean exterior gutters and drains. Then thoroughly wash your caravan down, removing all traces of algae, moss and mould, especially from around the window rubbers. Use a dedicated caravan wax or surface sealant for added protection.
Consider using a caravan cover, especially if you park in a field or on a farm near trees. Tree sap is difficult to remove.
Lag exterior pipes with insulating foam. Although you may have drained down the caravan, water can occasionally sit in some of the pipework.
Cover external vents to stop vermin and insects from entering the caravan. You can buy dedicated vent covers for most fridge vents.
Also, spray the terminals inside the electrical connectors with WD40. Even when covered, moisture can still get in and corrode the connectors.
Finally, fit dedicated security devices like a hitch and wheel locks to act as a deterrent.
Periodic checks
Flat spots on tyres often occur when caravans are left for long periods. So jack the caravan up and rotate the tyres every six to eight weeks. At the same time, check the tyre pressures and inflate them when needed.
If one side of the caravan is in direct sunlight for most of the day, consider covering the tyres to protect against degradation. Remember, caravan tyres often need replacing due to age and cracked sidewalls before the tread wears down.
Insurance
Double-check your insurance includes cover for the caravan being static over the winter — especially if parked away from home. Some insurers offer dedicated policies, and some caravan storage parks insist on static cover.
There you have it. Everything you need to know about caravan strain down and caravan winterisation in a simple guide: so follow the steps, and you’ll find it easier to get up and running when spring comes around.