Winterising your caravan & motorhome doesn’t have to mean draining it down and storing it away. Winterising simply means preparing your caravan for winter, so if the festive season for you means taking your leisure vehicle out on the road, here is our guide to making your Christmas caravan breaks as safe and cosy as possible.
1. Waste & water
We all know that winter means subzero temperatures that can freeze your water system solid. Most caravan owners avoid these situations by draining down their vehicle and storing it away, but you can certainly still use your caravan for winter adventures if you make some small changes.
The first of these is to bring the aqua roll and pump inside your caravan overnight if they are uninsulated or to add a small measure of antifreeze to your waste water containers. They will otherwise freeze if left outside, which is what will also happen to any large reserves of water you have onboard.
If your vehicle is equipped with an onboard or underfloor tank we highly recommend that you drain these systems and set up your caravan at campsites that have onsite facilities for you to use. You can then store your water in a portable water container during short stays and avoid the hassle of having to drain down your caravan in cold weather or deal with frozen pipes.
2. Heating system
As the temperatures drop, your caravan’s heating system becomes your main source of warmth and it’s important to keep it stocked up with the right fuel for your winter travels.
Switch from your usual butane fuel to propane gas before you hit the road as butane only works effectively in temperatures above -2°C. Whilst we all hope the temperature won’t get that low it always pays to be prepared!
Another good way to be prepared is to stay at campsites with an electricity hookup and to bring a little electric heater with you. This provides a backup source of heat in case you run out of gas, or an additional way to quickly warm the caravan up on cold nights.
3. Tyre checks
As well as being a convenient way to enjoy your weekends and explore holiday destinations across the country, a caravan or motorhome is fundamentally a vehicle. We all know that our cars require extra attention once the icy weather sets in and our leisure vehicles need this same attention too.
Before you venture out onto the roads - particularly winding countryside roads - it is important to conduct a thorough check of your vehicle’s tyres. This includes:
- Checking the overall condition of your tyres
- Checking the air pressure
- Monitoring tread depth to maintain a safe grip on the road
- Switching to winter tyres for improved traction
4. Engine maintenance
Next up is popping the hood and taking a look at your engine. Start by topping up the antifreeze in the cooling system to prevent it from freezing and pop a spray can in your emergency kit in case it’s needed on the road. Then move on to inspecting your brake fluid by checking the current levels and topping them up if needed before giving your brakes a test before hitting the road. If there are any issues, it could save your life to discover them whilst your motorhome is still parked up rather than on the roads.
Cold winter weather drains battery power fast so if you plan to use your motorhome this Christmas it’s important to regularly turn the engine on and let it run to keep the battery charged. Letting the battery drop below 50% charge can permanently damage the battery so start the engine every 1-2 weeks to avoid any unexpected problems whilst you are parked up away from home.
5. Insulate the interior
No one likes feeling the cold whilst they’re enjoying Christmas caravan breaks. Winterising your caravan interior is just as important as keeping yourselves warm with coats and scarves, so whilst your little electric or gas heater (remember to make the switch from butane to propane!) will keep your vehicle warm there are a few ways to keep the heat around for longer.
Extra insulation will make a world of difference so lay down rugs, mats, and thick blankets from home on the floor to prevent heat loss and keep a basket of spare blankets to hand in case the nights get too cold. Investing in detachable thermal blinds for your windows is also a smart move that will trap heat inside and conserve energy all winter long before being removed and stored once spring arrives.
Remember; there is no point creating warmth inside your caravan if it is simply going to escape through damaged door seals or cracks around the windows so make sure you check these fixtures too when winterising your caravan.
Prepping your caravan for Christmas adventures
Winterising your caravan doesn’t have to be a challenge. Christmas caravan breaks offer a unique way to spend time with the ones you love and enjoy the winter scenery of the UK countryside so follow our guide to keep your vehicle in the best condition throughout the winter and find any equipment that you need in our full range.