Prepare your caravan for winter storage

[@MsMamabo]

Less than a week to go before we pick up our first caravan. Sitting here watching at silly o’clock because I’d forgotten the clocks go back this morning 🙄. I’ve found lots of answers to my questions in your videos as we prepare for our new baby. We have been camping all our lives first in tents and then in camper vans but there is still a lot to learn. Your content is really well thought out and presented in a really nice engaging way. Thanks very much for all your help.

[@lensmanonline]

Great Tips Dan, One thing we always do is open the blinds and close the curtains we've found that if you leave the blinds down over a long period on time, the springs inside tend to get a bit week and when we come to use them again they never seem to roll up neatly. Best wishes Jon

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Jon, ours don't have a spring tensioner - which is not the norm, but im aware of the issue that you mention. It's best to just close the curtains really. Thanks again. Dan

[@m1cxf]

Hi Dan, Just looking at a few bits on youtube to refresh my memory. Another on I use is to open all the windows and give the rubber seals a quick wipe with a drop of olive oil on older caravans but on newer ones I use a silicon lubricant. It helps to stop them sticking. I usually treat the car doors seals at the same time, reduces the risk of moisture freezing them shut, although can often bee a good excuse for being late for work.

[@stevechurchman1824]

Very comprehensive video. I have to say you are much more thorough than we are.

[@victormeldroo]

new to caravaning great advise. another thing is to cover the tyres as sunlight causes the sidewalls to perish.

[@tonyska]

As a soon to be caravaner, this video and your others too are really useful. Thanks for the advice, it does seem a bit daunting at the moment!

[@kensturgeonmusic]

Excellent videos Trudgians, well done, and thanks for sharing. I am new to caravans, and your videos have helped enormously!! Please keep them coming, thanks!!

[@philg6613]

Very informative and helpful video. Please keep them coming. Also, removing the water filter prevents it cracking if water freezes inside it. If it's stored in a sealed jar that helps keep it moist until the next time you need it. Some folk prefer leaving the blinds closed, others open, but Lunar and others recommend left open. They also suggest cupboard doors should be shut to prevent warping, as Dawn Allard points out in an earlier comment in this thread. In a perfect world I'd have my 'van inside a barn and plugged into the mains in winter. But I guess they're winterised for a reason.

[@amkjpemberton5521]

Great advice Dan. We pick our van up in a couple of weeks so have been glued to your vids!

[@nigegarnham8623]

Picked up our Elddis two days ago and this video has given us some great ideas that we hadn't considered. Thanks for your tips. 👍🏻

[@adamknight9880]

We bought our van last Thursday and had a fab few days in it, I think I need to get to the storage depot asap!

[@devilsnash9361]

Great advise bit harder for some people due to some storage sites not allowing access to caravan as they park up and get out for you and not able to take home being a option

[@tofty21]

What a helpful video. Thank you.

[@magoo1uk2003]

Hi, really enjoying going over your videos,i am looking to get a caravan next year and your tips and advise are being very helpful,keep up the good work Paul

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you Paul, Glad they are helping you. Take care Dan

[@enzodelbono9884]

Thanks for all your coverage on caravans..it's helped us soooo much...

[@garysouthwood85]

Hi Dan just got our caravan and are finding you tips a great help. Keep up the good work. Regards Gary.

[@steveh3483]

Great video, couple of extra tips, after draining the toilet flush, I always blip the pump a couple of times to get water out of it, the pumps are usually near the outer wall of any van and can easily freeze breaking the pump body. Also I tilt the van slightly to prevent water sitting on the roof, this will also freeze and could damage awning rail seals or round sky lights etc.

[@TheTrudgians]

Morning Steve, Great tips - yes i do empty the pump too - it is amazing how much liquid stays in the pump housing isn't it - i completely forgot to mention it. and as for tipping one end of the van, again - great tip. We usually have ours nose up, bum down so the water runs off the back, and reduces the mess over the front of the van. Also makes it far easier to hitch up again. Thanks for watching, Take care Dan

[@peteschofield1198]

Thanks for the tips, really good video. We are complete newbies so this is really useful

[@vickyvibrance2136]

Your videos are the best. Really clear and informative. Thanks :)

[@paulbee1956]

Really enjoyed many of your videos. I would be really interested in your views on placing the caravan on axle stands over the winter months. Thanking you in advance.

[@jampot20000]

Another great video....many thanks

[@SunStoreSolar]

Some great advice here, keep up the good work.

[@dawnallard6841]

Good vid. We are lucky we are able to keep ours on our drive, so able to hook it up, and we keep the heating on a low setting. We do take all the bedding and seats out and also the carpets, and put the winter covers on the fridge. The battery we have on it is from our previous van, making it 11 years old! Open most cupboard doors, though we did find the wardrobes ones did warp a little so we leave them shut now. We also leave our blinds shut.

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Dawn, some great tips there. 11-year-old battery ? you should contact Guinness book of records lol. I expect your blinds are different to ours, I've heard many people commenting on the tension in the blinds fails if the blinds are pulled closed etc. Take care Dan

[@therealkevinmunro]

Great tips - thanks very much :)

[@markcridland2616]

Brilliant video new to caravanning great info

[@lettucefire]

thanks for the tips. I thankfully timed draining the water/heating system of my motorhome down to the wire this year just before the frosts. it's pretty cold oop north now :)

[@TheTrudgians]

Excellent news - it has just in the last day or two, gotten a bit nippy down these parts too - so hopefully we timed it right as well. Take care Dan

[@chrisgarner2798]

I am new to caravanning and your video is a fantastic help. many thanks indeed. Can i ask if i should use a cover on my caravan if it is to be stored undercover. I have been able to use a 3 sided hay barn which will stop any rain getting on it, but not any cold. Many thanks

[@paulrichardson3222]

I also remove batteries from smoke and gas alarms as well as from the clock and the fridge igniter and any other item like torches left in the caravan. The batteries may leak over the winter lay up and ruin the equipment. I spray wd40 on all the internal hinges and metal fittings to stop them rusting. Leave toilet slide in open position over winter.

[@kazz750]

Great video. I would like to say, I cleaned out my cassette housing just by chucking water in and then with a wipe with a rag, BUT IT WAS TOTALLY MY FAULT I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS A FUSE IN THERE AND THE NEXT TIME I WENT OUT THE TOILET FLUSH DID NOT WORK ? I know now lol just thought I’d let you know on my clumsy ness and you might want to mention this to, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s done this lol silly me, 😂👍

[@richardeasy5832]

Nice one. if you are going to be jacking the caravan up, how about propping it on axle stands so the tyres are just off the ground?

[@TheTrudgians]

That again is an excellent idea. Thanks Richard ! Speak soon Dan

[@NatSatFat]

I do so love your "How to Vids" it gives me confidence as I am a learner? Dan! could you do a little Vid on "how to drain the toilet flush" you know that liitle plug by your Pink flush filler? I was given vary cursory info when buy my van, ie. "flush this?" no demonstration whatever! and it is awkward, to say the least. (as the plug is flush with the caravans surface) spillages are de riguer, so please Dan using your really good delivery! (this is true) can you do this there are no vicds on you tube for this at all. Hopefully looking foreward. Anyway I am sure load of caravaners would like to see this done PROPERLY

[@TheTrudgians]

Sure thing Bryn, I will look at this idea in the near future. Take care Dan

[@nanrod981]

@@TheTrudgians Did you ever do a video on this topic Dan?

[@Parknest]

I did most of these things when I winterised our caravan. I have a cover so I can't use a solar panel even if I wanted to. I just removed the battery, kept it in the house and checked it every so often. I had a puncture on the way home from our last outing so I replaced both tyres at the soonest opportunity.

[@TheTrudgians]

Great stuff, yes removing the battery is absolutely fine, in fact many recommend this. Take care Dan

[@phildavies3867]

Hi mate. How do you connect your Solar Panel(s) that are in your window to the battery. Cheers. Phil

[@stevescet]

Good tips Dan, I made my own Flo device with a spare water intake pipe and a spare car valve, much cheaper !

[@TheTrudgians]

I've looked into making one also. you can buy the replacement nozzles quite cheaply - and adding an air pipe is again a simple task. Will let you know how I get on. Dan

[@HeyWotawilfred]

Excellent videos and well presented may I say! Very useful for some of the things I’d never have thought to ask. Keep it up! Quick Q; Any recommendations on solar panel for trickle charging the leisure battery? And how do you wire it in to get the output to the battery itself?

[@markandrews70]

Great vid, nice tips. Keep up the good work

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you Mark. Take care Dan

[@dalerobson8588]

Thanks for the videos, we have only started caravanning this year. The videos have saved us making a lot of mistakes. We have the van parked at our house and connected to the mains, we have done all the tips but thought we could leave the heating on. Is this the right thing to do? Dale

[@woodturnerbloke555]

Nice one Dan, good clear advice :-)

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you ! Take care, Dan

[@ttmadness34]

Hi, just a quick question about batteries. We bought our first caravan last summer, its an 89 challenger. Now the battery is under the seat by the wardrobe, so you can see it when you lift the seat cushion. Is this safe? As ive seen most are boxed in and you gain access from the outside. Ive heard batteries need to be vented or is it just certain types? Thanks.

[@ellie17604]

Also don’t forget your damp boxes :-)

[@gilbert7794]

What product do you use on your plastic windows to drop UV damage and them becoming brittle? Regards Rich

[@joeoldskoolbeef]

Thanks bro, good vid.

[@paulandbiancaadventures3458]

Do you keep the solar panel on throughout, and do you check it periodically? Thanks 🤙🏼

[@henryclayton9050]

I wonder if once the flush tank is drained that there may be some water still occupying the pipe from the pump to the nozzle(s) in the toilet bowl. Perhaps briefly activating the flush pump may clear this?

[@BrendaH90159]

Andrew Ditton send me over to your channel, I watched you and he at the Dusselvlog and enjoyed it.

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you Brenda, I hope our videos are helpful and entertaining.. Take care Dan

[@pacman4568]

Hi we found closing the blinds or curtains when the caravan is standing for long periods unattended causes mold to grow on everything leaving the blinds up or half up and curtains open basically allowing sunlight into the caravan stops the growth of mold.

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi, that's a great tip. We find that closing the blinds with a small slit at the top (fly screen) allows the warm air trapped between the window & blind to escape, we also don't close the roof lights so some daylight does get into the van when closed up. Thanks for your tip Take care, Dan

[@caravanningwithcharlie]

Great Video Dan. I'm lucky enough to be able to store our caravan on our drive at home. In regards to winterisation in this situation what would you recommend?

[@simontordoff2090]

Just picked my caravan up from indoor storage after about 3 months of not using it, while giving it a good clean I have noticed that some of the cupboard doors no longer fit properly and the bathroom door has expanded to a point where I can hardly close it. Any advice greatly appreciated

[@oceanmaster7]

Could I keep my caravan plugged in my garadge during winter?

[@johngray2060]

What's best mains to aquaroll to buy

[@woobiewoo5405]

Good information but u do crack me up !

[@dominobeauty]

For my nooks and crannies I use an old electric toothbrush.

[@paulmajor4630]

Hi we have just brought out first caravan and have it in storage. I have noticed some people keep the caravan on slabs or bits of wood and just wondered if you knew why. thanks

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Paul, Congratulations on your purchase !! Well done. i cannot answer for most, but we have some slabs under one side of our caravan and some concrete slabs under the steadies. The slabs under the one wheel provide 2 solutions. 1 to roughly level the van, but to also show me where to aim the caravan when reversing back into the space. It also makes it really clear for the caravans next to us, where our van lives when its not their. a sort of boundary marking etc. The blocks under our steadies really only provide further stability. Our ground is very uneven and rocky, so a concrete slab just helps keep the van secure etc. I hope that helps. Dan

[@paulmajor4630]

Thank you very much makes sense now.

[@colinkuga8314]

The Trudgians pro-teccoversonline.co.uk

[@kerryproudfootbaker583]

Hello. Do all struts need to be down when storing? Thanks

[@TheTrudgians]

When you say strut, are you referring to corner steadies? if so, yes it's worthwhile keeping them down, some caravans have alarms connected with them, but it will also limit any movement in blustery windy conditions.

[@markcridland2616]

B

[@nfrise99]

Way too many adverts bud sorry, moving on