As summer comes to an end and colder weather arrives, it’s important to prepare your caravan for winter. If your caravan is going into storage and won’t be used for several months, taking the time to winterise your caravan can help protect it from frost, damp, mould, pests and other problems that can occur during the colder months.
A few simple preparations now can save you time, inconvenience and potentially expensive repairs when you’re ready to get back on the road.
Why Is Caravan Winterisation Important?
Cold weather can create a number of risks for an unused caravan. Water left inside the plumbing system can freeze and expand, potentially damaging pipes, taps, pumps and other components. Poor ventilation can also contribute to condensation, damp and mould, while food and crumbs can attract unwanted visitors.
Whether your caravan is stored on a seasonal pitch or at a dedicated caravan storage facility, following a thorough winterisation routine is well worth the effort.
How to Prepare Your Caravan for Winter
1. Drain the Caravan's Water System
One of the most important parts of winterising a caravan is removing as much water as possible from the plumbing system.
Switch off the water pump and open all the taps and drain valves. Remove any drainage plugs and allow the system to empty completely. Don't forget to flush the toilet as part of the process.
Once the water has drained, leave the taps open. This allows any remaining moisture to escape and reduces the risk of trapped water freezing inside the system.
2. Don't Forget the Shower
Remove the showerhead and empty any water remaining inside it. Give it a good shake to remove excess moisture, then leave the showerhead in the shower tray so that any water left in the hose or fitting can drain away.
3. Empty Your Fresh Water Carrier
If you use a portable water carrier such as an Aquaroll, make sure it is completely emptied and dried before putting it into storage.
Leaving water sitting inside containers over winter can result in unpleasant smells and can also lead to freezing.
4. Clean and Empty the Cassette Toilet
Give the cassette toilet a thorough clean before your caravan is left unused.
Empty the cassette, rinse it through with clean water and allow it to drain properly. Starting the new season with a clean and fresh toilet system will make getting your caravan ready for use much easier.
5. Give Your Caravan a Thorough Clean
Winter is a good opportunity to give your caravan a proper clean, both inside and out.
6. Clean the Interior
Remove crumbs, food residue, dust and dirt from cupboards, worktops, floors and other surfaces. Even small amounts of food can attract insects and vermin while your caravan is unoccupied.
Take out all food, including items stored in cupboards that you might otherwise be tempted to leave behind.
7. Remove Bedding and Soft Furnishings
Take bedding, cushions and other removable soft furnishings home for the winter where possible. This helps reduce the risk of mildew and gives pests fewer places to hide.
8. Clean the Exterior
A clean exterior can help protect your caravan from the effects of winter weather. Consider having the exterior professionally cleaned and treated with suitable caravan protection products before storage.
If your caravan is stored with us, we can provide exterior cleaning and protective treatment services. Please speak to our reception team for more information.
9. Protect Against Damp and Condensation
Good ventilation is an important part of caravan winter storage.
Make sure floor vents are not blocked and that air can circulate around the interior. Moisture absorbers can also be useful for helping to control excess humidity and reduce the likelihood of damp and mould developing.
At the same time, make sure windows and rooflights are closed securely before leaving your caravan.
10. Prepare the Fridge
Before storing your caravan, empty and clean the fridge.
Once it is dry, leave the fridge door slightly open using the catch. This allows air to circulate inside and helps prevent stale smells, condensation and mould from developing.
11. Look After Your Leisure Battery
If your caravan is not being used over winter, remove the leisure battery and store it at home in a suitable location.
A battery that is left unused for a long period can gradually discharge, which may shorten its lifespan. Check and recharge it approximately every six weeks, following the battery manufacturer's recommendations.
12. Switch Off Electrical Equipment
Turn off the caravan's electrical supply before leaving it in storage.
It is also advisable to remove electronic equipment that could be affected by prolonged exposure to low temperatures. Check the instructions for any individual devices if you're unsure about their storage requirements.
13. Disconnect Your Gas Supply
Turn off and disconnect the gas bottle before putting your caravan into winter storage.
We recommend removing gas bottles from the caravan and taking them home for appropriate outdoor storage in accordance with the manufacturer's and supplier's safety guidance.
14. Secure Your Caravan for Winter
Security should also form part of your winter storage preparations.
Before leaving your caravan, check that all windows, doors and rooflights are securely closed. We recommend using both a wheel lock and hitch lock to provide additional protection.
It's also worth checking your locks before winter. A suitable silicone spray can help prevent locks from becoming stiff or seizing during periods of cold and damp weather. Silicone spray is available from reception.
15. Store Your Awning Properly
Never leave a wet or damp awning packed away for the winter.
Make sure your awning is completely dry before storing it at home. Packing away damp fabric for several months can encourage mildew and unpleasant smells and may cause permanent damage to the material.
16. Check Your Caravan Handbook
Every caravan is slightly different, so it's important to check your manufacturer's handbook before completing your winterisation.
There may be additional recommendations relating to the heating system, water system, battery, appliances or other equipment fitted to your particular model.
Caravan Winterisation Checklist
Before you leave your caravan for the winter, make sure you have:
- Drained the water system and left taps open.
- Emptied the showerhead and water carrier.
- Cleaned and emptied the cassette toilet.
- Removed all food and anything that could attract pests.
- Thoroughly cleaned the interior.
- Removed bedding and soft furnishings where appropriate.
- Cleaned and protected the exterior.
- Checked that ventilation points are clear.
- Added moisture absorbers if required.
- Left the fridge door slightly open.
- Turned off the electricity supply.
- Removed sensitive electronic equipment.
- Disconnected and safely stored the gas bottle.
- Removed and periodically charged the leisure battery.
- Dried and removed the awning.
- Closed and secured windows and rooflights.
- Fitted your wheel and hitch locks.
- Checked your manufacturer's winterisation instructions.
With the right preparation, you can leave your caravan knowing that it has been properly looked after and will be ready for your next adventure when the warmer weather returns.