Winterising your van?

TONUP · 09-11-2009, 15:09

It's unlikely that I will be taking the van out again this year, so I have decided to clean it up and put it away on my drive for the winter.

Does anybody do anything else other what I have listed below when putting their van away for winter. Mine is left outdoors on the drive...

- Drain the heater
- Drain the flush
- Remove the battery
- Leave all the taps open

Regards

Alan

Timbo_1975 · 09-11-2009, 15:24

Keep it plugged in and a small heater on set at say 5 deg C to keep the moisture out???

zippy656 · 09-11-2009, 15:26

ours gets a service, and they do all that.

drain every thing and unplug as much as posable,

hearter set to frost a good idea, even better if you can plun in to next doors garage..

Paul · 09-11-2009, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timbo_1975

Keep it plugged in and a small heater on set at say 5 deg C to keep the moisture out???

If not, put 2 bowls of salt inside the van, they act as a great dehumidifier.

lacroupade · 09-11-2009, 16:15

...and don't forget to let the wife and kids out.

BigBlack · 09-11-2009, 23:12

I aint got no power to my van so put plenty of salt in it, drain everything down - toliet, heaters etc, take out the carbon filter (they have a habbit of holding water, then freezing and cracking!) open the taps, but put the plugs in the sinks to stop any smells. Empty all tins and sprays out of the cupboards (then tend to rust and leave marks) give the fridge a good clean and leave the door wide open.
Open the flush on the cassette toilet, and smear some olive oil on the rubbers.
Open all the cupboards and draws to let air circulate, stand all seats and backrests up in the middle of the van to let air circulate.

Chock the wheels, and release the handbrake.

The final thing it to ratchet strap the caravan to the floor.... it gets damn windy where its kept, and actually once moved the van!!!!!

Adz · 09-11-2009, 23:19

With my mobile home i also put anti-freeze in the loo / sinks / shower & that way what little water is Left in there after Ive drained & left everything open it wont crack the pipes or bugger the boiler

Bit different to a tin can though i suppose

& once i move out this year on the 22/11/09 i wont be going back as i now have a bungalow in Maylandsea

Deleted account DD · 17-11-2009, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlack

the fridge a good clean and leave the door wide open.

Open all the cupboards and draws to let air circulate, stand all seats and backrests up in the middle of the van to let air circulate.

Chock the wheels, and release the handbrake.

All good stuff

briggie · 15-05-2010, 17:19

our family have a static , and haven will do this for you if you wish , plus they put some moisture attracting crystals in a couple of tubs around the caravan , disconnect from electric /gas/water... ive heard some owners who put a little antifreeze in the toilet cistern

, but we dont , we just drain the water completely , also we leave the fridge door open , as well as remove the seating cushions and place in a pile in the middle of the floor , same with mattresses . hope this helps .

09-11-2009, 15:09	#1
TONUP Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: England Posts: 755	Winterising your van? It's unlikely that I will be taking the van out again this year, so I have decided to clean it up and put it away on my drive for the winter. Does anybody do anything else other what I have listed below when putting their van away for winter. Mine is left outdoors on the drive... - Drain the heater - Drain the flush - Remove the battery - Leave all the taps open Regards Alan

09-11-2009, 15:24	#2
Timbo_1975 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S Shropshire Vehicle: Inbetween Terrano's ! Posts: 967	Keep it plugged in and a small heater on set at say 5 deg C to keep the moisture out???

09-11-2009, 15:26	#3
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	ours gets a service, and they do all that. drain every thing and unplug as much as posable, hearter set to frost a good idea, even better if you can plun in to next doors garage..

09-11-2009, 16:15	#5
lacroupade Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: All hail to the Glove of Love... Posts: 9,212	...and don't forget to let the wife and kids out.

09-11-2009, 23:12	#6
BigBlack Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Vehicle: 2005 Terrano II 2.7tdi SE Posts: 568	I aint got no power to my van so put plenty of salt in it, drain everything down - toliet, heaters etc, take out the carbon filter (they have a habbit of holding water, then freezing and cracking!) open the taps, but put the plugs in the sinks to stop any smells. Empty all tins and sprays out of the cupboards (then tend to rust and leave marks) give the fridge a good clean and leave the door wide open. Open the flush on the cassette toilet, and smear some olive oil on the rubbers. Open all the cupboards and draws to let air circulate, stand all seats and backrests up in the middle of the van to let air circulate. Chock the wheels, and release the handbrake. The final thing it to ratchet strap the caravan to the floor.... it gets damn windy where its kept, and actually once moved the van!!!!!

09-11-2009, 23:19	#7
Adz Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Roaming Nomad Vehicle: 1995 SWB Terrano Posts: 5,370	With my mobile home i also put anti-freeze in the loo / sinks / shower & that way what little water is Left in there after Ive drained & left everything open it wont crack the pipes or bugger the boiler Bit different to a tin can though i suppose & once i move out this year on the 22/11/09 i wont be going back as i now have a bungalow in Maylandsea

15-05-2010, 17:19	#9
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	our family have a static , and haven will do this for you if you wish , plus they put some moisture attracting crystals in a couple of tubs around the caravan , disconnect from electric /gas/water... ive heard some owners who put a little antifreeze in the toilet cistern , but we dont , we just drain the water completely , also we leave the fridge door open , as well as remove the seating cushions and place in a pile in the middle of the floor , same with mattresses . hope this helps .