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

TONUP · 16-11-2009, 17:42

Thanks for all of the tips guys.

Alan

CaptLimey · 16-11-2009, 20:26

Hi Tonup
I've also heard of folk blowing (pumped/compressed air or such?) through their water pipe systems to ensure that they are free of water that might freeze and split them. This is my first 'van winter so I'll be heeding all the good advice above, many thanks.
Rgds CL

BigBlack · 16-11-2009, 22:24

CaptLimey,

I find it alot easier to remove all bungs before setting of home from last outing, with the 'van bouncing about all the way home it gets rid of 99% of the water left in the systems.... just remember to keep the 'bungs' safe and put them back in once home!!!

(RIP) PLANK · 16-11-2009, 22:42

I get confused calling a caravan a van, perhaps as i also have a van?

anyway i never use on board water stuff so no need to drain, my winter preperations are: buy more gas

wildbri · 16-11-2009, 23:37

Dont forget to uncouple the shower head and tube as water stays in the tube when it is hanging up. My caravan is plugged in the mains all the time so I leave the battery in and switch the charger on for 24 hrs each month. I also put the upholstery in the garage where its warm and dry regards bri

Deleted account DD · 17-11-2009, 00:26

If one end of a pipeline is open eg the draincock for the water heater , any fluid left in has room to expand and escape if it freezes. Thats all you need to do.

Prior to having a van with a water heater I never used to bother with any fannying about and had no problems. Now we've got the all singing dancing van I just drain it and leave it, again no problems.

As far as putting anti freeze in, why bother? theres probably nothing to freeze if youve drained it. There are several seals in the sytem that arent designed to take anti freeze and other chemicals though

Deleted account DD · 17-11-2009, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptLimey

Hi Tonup
I've also heard of folk blowing (pumped/compressed air or such?) through their water pipe systems to ensure that they are free of water that might freeze and split them.

Absolute complete waste of time. maybe theoretically good but in practice, probably a waste of beer drinking time

Deleted account DD · 17-11-2009, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLANK

I get confused calling a caravan a van, perhaps as i also have a van?

its a 'van for lazy typists and poor spellers loke mee

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

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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

16-11-2009, 17:42	#8
TONUP Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: England Posts: 755	Thanks for all of the tips guys. Alan

16-11-2009, 20:26	#9
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Hi Tonup I've also heard of folk blowing (pumped/compressed air or such?) through their water pipe systems to ensure that they are free of water that might freeze and split them. This is my first 'van winter so I'll be heeding all the good advice above, many thanks. Rgds CL

16-11-2009, 22:24	#10
BigBlack Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Vehicle: 2005 Terrano II 2.7tdi SE Posts: 568	CaptLimey, I find it alot easier to remove all bungs before setting of home from last outing, with the 'van bouncing about all the way home it gets rid of 99% of the water left in the systems.... just remember to keep the 'bungs' safe and put them back in once home!!!

16-11-2009, 22:42	#11
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	I get confused calling a caravan a van, perhaps as i also have a van? anyway i never use on board water stuff so no need to drain, my winter preperations are: buy more gas

16-11-2009, 23:37	#12
wildbri Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: south lakeland Vehicle: terrano 1997 tdi Posts: 940	Dont forget to uncouple the shower head and tube as water stays in the tube when it is hanging up. My caravan is plugged in the mains all the time so I leave the battery in and switch the charger on for 24 hrs each month. I also put the upholstery in the garage where its warm and dry regards bri

17-11-2009, 00:26	#13
Deleted account DD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,705	If one end of a pipeline is open eg the draincock for the water heater , any fluid left in has room to expand and escape if it freezes. Thats all you need to do. Prior to having a van with a water heater I never used to bother with any fannying about and had no problems. Now we've got the all singing dancing van I just drain it and leave it, again no problems. As far as putting anti freeze in, why bother? theres probably nothing to freeze if youve drained it. There are several seals in the sytem that arent designed to take anti freeze and other chemicals though