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Most UK caravans spend the winter parked up rather than touring — and it’s those months of cold, damp and standing water that cause the expensive damage owners discover in spring. A proper lay-up takes a weekend and protects your van from frost, mould and theft. Here’s how to winterise your caravan, step by step.
Frost is the single biggest threat. Water left in pipes, taps, the water heater and the toilet flush expands as it freezes and cracks fittings that are costly to replace. Drain the fresh and waste-water tanks, open every tap to the mid (mixed) position, and open the drain valve on your water heater. Run the pump briefly to clear the lines, then leave all taps open through the winter. Where the manufacturer recommends it, add non-toxic caravan antifreeze to traps and the toilet flush.
Empty the cassette at a proper disposal point, rinse it, and run through a cassette tank cleaner to shift residue and smells. Leave the blade valve open and the seals lightly lubricated so they don’t dry out and perish over winter. Remove any toilet fluid.
A thorough clean stops mould taking hold and deters pests. Remove all food. Wash the exterior — winter grime, bird mess and tree sap degrade the finish if left — and treat it with a protectant. Check and clear the roof, gutters and seals. Inside, wipe down and dry every surface, then defrost the fridge and prop its door open so it doesn’t go musty.
Damp is what actually ruins interiors over winter, so ventilate — don’t seal it up. Leave roof vents cracked, cupboard and fridge doors open, and stand seat cushions on their edges so air moves around them. Place dehumidifier crystals or a small dehumidifier inside to pull moisture from the air, and check on them through the season.
A good breathable caravan cover shields the bodywork from UV, frost, rain and sap while still letting moisture escape — a cheap non-breathable sheet traps condensation and does more harm than good. Fit corner protectors to stop the cover chafing. It’s the difference between a tired-looking van and one that’s ready to roll in spring.
Caravan theft climbs in winter when vans sit unattended for weeks. Fit a hitchlock and a wheel clamp as a minimum, add a wheel lock if you can, and use a steering wheel lock on a motorhome. Sold Secure-rated devices are increasingly what insurers expect, and a storage site with CaSSOA accreditation is the gold standard if you don’t keep it at home.
Disconnect the leisure battery or keep it topped up with a trickle charger — a battery left to go flat over winter can be permanently damaged. Set tyres slightly above normal pressure and, if you can, move the van occasionally to avoid flat spots. Finally, turn the gas off at the bottle and store it upright in a ventilated space.
Spend a weekend on this now and you’ll come back in spring to a dry, secure, ready-to-go caravan — instead of a repair bill.
Covers, damp control, security and care for a safe winter.
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