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quoteEven when your caravan is tucked away in storage, it’s still exposed to a whole host of risks that could potentially cause you problems when it’s time to start enjoying the next caravanning season.
Whether you chose to store the caravan at home or at a storage site, there are plenty of things you can do to protect your caravan whilst it’s layed up.
Our 10 top tips to protect your caravan when in storage
- Secure storage: Make sure your storage site is fully secured and meets the security requirements of your insurance provider. Look for controlled and permanently locked access gates, perimeter fencing and CCTV monitoring.
If storing your caravan at home, you might want to add extra security, such as a drivepost, locked gates, security lighting and CCTV. Finally store your caravan in a sheltered area, checking for overhanging branches, aerials etc – things that could potentially bang into the caravan in strong winds. Check ourguide for protecting your caravan in high winds.
2. Fit essential security devices. As well as a hitchlock and wheel clamp or axle wheel lock you could also invest in extra security such as an alarm, approved tracking device, door and window locks, corner steady locks and winter wheels.
Some of these devices will help to reduce your caravan insurance premium, as well as to protect your caravan from theft.
3. Keep charged! Make sure the battery on any alarm or tracking device you have fitted to your tourer remains charged. Some tracking devices will alert you if a power failure has occurred but by then it could be too late!
4. Cover it up! Investing in a cover for your caravan is one of the easiest ways to keep it in tip top condition when in storage.
They can help to shield caravans from the effects of strong winds, heavy rain and light hail as well as protecting your pride and joy from debris, tree sap and bird lime and potentially avoiding a claim for damage. A caravan cover will also hide the make and model of your caravan from potential thieves.
5. Caravan housekeeping: Protect your caravan by keeping it well maintained. Clean your caravan thoroughly before putting it into storage.
Leave the fridge door slightly ajar and give the hob, oven and grill a final clean and vacuum the upholstery and curtains if you can.
6. Drain down: All water systems, including the toilet, must be drained down from November 1st to March 15th for Caravan Guard policyholders to prevent frost damage to your pipework. You could use also use a device such as Floe, with an air compressor to blow out every last drop of water.
7. Keep vermin away! It’s certainly worth removing any foodstuffs to avoid attracting vermin into your caravan and clean up any crumbs. Also, consider removing bedding too as mice and rats will look for somewhere to keep warm in the colder months.
8. Avoiding damp: Pile cushions high in the centre of the room to avoid them being damaged by moisture from condensation on the windows and use moisture-absorbing crystals to reduce the risk of condensation building up and leading to damp.
9. Remove stuff: Gas cylinders are best removed and stored in a ventilated and cool place. Also, remove any valuable items and personal documents such as your insurance documents and handbooks. Leaving blinds, curtains and cupboard doors open will show a potential intruder there’s nothing inside worth stealing.
10. Lock up and plan: Finally, lock up your caravan, check when your caravan insurance and caravan service are due and then you can start to plan your touring adventures for the year ahead!
Over to you
If you have any other tips on protecting your caravan when in storage we’d love to hear them. Simply post your suggestions in the comments box below.
But wanna state that this is invaluable
Thanks for taking your time to write this.
Put the gas heating on for an hour or so? Surely burning gas creates moisture in the air which will make the situation worse.
And, putting table salt on concrete paths and driveways will cause the cement to break down and the concrete collapse?
I’m no expert so perhaps someone can explain it better..
Ps. Too many take-aways are not good for you either!
We have used a caravan cover this year for the 1st time and I have to say it will be the last. Yes it has kept the caravan clean on the outside but the inside is another matter. We keep the caravan in storage so only call in a few times over the winter months. We called a Christmas and all was fine, but two weeks ago we were shocked to find mould growing in the bathroom on the walls, the shower cubicle and in the cupboards. Luckily it cleaned off quick easily but had we left it any longer I really don’t know what state it would have been in and we did have dehumidifiers in the caravan. On checking the internet we found that this seems to be quite a common problem with one person having such bad mould in the caravan it was now un-useable as they can’t clean it off. We think with all the rain this winter the cover has remained wet and stopped the caravan from getting any ventilation. So we won’t use it again, I would rather have to clean the outside than risking the inside being destroyed by mould.
We had the same problem when using a caravan cover. Mould on the doors which we could wipe off. But the mould around the window ledge at the front has permantly stained. Not using this cover again even though it suppose to be breathable.
Thanks for your comments Lesley. May be speak to the manufacturer to see what advice they can offer.
When I put my caravan away for the winter because I cannot store at home but on a stowage site I put inside the van about 5-6 Chinese take away trays of cheap cooking salt, I also leave the gas bottle connected so when I go & check on the van every month or so I stay for a hour & switch the gas heating on then at the same time I change the salt, I keep the old salt & use it on the pavements & paths at home so no wastage.
Great tip Mike!
I have just got back from winterizing my caravan at a secure location. Most important thing for me this time was the tyres. Had to pay £80 for a new one this month, as the two year old tyre had rotted at the bottom because it had been stood over winter in one spot. Have been advised to either use second hand wheel/tyres for over winter standing (impossible to find now.) or use axel stands to lift the wheels off the ground. Hopefully the latter will work. Please pass on the importance of this as I towed 1000 miles from the South of France without noticing the appalling condition of just one part of the tyre.
Hi Carl, we suggested this as a precautionary measure. Like you say, the most important thing is to ensure cylinders as kept as cool and ventilated as possible, wherever you chose to store them.
Thanks for your tips David, I’m sure others will find them very useful. It’s always worth keeping the caravan’s external surfaces clean. Such a shame about the discount! It will be available right through to December so if you have any further problems with the replacement, perhaps try Pro-Tec.
Thanks again!
Lucie
I am now on my fourth cover which is so very important protecting my van. Wash/Wax/cut foam pipe central heating insulating (B and Q ) place on skirt as extra protection where buckles touch the skirt( stops abrasion ) Collect van in April and no need for a wash as the van is perfectly clean and no dampness. Did not know about 10% so lost out with by ordering another brand which regrettably does not fit although tailor made for Elddis Affinity 540! Now waiting replacement and all of the trouble to remove and replace .
Your advise about removing gas bottles seems to be a bit over the top. What place could possibly be cooler and more ventilated than the caravan’s gas locker. I have never removed gas bottles and have never experienced any trouble with them. By all means disconnect the gas regulator hoses and make sure that the bottle valves are tight but physically removing the bottles is, in my opinion, unnecessary.
Propane is usually the preferred gas and will stand much lower temperatures. Propane has a lower boiling point than butane so it will continue to convert from a liquid to a gas even in very cold conditions, down to -45ºC. When stored as a liquid in a tank, it exerts a greater pressure than Butane at the same temperature. So Propane, as an LPG, is most suitable for exterior storage and use.
Thanks for your comment John