Protect your caravan when in winter storage

Published in Caravan Guard News, Caravanning Top Tips, Videos on   - 14 Comments

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  1. Sandra Gillard says:

    We use the orange bottles summer and winter and these are for the winter months

  2. Carrol says:

    But wanna state that this is invaluable
    Thanks for taking your time to write this.

  3. c.lowery says:

    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!

  4. Val says:

    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.

    • Lesley Temple says:

      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.

      • Liz Harrison says:

        Thanks for your comments Lesley. May be speak to the manufacturer to see what advice they can offer.

  5. Mike says:

    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.

  6. David Pickering says:

    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.

  7. Lucie @ Caravan Guard says:

    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

  8. david webb says:

    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 .

  9. CARL HAYNES says:

    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.

    • John Turner says:

      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.


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