25 Simple Steps to Winterise Your Motorhome (& FREE shutdown Guidelines) 2024 up to date

Not utilizing your motorhome, campervan or RV throughout winter? Wish to winterise your motorhome and shut it down for the chilly months? Right here’s every thing you must do to arrange your car for winter storage and tips on how to take care of it throughout winter lay-up, in addition to issues to do AFTER winter to get again on the highway once more.

Get your FREE motorhome winter storage guidelines beneath to recollect every thing you want.

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Winterise a motorhome- what’s that?

There are two varieties of ‘winterising’ in relation to motorhomes or campervans (and no, I don’t imply the spelling of winterizing for my abroad RV readers! ? )

The primary kind is to arrange a car to be used in the course of the chilly winter months, akin to if you wish to go snowboarding along with your motorhome or stay in your motorhome throughout winter.

The second is getting ready your car for winter storage and never getting used very a lot throughout winter (additionally generally referred to as ‘laying up’.)

On this submit, we’re going to be speaking about shutting down and getting ready your motorhome for winter storage and tips on how to care to your motorhome whereas it’s not getting used.

As you’ll see beneath, it’s vital to make sure your motorhome, campervan or caravan is correctly closed down when not getting used for intervals of time, in any other case you possibly can find yourself with damp, condensation and lots of different points in your van.

RELATED: Wish to expertise winter vanlife or planning a winter motorhome journey? Learn this primary…

FREE Motorhome Winter Storage Guidelines

Don’t neglect to seize your free motorhome winter shutdown and storage guidelines, so you’ll be able to be sure you have and do every thing you must with the intention to correctly care to your motorhome or camper all through winter.

This additionally applies for anytime you gained’t be utilizing your car for some time, like throughout a worldwide shutdown…!

Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?

Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here

Why winterise your motorhome or camper?

There are two predominant causes we suggest following these winter motorhome storage ideas

The primary cause to arrange your motorhome correctly for winter is to keep away from issues from the chilly, like damp, mould and burst pipes. Most harm completed to motorhomes happens in the course of the winter months- particularly COLD winter months.

Chilly climate may also trigger issues with tyres, seals, engines and different important elements!

The second cause to winterise your motorhome is to adjust to motorhome insurance coverage insurance policies.

Many insurers state that they won’t cowl harm brought on by water freezing contained in the motorhome or camper programs (together with the heating system) between November and March.

(Verify your insurance coverage coverage to know precisely what guidelines you must adjust to.)

When do you have to put together your motorhome for winter storage?

I’d suggest following these steps as quickly because it begins to get frosty so that you keep away from potential issues, notably if the climate goes to be approaching 0ºc and issues would possibly begin to freeze!

Clearly, this solely applies for those who’re not going to be utilizing your motorhome- if you’re planning to make use of your motorhome recurrently all through winter, you don’t must observe these steps.

READ MORE: 27 important motorhome ideas for newbies

The place to retailer a motorhome for winter

There are a number of locations the place you’ll be able to retailer a motorhome over winter:

• Parking in your driveway (or that of a good friend/ relative)
• Avenue parking close to your own home
• Safe motorhome storage outside
• Safe motorhome storage indoors

In the event you don’t have a everlasting motorhome storage place, you’ll must ebook your winter motorhome storage as quickly as possible- they get booked up rapidly.

Many farmers provide barns for indoor storage, and there are many safe outside motorhome storage locations around- simply Google.

Personally, I’d hesitate to maintain my motorhome on the road long-term- it’s too straightforward for thieves to identify and scope out. In the event you do select to do that, be sure you add not less than considered one of these further motorhome safety measures.

Storing motorhome at residence

The ideas listed on this submit are helpful no matter the place you retailer your motorhome throughout winter– in a storage yard or in your driveway.

Some issues are simpler to do at residence and a few could also be forbidden within the motorhome storage unit (like draining down your system), however there are many different locations to get that completed. 

Additionally, if you wish to maintain your motorhome battery charged and taken care of, you could have to take it residence with you for those who don’t retailer your motorhome/ camper in your drive; many motorhome storage models don’t have or permit energy provides.

READ MORE: Easy methods to care to your motorhome leisure battery throughout winter

Once more, if you’re storing your camper at residence, be sure to suit some further motorhome safety units; thefts of motorhomes (and different automobiles) will increase over winter, particularly within the run-up to Christmas.

How do you winterise and retailer a motorhome for winter?

Okay, deep breath. This part might all sound overwhelming, however I promise it’s not that dangerous. Slightly effort now will save a whole lot of hassle in just a few months time.

Step 1- empty practically every thing!

• Empty out all perishables (meals, drinks and so forth). We regularly go away our canned meals within the motorhome, however we do take away any fizzy drinks- simply in case! Bear in mind to take away spices, flour and so forth as these can appeal to bugs if left.
• Take away ALL linens and garments. Something which might simply mould. This contains coats, towels, bedding, mattress & seat cushions. Some folks take away their curtains too- we by no means have but it surely’s private choice.
• We additionally take away rest room and kitchen rolls, which solely go soggy if left behind.
• All private hygiene soaps, liquids and sanitary safety
• Take out ALL valuables, particularly electronics. Take away motorhome sat-navs, audio system, torches, battery lights, fairy lights- we regularly discover the battery terminals can corrode if left too lengthy within the chilly/ damp.
• You may additionally need to transfer any campervan and motorhome devices you carry onboard.
• Take away motorhome books, magazines, images and some other paper based mostly product.
• When you’ve got a motorhome logbook or journal, take away that too. You’ll be able to go away homeowners guide in if you want, however there’s an opportunity it might get broken.

Step 2- what can you allow within the motorhome over the winter?

It’s okay to go away some issues inside your motorhome/ RV/ camper over winter. Admittedly, some issues will rely on whether or not or not you’re leaving it plugged in and leaving heating on within the van, however right here’s a useful information for you of issues we go away within the van over winter:

• Pots/ pans (cleaned!)
• Crockery/ cutlery/ glassware (cleaned!)
• Motorhome Cleansing provides (you’ll be able to select to take away the liquids if you want. We by no means have, however then we don’t stay anyplace it will get REALLY chilly)
• Some folks select to go away their first support equipment/ medicines. We select to take away ours, however that’s solely so we will use it over winter if we have to
• Video games
• Motorhome Generator (drained)
• Canine bowls/ toys (since you simply know I’ll neglect them in any other case!) – Right here’s a listing of our important canine highway journey equipment
• Smoke alarm/ Carbon monoxide detector (sure, with batteries in. Simply in case)
• When you’ve got an exterior motorhome storage field on the rear, you’ll be able to most likely go away many of the gear in there (be sure it’s locked up and watertight), however do a fast examine first to make sure there’s nothing perishable inside.

Can I go away a TV in my RV motorhome over winter?

Sure. There isn’t a cause to take away your TV, EXCEPT for the truth that thieves might goal it.

READ MORE: The greatest 12v motorhome TVs in the marketplace

Motorhome winterisation tips- cleansing

• As soon as every thing is out, give all of it a REALLY good clear, in and out! This can be a good time to use a coat or two of wax to the skin.
• Verify awnings are completely dry earlier than storing them away
• Verify fridge/ freezer are empty & clear. Go away the door hooked ajar (there’s typically a locking setting on the fridge door catch which you’ll be able to pull out to go away it ajar)
• Stop in opposition to condensation & mould. Go away all lockers, cabinets, wardrobes and so forth ajar. Find out how we cease condensation in our motorhome right here.

Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?

Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here

Winterising a camper tips- Prime issues up!

When you’ve emptied and cleaned, take into consideration the issues you’re abandoning, and high up any fluids which shall be staying within the car, together with:

• LPG Gasoline cylinders. Refill Gaslow cylinders in case you have them. When you’ve got exchangeable cylinders, it is perhaps greatest to take away them utterly and retailer them at residence (sure, you’re going to lose your spare bed room for the winter!). That is additionally a superb time to TURN OFF all fuel bottles and likewise the primary provide into the motorhome.
• Put Anti-freeze in engine (we’ll get to utilizing antifreeze inside your motorhome plumbing in a bit)
• Engine Oil
• Motorhome Gasoline
• Verify tyre stress (additionally examine tread and ensure there isn’t a cracking/ harm earlier than winter starts- chilly climate gained’t assist that in any respect!)

Motorhome Winter Storage Suggestions- Easy methods to drain down your camper

DISCLAIMER: This can be a generic information. Most motorhome programs are very related, however please do examine your proprietor’s guide earlier than following these steps. If doubtful, ask your dealership or an area storage for recommendation in your particular mannequin.

• Empty ALL programs over an acceptable drainage level. (In the event you can angle your motorhome to get as a lot as doable out, even higher!) You would possibly need to clear your motorhome water tank first (right here’s how.)
• Ensure you have emptied: freshwater, wastewater, water heater tank and bathroom flush (if separate from freshwater) (Make sure that your rest room is empty too…!) It’s possible you’ll choose to purchase a water heater bypass equipment as a substitute. 
• Open all inner faucets (yep, whereas over the drain)- LEAVE these open all winter.
• When you’ve got a mixer faucet, open it within the center so each side are on.
• When you’ve got inline water filters, disconnect and empty these.
• Go away the water pump operating till faucets run dry (then flip it off rapidly to keep away from pump burnout)
• Take away the showerhead and drain water from the hose. Go away the hose hanging onto the toilet drain (in case you have a wetroom/ bathe room) or a bowl in case you have carpet.
• Verify beneath the motorhome and ensure the u-bends are as empty as doable (that is usually the place the bathe u-bends are)
• If doable, go for a fast drive to bump issues round and ensure every thing is as away from water as doable.
• Additionally, don’t neglect diesel and petrol have a shelf life. Now could be the time to examine motorhome mills, motorbikes or the rest within the van which makes use of gasoline and both drain it down utterly or examine the gasoline to make sure it’s nonetheless okay.

Winterize drain down Equipment for RVs, Motorhomes and Campers

For the perfect outcomes, you must push air by way of the system to get all of the water out. That is the perfect equipment we’ve discovered.

Must you use antifreeze when getting ready your motorhome for winter storage?

In the event you don’t use a drainage equipment just like the one above, there could also be some water left in your ‘u’ bends. You’ll be able to add a bit of antifreeze down the plughole to assist cease this freezing (particularly in sinks and to the bathroom cistern.) 

Must you use motorhome antifreeze within the freshwater tank?

DON’T add antifreeze to your freshwater pipe until it’s particular RV motorhome antifreeze which is non-toxic!!! This can be a protected non-toxic antifreeze to make use of in ingesting water programs.

Winter RV Motorhome Suggestions- Battery winter storage & care

First, be sure each your motorhome leisure battery and your engine battery are absolutely charged.

Engine batteries are inclined to fare higher in winter, however leisure batteries, particularly these housed in exterior lockers, typically fail in chilly climate.

This may be brought on by the age of the battery, however can typically be precipitated if the temperature drops very low. Try to keep away from this by leaving the leisure battery on a trickle cost, akin to from a photo voltaic panel, or you’ll be able to even take away the battery utterly and retailer it at residence for the winter. 

NOTE: Even when saved at residence, batteries will want top-up charging each 4-6 weeks to forestall issues.

READ MORE: Full Information to caring to your motorhome leisure battery

Must you cowl your motorhome in winter?

Ideally, you need to retailer your motorhome or campervan indoors throughout winter. If that’s not doable then sure, a motorhome cowl is a good suggestion. The extra layers of insulation the motorhome has, the higher.

Nonetheless, make certain that you employ a breathable cowl, like this, in any other case the air gained’t flow into and also you’ll trigger mould and damp. (Be warned- they’re NOT straightforward to placed on!!) You additionally need to be sure you get one which inserts your car AND which permits entry to the habitation door.

Some folks simply select to cowl their windscreen- and also you would possibly select to go away your wiper blades hinged away from the windscreen to allow them to’t freeze in place. 

Making ready your motorhome for winter- different ideas

• If you’ll be able to connect with energy, go away a small heater on low/ night time time setting to protect in opposition to freezing.
• Match exterior vents to fridges and go away fridge door open
• Go away cupboards and inside doorways open to permit air to flow into
• You’ll be able to spray a bit of WD-40 on catches, locks and a few electrics to forestall rust or corrosion. 
• Guarantee all protecting programs are working ok- alarms, trackers and so forth. It’s possible you’ll want to set up additional safety measures like an further habitation door lock– winter is a typical time for thieves to strike.

Don’t neglect to seize your FREE RV motorhome winter storage guidelines

Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?

Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here

Defend your motorhome from rodents- The biscuit take a look at!

It’s a tragic truth {that a} motorhome or campervan left alone for some time will appeal to varied animals in search of a house. Mice, rats and spiders can all transfer in throughout your absence. 

Probably the greatest tips we’ve heard of is the biscuit take a look at. 

Put a tiny piece of biscuit on the ground within the motorhome while you go away it for winter. If it’s nonetheless there while you return, you don’t have any mice or rats as residents! 

Sadly, we don’t have any good tips to discourage spiders. Conkers, laundry sheets and blocking holes with tissue might help- however don’t neglect you must go away some air flow into the van… which suggests holes. Vicious circle, sadly.

Issues to do DURING winter storage and shut down

As soon as your motorhome is ready and tucked away for the winter, you’ll be able to’t simply neglect about it for five months (though I doubt you’ll neglect anything- winter is the BEST time to plan your subsequent epic motorhome journey.)

Nonetheless, there are some issues you must do throughout winter shutdown to take care of your van. Don’t neglect, motorhomes and campers are constructed on the identical chassis as workvans. They aren’t designed to be sat idle for months on finish.

As a way to forestall points after being stood for lengthy intervals, you must do the next not less than as soon as a month if doable:

• Verify in your motorhome if it’s not parked close to you
• Search for indicators of mould or damp and take care of any potential issues asap- leaving it solely makes it worse!
• Begin the engine and ideally go for a brief drive (not less than 20 minutes)
• Go away gearbox in impartial if doable and/ or don’t use the handbrake- or alternate between the 2 to attempt to restrict put on. (That is when wheel wedges are helpful.)
• In the event you can’t drive, run the engine for half-hour and rev in a single minute intervals as soon as it’s heat (that is inferior to driving it, and will trigger build-up)
• Flip the air-conditioning on (ideally, when you’re driving the motorhome.) I do know, it’s winter, and chilly, however this actually helps maintain the system ticking over for everytime you subsequent want it. 
• Transfer the car barely so it’s not continually on the identical patch of tyre. Alternatively, use tyre savers to take the burden off, particularly in case your motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes.
• Tyre covers will be helpful too to guard the brake discs.

Whereas we’re with reference to tyres, examine (and open) your spare wheel casing in case you have one. Many individuals by no means do that and the lock corrodes, that means you’ll be able to’t entry the spare tyre when you must!

Motorhome Winter Storage Suggestions- issues to do AFTER winter

Lastly, FINALLY, winter involves an finish and it’s time to begin getting ready to your subsequent motorhome vacation. However, earlier than you set off, there are some vital issues to examine and do.

You will get a whole pre-trip & motorhome departure guidelines right here

• Reconnect something which was disconnected, just like the battery
• Verify the battery remains to be serviceable. If doubtful, get it checked professionally
• Shut any pipes left open
• Take away any vent covers, skirting or motorhome covers
• Verify tyre stress and drive car to verify there aren’t any ‘flat spots’
• Do a full engine examine, together with oil and water ranges.
• Give your engine a superb run
• Verify for any motorhome or campervan remembers to your mannequin. Does something want fixing?
• Fill gasoline and fuel
• Clear. Get your motorhome clear in and out and be prepared for the brand new season.
• Get a motorhome habitation examine completed, or do one your self (however get the fuel system professionally checked to your peace of thoughts.)

RELATED: Important motorhome checks to make earlier than each journey

I hope the above helps you put together your motorhome for winter storage.  If doubtful, please do contact a storage or motorhome seller for recommendation in your particular mannequin.

Need extra motorhome ideas? You’ll be able to discover all of them right here

Final replace on 2024-08-21 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API

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