Whereas most of us would like to be out on the street full-time, except you’ve dedicated to a nomadic way of life there can be instances when you want to park up or retailer your caravan. However how do you be sure your caravan is well-kept whereas in storage? Listed here are a couple of ideas for protecting your wheels road-ready.
1. Retailer your caravan undercover
That is at all times the best choice for protecting the outside of your caravan slick and glossy, away from the paint-fading solar that may additionally injury rubber seals. Undercover choices akin to sheds and carports can forestall water injury and leaks, and make it straightforward to pack the van once you’re able to hit the street once more.
If you happen to do should retailer your caravan outside, be sure it’s on a degree floor and the tyres are inflated to their highest beneficial strain to assist forestall put on spots.
2. Cowl up
Caravan covers are an excellent backup possibility, however they’ll include issues. Initially, I like to recommend looking for assist to place the quilt on – they are often awkward. Additionally, if not secured tightly they’ll flap about within the wind. You also needs to measure the exterior size of your van to verify the quilt is the right dimension on your car. This can cease any rubbing which might damage your paintwork. If you happen to’re not meaning to retailer your caravan for too lengthy, you possibly can match a water-proof drawbar cowl.
3. Clear out the cabin
Beginning within the kitchen, take any perishable meals objects out of the cabinets in order that ants or different vermin aren’t attracted. You’ll additionally need to empty and switch off the fridge and freezer, leaving the doorways open. After cleansing the fridge, I go away a container of bi-carb soda open within the fridge to soak up any odours and moisture.
Bedding, towels and linen can both be eliminated, washed and saved till they’re wanted once more. You may additionally remake the mattress once more whereas your caravan is shops, prepared for a fast getaway subsequent time.
In case your van has an ensuite, you possibly can go away merchandise in lavatory cabinets in the event that they’re not perishable. Nonetheless, be sure to test the dates of any medicines and first assist merchandise to make sure they can be utilized once more once they’re wanted.
Depart the van curtains or blinds closed when storing your caravan to avoid wasting on solar injury or fading to the inside surfaces.
4. Energy down
We retailer our caravan at residence and maintain it always plugged into 240 volt. This retains the batteries trickle-charged, however in the event you’re utilizing a storage facility and the facility is off, take the battery out and maintain it on a trickle charger earlier than the following journey. Be sure that to test that each one the home equipment are working as they need to once you energy up once more.
Earlier than storing your caravan, be sure gasoline bottles are turned off and lined, or take them out and retailer them securely away from the van.
5. Recent as a daisy
To maintain issues odour-free when storing your caravan, be sure the bathroom canister is totally empty and rinsed. Give the inside an excellent clear and go away a room deodoriser or a scented liquid diffuser inside.Â
Examine contained in the van now and again to verify all of it appears okay.
6. Exterior clear
Clear the caravan exterior earlier than storing it and test it frequently to maintain cobwebs away from pipes, shops and vents. Water tanks could be emptied and refilled with recent water earlier than the following journey. Now can even be an excellent time to offer the caravan a polish and apply a rust-proofing lubricating spray on the legs.
7. Shoo pests
To discourage ants, cockroaches and different pests from taking on residence in your saved caravan, put some bait traps in and out for peace of thoughts. It’s additionally price brushing the underside of the van with a brush each every so often.
Learn subsequent:
This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks to merchandise. We might obtain a fee for purchases made via these hyperlinks.
