Thsi is the first year that we have owned our motorhome. Could we please request any hints & tips regarding both winter use & winterisation. Any info.would be helpful especially as we don't want burst pipes etc if it's parked.
Drain all of the tanks and leave the taps open, empty the loo and the flush tank if it is not done from the main water tank. If you have a wall mounted water heater some of those have bleed screws under the front cover that need to be opened to allow water to drain out of them to prevent burst pipes inside the boiler ( don't forget to do it up again before you fill your tak though) We leave the tap on the waste tank open but put plugs in the sinks and shower tray. If you are leaving the van for any length of time through the winter or any time during the year a wine bottle cork under each of the windscreen wiper arms lift the rubber blades off of the glass and prevent them becoming damaged due to frost and ice. if you forget they are there and use the wipers the corks just fall off and so dont get in the way.
We leave our van in gear and take off the handbrake but have got chocs behind the wheels to stop movement too.
Just to go on from Tina's excellent policy, when leaving the waste tap open place a small piece of sponge in the end of the waste pipe to prevent wild lofe climbing in for a winters hibernation. Similarly this also applies to the carver water heater when you have removed the drain bung.
Having the facility to connect our van to the mains at home we also run a small convector heater in the coldest months and of course frequently take the van out to keep batteries charged and tyres healthy.
Using the van during the winter necessitates us going through the drain down procedure several times but as yet we have never had anything freeze.
I keep an oil-filled radiator on frost setting over the winter when I'm at home. It helps to stop condensation and keeps the chill off. Charge both the batteries from time to time, Dont forget to move the van a couple of feet either way every fortnight to stop 'flats' forming at the bottom of the tyres. I also keep the front raised slightly to stop puddles gathering on the roof.
The best hint and tip is (and I wish I could do it) would be to go to the South of France or Spain for the Winter. Not very helpful I know but at least we can at least dream.
Drain all your water, leave your taps open, keep you battery's charged. If you have an alarm then yourr battery will drain in about 1 month with doing nothing. (have solar panel so not an issue for me - becareful of the little solar panels that plug into your cigarete lighter, your circuit is not live (in most cases) until you switch your engine on, so you think you are getting a trickle charge but in fact your are not)
Try to go out in it for about 20 mins every 2-3 weeks, even if its just to the local B&Q (pick up all tose big things that wont fit into your car) This will stop deterioration to the tyres and also keep the brakes in fine working order. If possible leave the hand brake off (but in gear) this will stop the brakes sticking especially if you last used the vehicle when damp or wet.
would you bl**dy believe it, spent over 3 hours washing the outside of the motorhome on Sunday (including the roof) only to find that today a flock of passing birds have used it as target practise.
Even better than moving your van as suggested, why not go away for the weekend in it. Lots of sites stay open over the winter, even if you take a small radiator or fan heater (saves using our diesel one and giving Gordon more money) especially if you pay for hook up already.
Silver screens are good too.
My top tip for winter campievanning is a hot water bottle in bed and really cheap too.
We drain down each time during the winter so don't really bother putting the pink flush fluid in until Spring.
All tanks emptied loo holding tank if it has one drained via the water level tube that clips off.
Carver water heater it has a 3/4 inch bung at the bottom with a slot in it take it out save the neophrene washer and drain down.
I use a motorcycle optimiser charger on the engine battery keeps it charged fully and floats it over winter although you must have a hook up Ive used the solar battery chargers but it want enough to keep up with the alarm drain and cold temperatures which really knock the voltage down, this was mainly due to lack of light hours through the winter. In the spring i had to buy a new battery.
Leisures i charge periodically but again a motorcycle charger might be bought to sort them out.
Ive had mis-shaped tyres due to flatting over winter the tyres go really out of shape so move it so it doesnt sit on the same spot. you could always take them off and sit the motor on stands. good theft deterent.
Check the strength of the anti freeze with a tester.
You could use a fire but you have to watch if its causing condensation thats a killer for fabric`s.
Quote: Originally posted by Tina-Marie on 02/11/2006
Drain all of the tanks and leave the taps open, empty the loo and the flush tank if it is not done from the main water tank. If you have a wall mounted water heater some of those have bleed screws under the front cover that need to be opened to allow water to drain out of them to prevent burst pipes inside the boiler ( don't forget to do it up again before you fill your tak though) We leave the tap on the waste tank open but put plugs in the sinks and shower tray. If you are leaving the van for any length of time through the winter or any time during the year a wine bottle cork under each of the windscreen wiper arms lift the rubber blades off of the glass and prevent them becoming damaged due to frost and ice. if you forget they are there and use the wipers the corks just fall off and so dont get in the way.
We leave our van in gear and take off the handbrake but have got chocs behind the wheels to stop movement too.
Tina
Brill idea.... we had two nights of sharp frost last week and the corks did a great job... when you set off first thing in the morning..you just turn on the wipers the corks fall off.... and you pick them back up when you get home.... the 'Black' rubber ones are the best...cos they are slightly longer than the cork ones....
-------------
Lord Scratcher and Lady Jayne
.............................
You tried your best
and failed MISERABLY.
The lesson is : NEVER TRY .
We didn't fully winterise ours last year, as we went off for the day in it, even if only to drive to a local beauty spot and have a cuppa for a few hours, just to give it a run. We always drain off the fresh water by running it through the system to flush the waste tank, and always empty the loo. All I've done extra this year, is take out anything in the way of food stuffs that may go off, such as gravy granuels, milkshake powder, salt, sugar and so on. Also gone through any other foodstuffs and checked their sell by dates. Make sure any bedding or curtains etc are away from walls or windows or they will get mildew on them. If you are fully winterising, lift the cushions up so the air can circulate. Put some pot pouri in a bowl to help keep it smelling nice. Every so often, open the door and windows to change the air and ventilate to stop it smelling 'stale'. Remember to leave the fridge door ajar (we open it then shove the lock across to stop it closing) If you don't then by the next time you open it, you will have a big black and green furry monster come out to greet you
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Topic: Winter Hints & Tips
the 'Black' rubber ones are the best...cos they are slightly longer than the cork ones....
