The rules at the storage yard I use are:
1: Don't leave gas bottles in the van (fire risk)
2: Disconnect leisure batteries (ditto).
Also, be aware that in winter you'll need to remove anything that contains liquid that can freeze at British winter temperatures. If it freezes it'll expand and could burst the container, so when it thaws it'll leak. For me that means any toilet chemicals, toiletries, food and drink etc comes home once the weather turns chilly in around November until the frosts have finished in about April. And I remove the battery then, too, as well as ensuring the toilet is completely drained down (I always drain the water systems anyway).
As long as they are clean and dry, bedding and towels will be fine all year round.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 20/9/2009
The rules at the storage yard I use are:
1: Don't leave gas bottles in the van (fire risk)
2: Disconnect leisure batteries (ditto).
I wonder how many storage companies imposed the above on their customers. We have never known any of the storage facilities in our area to impose such draconian measures on their customers.
So what do you do with the gas bottles while the caravan is in storage as it may be illegal to transport them or even store them at home. As for disconnecting leisure batteries, totally ridiculous. What difference is that going to make whether it is disconnected or not?
Any bed linen, pillows, towels etc we leave in during summer but for winter we put them in plastic bags to keep the damp out as the van will get “Damp Condensation” inside when the temperatures drop to there lowest. That way come time to take the van out again we know all the linen is in it and ready to go. We also put these under the bed or in the cupboards out of site. As mentioned earlier make sure all the fluids are drained and the taps left open in the mid position with mixer types so the air can get in and let the water out. Also if you have a shower make sure you have drained the pipe to the shower head else this will freeze.
A chap we know has his van in storage, he doesn't disconnect his battery beause it powers his alarm. I've never heard him mention about his gas, but he does say they keep enough stuff in the van so they can simply call in, hitch up & go off for a weekend. That leads me to think he's allowed to keep what he likes in his. Perhaps some places have different restriction put on them by their insurance companies & have to set rules accordingly.
Tbh, there are no hard and fast rules on our storage site either. But we do see quite alot of others on there with huge great signs in their windows claiming 'Nothing is stored in this caravan/motorhome' or 'All valuables have been removed' and the like. although we're not convinced that they're always telling the truth as they do seem to be all set for a quick get away more often than not, but it's supposed to deter thieves of course, NOT other caravanners.
As for our own tin tent, (which until now has sadly, only been used for 2 weeks a year......DON'T get me started on that but we're hopeful this is about to change....), we disconnect the battery, leave the gas bottles in situ but turned off of course, all water containers and cassette loo are drained and I prop the fridge door open after drying it as thoroughly as I can and leave lengths of kitchen roll along the bottom just incase there's any wet stuff I've missed and this way it won't pong when we next come to use it. As for tins, jars etc. I do make sure that all out of date stuff or already opened stuff comes out, but unopened tins/jars that will still be in date for the following summer, (amazing just how long a tin of beans can be viable!), stay put.
We bring the sheets/duvet covers/pillowcases home but leave the duvet itself and pillows in storage bags and then give them a freshen up before the next outing along with the sleeping bags. We do leave a couple of clean kitchen towels and tea towels in there and just add to them for a full two weeks away.
If we wanted to completely clear out the tin tent, we'd need another house to store it all in
And all this talk of what we usually do has served to remind me that as our hols were cancelled due to hubby having his heart attack the day before we were due to set off for Cornwall....I've got shed loads of stuff to bring back home again coz we'd been putting bits and pieces back in it during that week! Knickers! Oh I might just chance fate and leave it put as we're still hoping, (gawd I HOPE we can still do this), for an autumn break, all being well on hubby's health front.....
Blimey! I'd completely forgotten about the awning and breathable ground sheet! We do take those home too Along with the garden chairs, awning table and portable bbq. Chairs we use in the garden anyhoo and the awning table comes in handy for my glass painting, or sewing machine when I do those out in the sunshine...when we have any
Leave gas in situ (disconnected) and battery stays connected. All kitchen and bathroom items stay in the van .along with the outside table and chairs, sat dish etc., take home awning as travels in car for better weight distribution. Some tinned food, sauces, condiments etc. left in cupboard. Leave douvet and pillow but take home bedding to wash.
I don't know about the gas bizz but if you disconnect your leisure battery, your alarm and tracker unit, if fitted, will eventually run down. In which case you will have no alarm or tracker which, if stated on your insurance that you do have, will render your insurance void.
So it would have to be a storage facility that was as secure as a high security jail before I would leave my van there without its usual anti-theft devices on and set.
While our caravan is in 365 day storgae in Cornwall, we call it out roughly once a month and its only really in storage between late November and early March. We dont remove anything but put linnens etc into vacuum bags. We allow room for the air to circulate as it will get damp over the winter but if aired sufficiently thats not a problem.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
I leave my battery connected, but one of the rules of our storeage site is to disconnect the gas. We drain water every time we leave a site, but doulbe check when leaving over winter. Also, over winter check to make sure all liquid is out of toilet (flush and tank). We remove all bedding from van, but virtually everything else we leave in. We never leave the TV in the van, at any time.
Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 20/9/2009
I leave my battery connected, but one of the rules of our storeage site is to disconnect the gas.
Is there a difference between disconnecting the gas bottle or leaving it connected and closed? I can't see a difference but then maybe it is becasue I am missing something?
If there were a serious fire in a caravan would any one open the front locker to remove the gas bottles? Some how I doubt it as most sensible people will stand clear.
One thing to be careful about is not leaving behind any food which could attract mice. Any dry foods (like sugar, cereal, pasta, rice etc) that we leave in ours are always sealed into storage containers (Tupperware etc,).
- and never make the mistake of leaving stuff in the freezer compartment. It is very easily done and not nice to find out about later!
Finding this thread very interesting, we as Nelmo are on our first caravan (tents before) picked it up at the beginning of June and been away in it 5 long weekends in all.
I notice that Ulti-Mates mentioned mice, my caravan is stored on a caravan storage site out in the country and the owner has mentioned the fact that other caravanner's have had problems with mice. What do other caravanner's do to deter mice apart from take out any dry food. Do you put down traps, I've also heard of some sort of sonic noise thingy which deters them, has anyone used these and do you recommend them? We have been told by the site owner to make sure any holes etc are covered up for the winter, so the mice can't get in (apparently they made a right mess of the soft furnishings in one caravan and had lots of babies)
You can get a battery operated rodent repeller like this one on ebay - and they do work - but as a previous posting says, don't leave any foodstuffs in the van (or soap as some mice will eat that too!).
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: What can you leave in storage?
but we're hopeful this is about to change....), we disconnect the battery, leave the gas bottles in situ but turned off of course, all water containers and cassette loo are drained and I prop the fridge door open after drying it as thoroughly as I can and leave lengths of kitchen roll along the bottom just incase there's any wet stuff I've missed and this way it won't pong when we next come to use it. As for tins, jars etc. I do make sure that all out of date stuff or already opened stuff comes out, but unopened tins/jars that will still be in date for the following summer, (amazing just how long a tin of beans can be viable!), stay put.
