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I know its still summer, but just wondering what people do to protect their caravans during the winter? I am looking to get a cover but what about the tyres, do you remove the wheels or cover them up? I have seen those metal plates you can put on in place of the wheels, anyone use those?

Cheers, James

Re. the tyres - ideally it's best to remove the roadwheels to protect the tyres, but check your insurance as some insist on wheelclamps being fitted so you have to leave the wheels on.

I have two spare wheels with older tyres which I use for winter storage. The good tyres go into the garage so they are kept out of the light. The older wheels go onto the van so you can still keep a wheelclamp fitted.

We have toyed with the idea of a cover after last years winter but then the caravan did not show any sign of problems with the heavy snow frost etc of last winter. Covers can create their own problems so I think its a toss of a coin whether to get one or not.

I took my wheels off and kept them in the garage in hessian. I put SAS winter wheels on the van and they were no problem at all. Keeps the wheels in good condition. My insurance requires one wheel lock in place. I would argue that a winter wheel is a wheel lock but anyway, I take the view that with Steel fencing, electronic locks that can only work from the Blackberry of the owner, lasers, cameras, ditches, anti theft lights who would be daft enough to try and steel a caravan from Gold standard storage. Even if they did try, they would steel one with wheels on anyway so my risk assessment is that my van is safe in storage with winter wheels on.

I kept the battery in the van from November until February and then thought I should take it out. Checked the charge and it was about full. From then I kept topping it up. This winter I will take it out when I leave the van in storage and top up regularly. Just another security issue....no battery!!!

Gave her a good bath and polish before putting baby to bed last October and will do the same this year.

Phil