What is your general thinking about checking vans in storage in the winter?
I have a friend who just drains everything, takes bedding and perishables out puts mice poison down (!?) and leaves it alone until spring.
Then I know people who go every couple of weeks, check it over, clean it, run the heating etc.
As we are planning to store ours about 50 miles in case we want to do winter weekends (not sure yet but being prepared)what if we don't use it for weekends? How often should we check it?
The distance may have some bearing on where we choose if recommendations are to check it every couple of weeks.
I searched topics but didn't find the answer to this so hope you don't mind me starting new thread?
I definitely agree with draining everything down but the best checking I can think of is using it. What better than a cosy van with frost outside. Seriously, just make sure air can flow freely, don't cram too much into the storage areas which would block air vents.
Our van is in storage about 20 minutes away. We drain the water system, empty cupboards of all foods, doors are shut or they might just warp. We dont bother with the heating and go down 4 - 5 weeks.
Thanks everyone. Reading all the posts there seems to be a core of basic common sense like draining water, leaving taps open etc but everything else seems a personal preference.
Blinds up/blinds down
cushions out/cushions in
dehumidifiers yes/no
cupboard doors open/closed
block sink outlets/leave open
grease some joints/dont grease others
put winter wheels on/leave usual ones on but cover them
I suppose it depends on each van, its age, windows, lagging, insulation, where it is kept, etc etc
All good advice all over the forum so I guess I will have to do basics as recommended and make a personal decision on the rest.
I must admit, the advice to use it and be cosy inside and enjoy the autumn and winter weekends too sounds the preferred option so far!! I guess the sites are quieter then too..............................
Mine's in storage and I like to check it every month or six weeks because, if nothing else, the van is moved and so the mechanicals and tyres get a workout!
As Daz says above, using the van is the best way of checking on it, but I don't like caravanning once the temp dips below freezing. It's all very picturesque until you have to go to the cold water tap!
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Can I ask a probably a daft question - how do mice get in? This just got me thinking that as although our caravan is on our driveway when we extended a couple of years ago and knocked down the existing detached garage, in the old workshop bit at the back which we didn't use there were plenty of signs of mice nesting so do you reckon we should take some preventative measures to be on the safe side or is it quite unlikely to happen
I must admit, the advice to use it and be cosy inside and enjoy the autumn and winter weekends too sounds the preferred option so far!! I guess the sites are quieter then too..............................
thanks for help much appreciated
Definitely give it a try over the winter, we used ours last winter a few times & enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than the summer.
We even went away in the snow, it was great getting all toasty & watching it fall, we just put the heater on 4 and left it on all weekend to maintain the cosy temperature.
Quite often you find the weather is better in winter, yes it's colder but you get crisp, clear days & a heck of a lot less people.
Fiona, Mice usually appear first in the front locker. They only need about 6mm to squeeze through (once their head is through, the body will follow). Depending on the location etc. I would suggest checking for droppings reguglarly-the easiest way to detect mice early. Next would be to keep a "little-nipper" mouse trap in the front locker (remembering it's there!!!) If a mouse was to get inside the caravan (and it's very rare) if it was poisoned and died in an inaccessible place, the smell would be very unpleasant. Worst thing is, you'd probably only smell it when you were going away!
I can see the sense of checking a stored van regularly over the winter, but surely quite a lot of people aren't able to do this? I'm thinking about people who store their vans some distance frome home, close to or at their normal holiday destination eg France, Cornwall.
Anyone got any experience of this? How much would being stored indoors help?
Thanks
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
we have indoor storage so we just drain empty and leave untill next time we go dont worry about the weather etc blowing off roof lights and site owners are always there just in case
drain down fully,do not forget the toilet flush tank.leave all taps open in the centre position.remove shower head,pull out shower pipe fully and drain.leave plugs in sinks to stop smells.remove ALL papers and cloths to prevent nest making for the mice.said moth balls keeps them away!!!!.if you can remove cushions to your loft.leave blinds open to prevent springs being damaged.clean fridge with strong solution of milton and leave door open.leave cupboard doors shut to prevent warping.
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Topic: frequency of checking van in winter stora
