We bought our very first caravan, a 1997 Swift Classic Baronette, just over a week ago and love her. The plan was to spend the winter doing her up (new curtains, seat covers, flooring etc etc) and we were planning on investing in a really good quality winter cover for her.
Unfortunately on Wednesday my husband found out he was being made redundant and all our lovely plans went on hold. I'm sure he'll get another job (especially with all the gentle encouragement he's getting from me!!!!) but we're also very aware that if he hasn't found anything in the spring then we'll have to sell the caravan (or the kids!!)
My question is should I get a cover for her or make do with some tarpaulin that we have from our camping days for over the winter? On one hand I want to protect her as much as possible, but I don't want to spend over £100 on a cover if she won't need it or a piece of tarp will do.
We're also planning on draining all of the systems over the next week as all trips out in her have been cancelled :-( and I don't want to leave it too late.
Is there anything I have missed that would help protect her over the winter?
Its probably not been covered for the last 16yrs so no need to cover it now. There also is no real need to spend out on new curtains etc either. Just ensure caravan is well ventilated when parked over winter, leave cupboard & toilet doors open to allow air to circulate through the permanent vents & next yr with luck you should be able to afford to use it.
If he doesn't manage to get a reasonable job the caravan could be a cheap way to get away. Well worth trying to keep it if it don't cost anything to store over the winter.
Cheap covers can tear easily. Tarp. could scratch the living daylights out of your windows and paint. Good coat of wax, Autoglym or something will be cheaper and better.
I would add to jack the van up onto blocks under the axles if you can to take the weight off the tires as leaving them standing in one position for a long time can ruin the tires and keep the battery charged up as well to keep it in good condition.
I read on here that someone put a few bowls of salt around the caravan to absorb any moisture. Can't vouch for it personally as only had our first caravan for 2 weeks!
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
Yep, bowls of salt (dry out periodically on the radiators in the house, then put back) cushions all standing upright, seat lockers open, doors all open, including the fridge door.
I have used a tarp in an emergency (with no ill effects) and now have a winter cover for mine. Once it's washed and clean, it's covered and only needs a dust in the spring. One year I had a leak that I didn't know about, it would have been a darned site worse in the spring if I hadn't put a cover on, but it was a quick repair as it happened... because I had put a cover on it. It would have been rotten by the spring if there hadn't been a cover.
Rule of thumb I read on here is 'if it's over 10 years old, put a cover on it'. Nowt wrong with a tarp, just make sure to cover first with an old sheet (preferably brushed cotton!) and then the tarp won't chafe. And tie it down well, so that it can't move about.
My caravan is so small I often wonder if I could make me a garage for it out of an old awning, and just put it in there for the winter!
By the way, a good pair or two of charity shop/car boot curtains will make both new small caravan curtains and covers for your seats, and an off-cut of either carpet or vinyl floor covering is really cheap too, so don't give up your dreams, just lower your sights and find less expensive materials to do her up!
Fingers crossed hubby gets another job, but if not you will still be able to go away a few times in your caravan.
Quote: Originally posted by rebmum2004 on 06/10/2013
Hello
.
Unfortunately on Wednesday my husband found out he was being made redundant and all our lovely plans went on hold. I'm sure he'll get another job (especially with all the gentle encouragement he's getting from me!!!!) but we're also very aware that if he hasn't found anything in the spring then we'll have to sell the caravan (or the kids!!)
Get rid of the kids, if you want them later you can always have fun and make some more. :-)
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
Sorry to hear about the job loss , hope your other half finds something else soon . If you can afford a little fuel visit some cl sites , it's sometimes Cheaper than staying home with the heating on . Make the most of the free time. The improvements can be done as and when things get back to normal.
Thanks everyone for your advice and I've passed all your good wishes onto my hubby which has really cheered him up.
As we have the space I'm going to take all the cushions out and take them home to keep them dry. We'll also be filling up lots of bowls of salt and dotting them around the van to help keep her dry over the winter. Luckily we go past where she is stored once a week so I'll also be able to keep a really close eye on her over the winter and act quickly if there are any problems.
Fingers crossed hubby will get another job quickly and one he actually likes as he's been unhappy and talking about looking for another job for months now. Then I can go back to plan A and do our lovely van up over the winter.
Thanks again for your help and your positive thoughts.
Quote: Originally posted by greenhill on 07/10/2013
I read on here that someone put a few bowls of salt around the caravan to absorb any moisture...
Personally (and this seems to be an ongoing debate), I'd recommend against this idea. There is a general misconception that dehumidifiers, bowls of salt etc., help with reducing moisture in the air. They simply draw in the moisture that is naturally present anyway and prompt the idea that they yield some benefit.
In addition, bowls of damp salt can cause a reaction on the surface onto which they are placed which can stain/damage some finishes.
If the van is suitably ventilated, doors propped open where necessary and soft furnishings (ideally) removed to ensure good venting throughout, you shouldn't encounter issues of "air-borne" damp.
PS: sorry to hear of your personal circumstances Theresa, hope all improves for you soon.
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Topic: Budget caravan care over winter
