batteries caravan
Storing your caravan over winter
As the days are getting shorter and the weather worsens it’s clear that winter is upon us. And if you’re the owner of a caravan, it’s time to prepare for Jack Frost. If you don’t look after your caravan during winter then you could be in for costly repairs next summer. Here are a few helpful hints and tips to ensure that you beat the worst that winter has to offer.
Preparing the interior
The first thing to do when storing your caravan for winter, is to remove all of the contents including the cushions, bedding and curtains, and if possible, store them in your home. If left inside the caravan, there is the chance that they could become damp and stain, making them unusable the following year.
You should always thoroughly clean the inside of your caravan including all appliances, ensuring that there is no food or debris left inside. You don’t want any little visitors taking up a new home for hibernation! It’s a good idea to clean the fridge and freezer with bicarbonate of soda, and leave the door open to avoid pressure build up and the possibility of a stagnant smell and mould build up. Leave all internal cupboard doors open to allow air to circulate.
If you have a hot and cold water system in the caravan, drain it by opening all taps and removing the drain plug. Then ensure that the water filter is removed, ready to be replaced next year. Drain all water tanks, leaving plugs out to avoid unwanted smells, corrosion and risk of pipes cracking when frozen.
When it comes to the leisure battery, remove it and keep the charge topped up every 5-6 weeks so it doesn’t go flat.
Finally, close and lock all windows and vents and close the blinds or curtains for extra security.
External checks
Thoroughly clean the outside of the caravan before you put it into storage and once dry either spray it with an overwintering fluid or cover it with a breathable caravan cover. Overwintering fluid provides a protective coat and prevents any excess build up of grime ready for the summer session. A breathable cover, which can be bought from most good camping and caravanning stores, protects the caravan from the elements.
Jacking up the caravan up and putting it on to axle stands ensures that pressure is removed from the tyres, increasing their lifespan by preventing flat spots from forming. The last thing you’d want when eventually coming to use your caravan again is to discover you need a new set of tyres!
Wash the awning and ensure it’s completely dried before storing it away, preferably in the house, for winter.
Throughout winter, ensure that periodic inspections are carried out, to ensure that your caravan is safe and secure and that nothing has happened. By caring for your caravan and maintaining it not only when it’s in full use, but also when it’s resting, you’re much less likely to run into problems.
If you’re looking to buy a new or used caravan, search for a reputable dealer online, ensuring you opt for one which can offer caravan finance should you require funds to make your purchase.
About the Author
Marketing Executive, IM Financial Services Leisure
|
|
RoadPro RPBH-012 12V Beverage Heater $7.59 Plugs directly into your cigarette lighter socket – for use with glass or ceramic containers only – place heater coil directly into your beverage – - – - – - -…… |
|
|
HQRP 6W Amorphous Solar Panel 6 Watt 12V Battery Maintainer / Trickle Charger for Car Auto Bike Motorcycle Scooter RV Boat plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester HQRP Amorphous Solar Panels are an effective solution for those who want to use solar panels in the household, during vacation, and for camping or tourism, etc. The structure of the Amorphous-Si PV modules allows the solar panel to charge the battery under poor lightening. Such Amorphous-Si panels not only work longer during the day hours but also are more effective during the winter time. Amorpho… |
|
|
HQRP 10W Amorphous Solar Panel 10 Watt 12V Battery Maintainer / Trickle Charger for Car Auto Bike Motorcycle Scooter RV Boat plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester HQRP Amorphous Solar Panels are an effective solution for those who want to use solar panels in the household, during vacation, and for camping or tourism, etc. The structure of the Amorphous-Si PV modules allows the solar panel to charge the battery under poor lightening. Such Amorphous-Si panels not only work longer during the day hours but also are more effective during the winter time. Amorpho… |
|
|
HQRP 25W Amorphous Solar Panel 25 Watt 12V Battery Maintainer / Trickle Charger for Car Auto Bike Motorcycle Scooter RV Boat plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester HQRP Amorphous Solar Panels are an effective solution for those who want to use solar panels in the household, during vacation, and for camping or tourism, etc. The structure of the Amorphous-Si PV modules allows the solar panel to charge the battery under poor lightening. Such Amorphous-Si panels not only work longer during the day hours but also are more effective during the winter time. Amorpho… |
|
|
Audiovox IR1CFF IR Wireless Single Channel Automotive Headphones $26.95 HEAD PHONE FOLDDWN… |
|
|
Audiovox IR2CFF IR Wireless Dual Channel Headset $34.42 Audiovox Car IR2CFF IR Wireless Dual Channel Headset features Auto Shut-Off Foam Earpiece Fold Flat Design for storage Batteries included…. |
|
|
Pioneer CD-R510 Card Remote for 2007 Pioneer Car Stereos $8.99 The CDR510 brings the traditional professional combination deck into the next generation, where digital technology has eliminated the need for cassettes. Featuring a CD player/CD recorder combination, the unit merges the simple operation of one-touch record with upgraded capability in playback accepting CD, CD-R, CD-RW, unfinalized discs, & even MP3 file formats! A recording is a one-time opportun… |
|
|
Pretend and Play Camp Set $18.44 Ages 3-5 Set up your campsite anywhere with this 9-piece set. Includes unique battery-powered lantern and stove (require 2 AA batteries each, not included), water bottle, working compass watch, cup, pan, shovel, first aid kit and utensil set…. |
|
|
Barbie Pink Glamour Camper $84.99 Hit the open road and get ready for an adventure-filled camping trip in Barbie’s Pink Glamour Camper. Outfitted with a pop-out tent, appliances that make sounds, and over 30 accessories, the camper will have your child and Barbie feeling comfortable in their new home away from home. Designed for ages three and up, the Glamour Camper provides interactive and role-playing opportunities for the Barbi… |
|
|
Coca-Cola Holiday Helicopter Carrier with Lighted Truck Limited Edition $25.99 Coca Cola 2000 Hoilday Helicopter Carrier – Lights Up… |
|
|
FIAMM 72112 Freeway Blaster Horn $9.86 The Freeway Blaster Horn is designed for addition to, or replacing, the original equipment horn(s) to alert drivers in noisy and high speed traffic. Versatility and rugged construction. Features steel housing and plastic projector. Copper wire coil motor…. |
|
|
CTEK Multi US 7002 12V Battery Charger $98.99 Includes two interchangeable connection leads, one with clamps, and one with eyelet terminals; 5 year limited warranty Eight step, automatic switch charging and four separate charge modes that together allow for easy, convenient, no-watch battery charging Charges 12-volt lead-acid batteries (Wet, MF, Gel, AGM and Ca) from 14Ah to 150Ah (charging), 14Ah to 225Ah (maintenance) Maintenance pulse char… |
|
|
Vauxhall Cavalier (Oct ’88 to ’92) Handbook and Driver’s Guide (Handbooks and Drivers’ Guides) (Handbooks & Drivers’ Guides) … |
|
|
Coleman 5008C700T Camping Coffeemaker, Black $44.99 Drip-brews coffee just like your household coffeemaker, plus it makes many other hot drinks like hot cocoa, hot cider, and even soup. It features a removable swing-out filter basket, solid steel base, easy-pour decanter, and brewing pause-N-serve. The coffeemaker works with 2 and 3-burner campstoves. It holds enough water to make 8 to 12 cups of coffee…. |
|
|
HQRP 30 Watt Flexible Solar Panel 30W Power 12V Monocrystalline PV Module w/ 4 Stainless Grommets for RV Boat Yacht plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester $139.91 HQRP 30 Watt (30W) Flexible Solar Electric Power Panel. Being reliable in service and compact this unite is right for using it outdoors and during travel. Durability of the panels gives you a good opportunity to produce unlimited quantity of energy and charge batteries and accumulators for your cars, boats, snow mobile, golf-cart etc. The maximum bend angle of of this flexible panel is 30%. The pa… |
|
|
HQRP 15 Watt Flexible Solar Panel 15W Power 12V Monocrystalline PV Module w/ 4 Stainless Grommets for RV Boat Yacht plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester $79.91 HQRP 15 Watt (15W) Flexible Solar Electric Power Panel. Being reliable in service and compact this unite is right for using it outdoors and during travel. Durability of the panels gives you a good opportunity to produce unlimited quantity of energy and charge batteries and accumulators for your cars, boats, snow mobile, golf-cart etc. The maximum bend angle of of this flexible panel is 30%. The pa… |
|
|
RoadPro RPBH-012 12V Beverage Heater $7.59 Plugs directly into your cigarette lighter socket – for use with glass or ceramic containers only – place heater coil directly into your beverage – - – - – - -…… |
|
|
HQRP 6W Amorphous Solar Panel 6 Watt 12V Battery Maintainer / Trickle Charger for Car Auto Bike Motorcycle Scooter RV Boat plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester HQRP Amorphous Solar Panels are an effective solution for those who want to use solar panels in the household, during vacation, and for camping or tourism, etc. The structure of the Amorphous-Si PV modules allows the solar panel to charge the battery under poor lightening. Such Amorphous-Si panels not only work longer during the day hours but also are more effective during the winter time. Amorpho… |
|
|
HQRP 10W Amorphous Solar Panel 10 Watt 12V Battery Maintainer / Trickle Charger for Car Auto Bike Motorcycle Scooter RV Boat plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester HQRP Amorphous Solar Panels are an effective solution for those who want to use solar panels in the household, during vacation, and for camping or tourism, etc. The structure of the Amorphous-Si PV modules allows the solar panel to charge the battery under poor lightening. Such Amorphous-Si panels not only work longer during the day hours but also are more effective during the winter time. Amorpho… |
|
|
HQRP 25W Amorphous Solar Panel 25 Watt 12V Battery Maintainer / Trickle Charger for Car Auto Bike Motorcycle Scooter RV Boat plus HQRP UV Chain / UV Radiation Health Tester HQRP Amorphous Solar Panels are an effective solution for those who want to use solar panels in the household, during vacation, and for camping or tourism, etc. The structure of the Amorphous-Si PV modules allows the solar panel to charge the battery under poor lightening. Such Amorphous-Si panels not only work longer during the day hours but also are more effective during the winter time. Amorpho… |
|
|
Pretend and Play Camp Set $18.44 Ages 3-5 Set up your campsite anywhere with this 9-piece set. Includes unique battery-powered lantern and stove (require 2 AA batteries each, not included), water bottle, working compass watch, cup, pan, shovel, first aid kit and utensil set…. |
|
|
Barbie Pink Glamour Camper $84.99 Hit the open road and get ready for an adventure-filled camping trip in Barbie’s Pink Glamour Camper. Outfitted with a pop-out tent, appliances that make sounds, and over 30 accessories, the camper will have your child and Barbie feeling comfortable in their new home away from home. Designed for ages three and up, the Glamour Camper provides interactive and role-playing opportunities for the Barbi… |
|
|
Coca-Cola Holiday Helicopter Carrier with Lighted Truck Limited Edition $25.99 Coca Cola 2000 Hoilday Helicopter Carrier – Lights Up… |
