Tips for tucking up your motorhome this Winter
At Priory, our motorhomes are ready to go all year round. However, if you’re one of the lucky owners of a Priory Used Motorhome, there’ll come a time, for even the most hardcore enthusiasts amongst you, when your pride and joy will need to be rested up for the Winter.
Preventing Condensation
Dropping temperatures and damper air are bound to result in condensation forming on windows and other internal surfaces. Left unchecked, any dampness can lead to mildew or mould forming and an unpleasant musty smell. Many DIY shops will sell moisture absorbing crystals, even bowls of salt or dry rice might help. Still air can exacerbate the effects of damp, so make sure your motorhome is well ventilated. If you’re going to leave your motorhome unused for extended periods, consider heating it up for a little while as part of your regular checks.
Leave nothing behind
A good post season clean is almost certainly on your list of things to do. Removing absolutely everything you can remove will not only make this task easier, it’ll help keep the damp at bay. Cushions, mattresses and any other soft furnishings are very good at absorbing moisture from damp air and condensation. This provides a veritable breeding ground for mould, so taking textiles home and storing them indoors will help them and your motorhome to stay fresh. Leaving cupboards, internal doors and the fridge open will help air circulate too. It goes without saying that anything in the fridge should be taken out also. You wouldn’t want to spend time in Spring evicting the smell of what used to be a sandwich from your motorhome! If you have onboard water tanks, don’t forget to drain them and make sure the water lines are all empty.
Hit the carwash
We probably don’t need to encourage you to give the outside of your motorhome a clean, but the pre-winter polish is especially important. Depending on how late in the season you’ve been out on the road, there’s a chance dirt, mud and possible salt will be clinging to your beloved motorhome. These will need to be scrupulously removed. A good jetwash will also allow you to spot anywhere that might be leaking so you can get it fixed.
Keep your batteries charged
A flat battery will deteriorate quickly and freeze faster so make sure motorhome batteries stay topped up. You could run the engine occasionally (which is good for the engine too), trickle charge if storing at home, or from a hookup if you’re storing your motorhome on a camp site. When the battery isn’t going to be used or charged for over a month, disconnecting the negative terminal will guarantee that nothing with draw power, giving the battery the best chance of keeping it’s charge.
Safety & Security
Gas cylinders should be switched off and where possible removed for storage somewhere cool and well ventilated. If you have a wheel clamp, make sure it’s conspicuously installed. A few squirts of a suitable oil into the locks will give you the best chance of being able to get back in when Spring arrives.
Invest in a cover
Tree sap, falling branches, bird droppings and leaves can all accumulate on the roof of your motorhome and all have the potential to cause damage where you can’t see it. Investing in a breathable cover for your investment will keep the worst of the elements off and also prevent UV damage from the sun as well.
Your turn
Have we missed anything? Do you have any other advice for preparing your motorhome for the winter? We’d love to hear your tips.
