Complete guide to winterising your caravan

With the weather turning colder, it’s important to ensure you maintain your caravan to prepare it for the winter months. Many issues can occur when you don’t winterise your caravan, making it a vital part of your pre-winter routine. 

Here, we share tips for winterising your caravan, helping you ensure it’s protected from cold, ice, and even theft should you put it into retirement until spring.

 

Why winterising your caravan is important

Winterising your caravan is important for many reasons. It will ensure that your vehicle is in top condition and ready to drive again once winter is over, protect it from wintery weather elements and other possible damage, keep your water pipes intact, and reduce the risk of theft.

 

How to winterise your caravan

Wondering how to winterise your caravan? Follow our step-by-step guide.

 

Cleaning your caravan

You may think there’s not much point in giving your caravan a good clean before you park it up for winter, and perhaps cleaning it once you’re ready to take it back on the road would be a better idea.

However, there are many advantages of giving your caravan a spruce before the cold months, including:

• Ensuring you’ve taken everything out of your caravan you might need while it’s covered up for winter
• Double-checking there’s no forgotten food which could get mouldy (and cause a terrible smell)
• Pulling furniture or furnishings away from walls to enable ventilation and keep everything fresh
• Confirming that all windows are closed and secured
• Having the joy of a clean caravan when you’re ready for your next adventure once winter is over!

 

Drain the water systems

If you won’t use your caravan for long periods over the colder months, draining it down is a sensible option. When water is left in the pipes, it can freeze and expand, causing damage that can be costly to repair. This can be prevented by emptying the pipes before parking your caravan up for the winter.

Draining down your caravan is simple to do. The method may vary depending on the make and model of your caravan, so you might need to refer to your user manual. However, many caravans have a very similar draining-down process which tends to include the following steps:

• Switch off anything in your caravan that uses water.
• Turn off the water supply at your caravan’s stopcock.
• Open the drain-off valves under your bath, shower and water heater or boiler. You don’t need to open the central heating valves.
• Turn on the taps and shower, and flush the toilets.
• Use a small compressor to remove any remaining water via the mains water inlet pipe.
• Turn the shower thermostat and the mixer taps from hot to cold.
• Pour caravan-safe antifreeze down the toilet and the plugholes.

Related: How to drain down a static caravan

 

Protecting the battery and electronics

If possible, disconnect your caravan’s battery for the winter. Leaving a vehicle battery unused for a long period can drain it and cause damage, possibly reducing its lifespan.

Keep your caravan battery and any other electronics you remove for the winter somewhere safe with good airflow. Avoid anywhere that gets damp. An insulated garage or shed works well. Check the charge of your caravan battery at different points throughout the winter and charge it up for a boost where necessary.

 

Securing the exterior

In addition to keeping your caravan in great condition throughout winter, you’ll need to ensure it’s safe from theft—especially if you’re storing it somewhere away from home. There are numerous alarms and security options to choose from, so you’ll easily find something suitable for your specific caravan.

Make sure you’ve removed all valuables from your caravan, shut the windows, and locked the doors. Then, walk around the outside of your caravan to check everything is secure. Ensure you have comprehensive caravan insurance that covers theft, too, just in case the worst should happen.

Related: How to improve your caravan security

 

Choosing a storage facility

If you don’t have a secure garage or driveway where you can keep your caravan over winter, opting for a storage facility can be a great way to ensure your vehicle is protected while out of use. Things to look out for include:

• Secure perimeter protection
• Excellent security lighting
• Controlled access
• A written contract outlining your agreement
• Insurance and certification

Some places offer facility tours, so you can visit and assess their offering before you commit to storing your caravan there.

 

Winterising your caravan FAQs

Should I drain down my caravan for winter?

Yes, you should drain down your caravan for winter as this will help to protect it from issues such as frozen pipes, water damage, and flooding.

 

Should a caravan be covered in winter?

Covering your caravan in winter can help to protect it from the harsh conditions created by cold weather. This also provides a good opportunity to check your caravan for damage before you park it up until spring. There are numerous things a caravan cover can keep your caravan safe from, including:

• Hail
• Debris blown around by the wind
• Overgrown branches
• Bird droppings
• Tree sap

To ensure the best protection, choose a soft, durable cover that is a good fit for your specific caravan. You’ll also benefit from opting for a caravan cover made from breathable material, as this will keep your vehicle safe from condensation, which can cause mould over time.

Of course, if your caravan is parked in a garage over winter, this will help. However, investing in a good quality cover offers extra protection for peace of mind.

 

What temperature do caravan pipes freeze at?

Caravan pipes are at risk of freezing once the temperature falls to 0°C. However, damage is more likely to occur should the temperature remain at this level for a long time. Insulating caravan water pipes and draining them down before winter can help.

Related: How to stop static caravan pipes freezing 

 

Is it safe to leave the heating on in a caravan?

You can leave the heating on in a caravan, provided it’s been set to a safe mode specifically for prolonged use. Your user manual will provide further details on this.

 

Should you remove caravan wheels over winter?

Removing your caravan’s wheels for the winter can help protect them from damage and wear caused by long-term storage. You can put winter wheels onto your caravan to keep it supported or use axle stands.

 

Does my caravan require specific winter care?

Depending on the make and model of your caravan, there may be specific guidelines you need to follow to ensure it’s well-protected throughout winter. You’ll be able to find this in your user manual. If no guidelines are listed, implement our outlined caravan winterising tips to keep your caravan at its best.

 

Specialist caravan insurance through Ripe

Alongside winterising your caravan, you may want to protect it with specialist insurance.

Specialist caravan insurance through Ripe covers your caravan up to the value of £75,000 for tourers and £175,000 for statics. You can also include additional cover to protect your contents and awnings.

Click here to learn more or get an instant online quote today.