CARAVAN TIPS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER

With the warmer summer months slipping away, it’s time to prepare for the colder months ahead. The UK has over 220,00 registered caravans and motorhomes in the UK and with costs from £5,000 to over £100,000, they’re a valuable commodity for many, and worth taking extra time to prepare for the colder, damper autumn and winter months.

From prioritising where to store the vehicle to keeping the interior clean, below are the top tips for preparing caravans for winter.

Home sweet home

The most affordable and convenient place to store your caravan for winter is at the owners’ property However, it may not be the safest place so it’s necessary to take proper precautions when it comes to securing the vehicle. Security measures can include a steering wheel lock, alarms and video cameras to deter potential thieves.

If at-home storage isn’t an option, there are plenty of others you can trust to keep your caravan safe and secure. The Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association, CaSSOA is a national caravan and motorhome storage site accreditation body. It has over 450 approved storage sites across the UK, so it won’t be hard to find a local CaSSOA site.

Down the drain

Draining the water systems such as your shower, sinks and toilet can prevent a host of issues such as mould, stale water and ice/frost from damaging the vehicle.

Whether a pump, a switch or a lever is installed, it’s important to drain the tank before the first frost. There are myriads of drain-down systems that come with instructions, video tutorials and demos, and the process can take just minutes.

Look on the inside

Some of the easiest ways to prepare caravans and motorhomes for winter are the most obvious. Removing all food and crumbs from the fridge and cabinets can prevent mice, squirrels and other pests from causing havoc within the caravan. Ensure the fridge door is propped open to avoid mould and consider fitting winter covers to the fridge vents.

Keeping soft furnishings such as cushions or beds covered by sheets can help prevent dust, and ensuring blinds close properly can dissuade thieves who could be peeking through to see if there is anything valuable within the vehicle.

Cover up

Whether storing at home or within a storage facility, it’s a good idea to cover up with a proper cover. The best options are purpose-made covers that are breathable with a soft underside.

A breathable fabric is essential to prevent a build-up of condensation inside and outside the caravan. While a soft underside material reduces the risk of the bodywork being marked by movement of the cover in windy weather or by any scratches it may encounter at a storage unit.

Caravans and motorhomes are a valuable investment for many people, and damage can be costly. Taking steps now can mitigate potential problems that may arise over winter.

However, if an issue does arise, Arc Legal provides a bespoke Leisure Legal Expenses Insurance (LEI) policy enabling brokers and insurers to provide their customers with cover for legal costs related to incidents involving a wide range of leisure activities – including touring and static caravans, holiday, and park homes; supported by 24/7 legal advice, and specialist legal and claims specialists.

For further details on our products and services, please contact your Partnerships Manager or email enquiries@arclegal.co.uk.