Gone are the days when the onset of winter meant that caravanning was no longer a viable pastime. Widespread availability of well insulated caravans and a plethora of useful equipment mean that you can now caravan in the winter. There are many caravan sites across the U.K. that stay open in the winter to cater for the dedicated caravanners among us. If you are considering going away in a caravan this winter don’t forget to be prepared. There are a number of things that you will need for your winter trip that you didn’t need in the summer.

Keeping Warm

Gas appliances can be used, but be aware of the dangers of leaving them on overnight whilst you are sleeping. It is a better idea to invest in a low wattage electrical heater that you can leave on most of the time to keep the caravan warm.

Modern caravans are well insulated. Buying a porch awning is a good way to preserve heat. It will stop cold air rushing into your caravan when you open the door. A porch can also be handy for storing things like wellington boots, wet shoes and large winter coats.

Take lots of extra bedding; it is worth investing in a high tog quilt or a expedition quality sleeping bag to keep you warm at night.

Pack lots of extra clothes, remember that you are likely to need extra pairs of everything as there may be adverse weather conditions to contend with.

Access to Water

Outside water containers are likely to freeze if the temperature plummets below zero. In order to ensure that you always have access to fresh water it is worth keeping an insulated tank inside your caravan. Many modern caravans have the advantage of having tanks in lockers on the inside of the caravan that are accessible from outside, often these are designed to prevent freezing. It is advisable to check the manual before you make your journey.

Filling up water tanks in the evening creates a large mass of water that will be more resistant to freezing than a small amount. The slightly higher temperature in the day time should help to prevent freezing in the daytime as you lower the water supply.

You can use anti-freeze or a similar product to keep waste water from freezing. Make sure that there is no chance of contaminating fresh water when you use any products of this nature.

Try to ensure that pipes are all flat so that no pools of water gather in them as this is when the water is most likely to freeze.

Other Things To Consider

Use propane and not butane. Butane will freeze when it reaches -4 degrees. Not being able to cook or heat up water if the temperature did drop below this would not be ideal. If you need to change from butane to propane use do not forget that you will need a different adaptor as they are not interchangeable.

Condensation can be an issue in the winter, try to make sure that if you are cooking or showering that the area is well ventilated. If necessary you can purchase moisture absorbing crystals to deal with this issue. They are widely available.

Keep moving parts of the caravan well oiled to prevent seizing.

If the weather is set to be ice and snow then consider buying winter tyres for your caravan and your towing car. The improved grip will make the journey much safer.

Your tyres are your point of contact with the road. Acceleration, braking, cornering and steering are all dependant on the quality of your tyres and their suitability to your vehicle. It is essential to regularly check your tyres and to get advice before you even consider changing the type of tyres that you are using. In some countries it is illegal to use tyres that differ from the tyres that the vehicle would have been fitted with. The correct types of tyre for your vehicles will be listed in the vehicles’ handbooks. Always consult a professional if you have any concerns about your tyres.

Getting the Right Tyre Pressure

• Your tyres need to be the correct pressure, this varies from vehicle to vehicle.

• Tyres that are over or under inflated will wear at a much faster rate and their performance will not be at the required standard.

• Always check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. The heat gained during movement causes tyre pressure to rise. If you adjust the pressure using hot tyres as your starting point you will have under inflated tyres.

• It is recommended to inflate the rear tyres of the towing vehicle to the suggested ‘fully laden’ pressure, as they will bear a lot of the weight of the caravan.

Wear and Age

• Check that the your tyres have enough tread. The legal minimum tread pattern depth in the U.K. is 1.6mm through the central 75% of the tread width and around the circumference.

• Do not use tyres that are over seven years old, even if they have not been used. Tyres deteriorate over time and tyres over this age should not be trusted.

• It is recommended to change tyres that are over five years old, if not before.

• If you do not use your caravan frequently you should always check the tyres before any journey. Look for signs of deterioration and wear. Tyres that are left static will deteriorate more quickly than if they are used regularly.

• If you are not going to use your caravan for some time it is advisable to take the weight off the tyres to preserve them. You should shield them from the sun.

• Older caravans may be fitted with tyres that are no longer available, for example cross ply tyres. If your caravan is fitted with these tyres you should consult a specialist about the best way to upgrade your tyres.

• Always keep a spare tyre inflated to the right pressure in both the caravan and the towing vehicle.

The most important thing to remember is that your tyres need to be checked regularly on both the caravan and the towing vehicle. Towing a caravan puts a significant amount of extra pressure onto the tyres of the towing vehicle so it is best to always be diligent.  Having good quality tyres that are in a good condition will help you to have an easier journey and towing will be safer.

Unfortunately winter is upon us once again and unless you plan on taking your caravan away over the colder seasons it is now time to protect your caravan by putting it into hibernation. There are a number of key steps to take that will ensure that your caravan makes it through the cold and rain in one piece. If you do not take adequate steps to prevent the onset of damp, infestation and weather damage then you may find that your caravan will need a lot of work doing on it in the spring and of course that could cost a lot of money, at worst your caravan could become completely unusable. But do not panic these eventualities are avoidable if you are careful.

 Deal With the Water Systems

• Drain the hot and cold water systems completely. Open the taps and remove the drain plug (often located on the outside of the caravan). It is a good idea to do this at the last place that you use your caravan as the journey home should clear out any excess water.

• Empty the toilet tank, then clean and dry thoroughly. If you have a cassette toilet you should apply lubricant to the seals and blade, this can be a specific maintenance product, silicon spray or olive oil. This will help to avoid corrosion and sticking.

Remove All Accessories

• Remove all upholstery if possible. The best place to store it is in a dry place in your house. If you do not the risk of damp and mould is high.

• Remove gas cylinders if possible. Make sure that they are turned off, stored in an adequately ventilated place and keep them securely locked away. Remember that butane freezes below -4°C and it is not usable at less than 3°C. Propane does not have this problem.

• Remove the leisure battery, it is advisable to recharge it every couple of months to keep it at maximum efficiency. Ensure that the battery you remove does not power the alarm system in your caravan. Most alarm systems have a dedicated power source.

Prevent Damp Setting In

• Open all of the cupboards and storage places in the caravan, including the fridge and freezer if you have one. This will ensure that air circulates through the whole caravan, which will help to prevent damp and ensure that the air does not get stale.

• Open all of the vents and windows and lightly lubricate them. When you have done this make sure that they are all closed and locked, to avoid the weather and vandals getting in. Air circulation is important to ensure that damp does not set in, so do not cover vents. You can also place dehumidifiers in the caravan to combat damp.

Clean Thoroughly

• Clean everything thoroughly, taking special care to ensure that there are no traces of food anywhere. You could leave non perishables, like tinned food, in the caravan, but in case of damp and the potential of tins to rust, this is not strictly advisable.

• Clean and dry the awning, ideally you should store it in your house. If you do not it is likely that it will go mouldy.

• Clean and polish the outside of the caravan. There are specialist products available for the winterising of caravans if you wish to protect your caravan as much as possible.

Store Carefully

• Plug all of the water and waste outlets and inlets. This will stop creatures using your caravan as their home.

• Taking the weight off the wheels for even a few weeks will increase the life of the suspension, running gear and tyres. Remove the wheels and support the axles with axle stands. Store the wheels and bolts securely. Check with your insurance company that your caravan is still covered when you do this. If this is not possible try to move the caravan every month or so to even out the wear on the tyres.

• If necessary purchase a cover for your caravan, make sure that it is made from a breathable material otherwise it will do more harm than good. This is particularly a good idea if your caravan is stored under a tree.

• Leave the handbrake off.

• Check the caravan regularly for damp, vandalism and other damage.