Useful Tips For Putting Your Caravan Into Hibernation

So, if your last caravanning trip is over and you are thinking of storing your caravan with us until your next trip bear the subsequent advice in mind. We have some useful tips for putting your caravan into hibernation to insure that everything is in good working order for your next caravan trip.

Caravans are of course designed for use outside, but it is not ideal to store them without taking some simple precautions.

• Check your caravan handbook on any specific advice it may offer on storage preparation.
• Prepare the exterior of your caravan prior to storage. Cleaning the body will give you the opportunity to inspect for any damage that needs fixing. You can use a cover to add extra protection for the caravan or a protective wax coating especially if you are storing over winter.
• Before you leave your caravan at storage, make sure you drain down water systems to prevent any damage form icing in the cold winter days. This will also prevent mould growing. Open all drain valves, empty any internal water tanks or portable containers, remove any filters and store them safely. Leave open the mixer taps. If your caravan has a cassette toilet, it should be drained and cleaned thoroughly. Make sure you drain the flushing water tank.
• Consider turning the wheels, say every eight weeks when storing for a long period. Tyres don’t like standing around for months on end. You can have the tires at a higher pressure while the caravan is stored, but don’t forget to drop the pressure before your next trip.
• If you have been on the road later in the year you may want to wash the chassis to clear any corrosive road salt stuck to it.
• Protect your car-to-caravan connectors by cleaning them and covering them with a hitch cover.
• Get the interior of the caravan clean throughout, specially the kitchen. This will prevent any mould appearing. Leave the fridge door slightly open.
• Keep cushions standing up from the caravan walls after cleaning. This helps the air circulation and prevent mildew from occurring. Ideally, if you have room, store cushions at home.
• Leave wardrobe, locker and cupboards open.
• Don’t leave any effects and valuables in the caravan.
• Make sure all windows and doors are fully closed and locked.
• Lightly coat hinges with water dispersant to protect against rust.
• Leave waste outlets open but use some form of stocking-type cover to prevent insects and mice getting in.
• If you leave batteries in the unit, make sure they are fully charged and disconnected. Make sure all electrical items are in the off position and disconnect any plugs. If storing for a long period, make sure you charge the battery from time to time. Even disconnected battery will eventually discharge and staying in a discharged state will eventually damage the capacity of the battery. It may be best to keep the battery at home where you can charge it periodically. That’s if you don’t need the battery in the caravan to power any security systems such as a tracker device.
• Whenever you are storing your caravan, you must make sure the gas valves on top of gas cylinders are closed or disconnected. At our Llandybie site we do not allow any other hazardous or explosive substances or preparations to be left in the caravan.
• Finally, we recommend you return every now and again to your caravan to take care of batteries, tyres, etc., and to make sure all is well. On those occasions, it is advisable that you open windows and doors to allow some fresh air into the unit.

We look forward to having your caravan at our storage facility. Give Ezzystor a call if you need any more advice or information. We are conveniently located and easily reachable from Ammanford, Carmarthen, Llandeilo, Swansea and the surrounding area. Our site is open space without any trees (no birds or falling branches above your unit), and has easy access from the A483, an ample drive and lots of space, making manoeuvring easy.