Winter Care for your Caravan

Although camping can be an all-year round activity, the majority of people who enjoy a camping holiday put their caravan away over the winter period. Whether the caravan is stored at home, on a camp site, outside or under cover there are a number of things that should be done to ensure that your caravan remains in tip-top condition. You will want to make sure that when you come to prepare your caravan for the next camping season you can do so without having to spend money rectifying something that could have been avoided by taking appropriate precautions at the beginning of winter. Before looking into what you should be doing to help protect what has been a large financial investment - and perhaps more important, your leisure lifeline - consider what you are going to do with the caravan. Are you going to be partaking in any camping over the winter months? Are there any insurance implications? How should it be stored? Take time to consider what and when jobs should be done to safeguard the caravan. Here are some suggestions to ensure your caravan survives the winter without adverse effect.



Start with the skin



As with our own body, you will need to ensure that the 'skin' is kept clean. If you don't various problems can and will arise. In winter it is inevitable that your camping unit will succumb to the perils of rotting leaves and other matter that, if not removed, may lead to damage. Atmospheric debris and bird droppings make a caravan unsightly on a camp site and need to be removed on a regular basis. Cleaning the outside of the 'van not only prolongs its life but improves the visual aesthetics as well. Use a proprietary caravan cleaning agent, available from most good caravan and camping accessory shops, and clean all external surfaces. Be careful when cleaning the caravan roof. Leaning across the roof may cause permanent damage to the roofing structure and seals.



Safety points



Some of the tasks that you will be carrying out could result in personal injury if you don't follow some basic common sense rules. Supporting your camping unit on bricks is not recommended, particularly when you need to gain access under the caravan. Bricks do not perform well as supports. Some cleaning products may give warnings on the labels. Ensure you read these and keep the products out of reach of children. Do not over stretch when standing on stepladders and get someone to support the ladder at all times



Following these simple guide lines will ensure that your camping unit is ready for action for you to enjoy your next camping holiday