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Wintering caravan and motorhome

Author: Maciej Kinal
Category: Tips
zimowanie kampera

We most often enjoy the benefits of caravanning mainly in the summer season. More and more often, due to the favorable weather, developing infrastructure and the growing number of rallies, many of us extend the season. Eventually, however, the time comes when the trailer or camper goes for a well-deserved winter sleep. It is worth making sure that your equipment is well prepared for winter to avoid problems at the beginning of the next season.

Preparing a trailer and camper for winter – how to go about it?

It is worth starting by thoroughly washing the body . All corrosive and highly acidic agents should be avoided. If we cannot use dedicated detergents for recreational vehicles, make sure that they are neutral to the seals and window surfaces. Depending on the material (aluminum / laminate), the covering should be protected with impregnation or wax. ATTENTION! In the case of aluminum plating, before applying any coatings, it is strongly recommended to carry out the so-called claying to remove any ferrous metal filings. Means for this type of treatment usually have the phrase "de-iron" in their name, and anyone who has not used such a treatment before will certainly be surprised how many such pits literally flow down the upholstery of our vehicle after spraying the surface with the preparation.

Remember not to abuse delicate windows with sharp sponges and accidental substances - the best are lotions and agents dedicated to polycarbonate and soft chamois/microfiber. However, we start polishing/cleaning the windows only after thoroughly cleaning them with a pressure washer. Due to the very delicate and scratch-prone surface, it would be a shame to spoil the effect and matt the window surface.

Phew... From the outside it's clear - what's next? Let's start by simply dealing with the mess inside and then clean all the furniture and fixtures. Let's clean what we can inside as well. Each part should be wiped dry so that it does not remain wet. It is a good idea to lubricate the hinges, and it is also worth taking care of the seals (a special silicone-based agent or technical Vaseline will be perfect).

Once the house on wheels is shiny both outside and inside, we start emptying the water system. Attention! Before emptying, it is worth considering disinfecting the system with a special preparation - this will allow you to clean the tank and piping from biofilm.

How to empty the water system in a camper?

It is best to open the flow simultaneously using all taps (kitchen, sink, shower). After emptying the installation, it is worth unscrewing the vent valve on the boiler (or release the Frost Control safety valve). The most common failures after wintering are cracks in boilers and submersible pumps.

ATTENTION! The factory installation of campers and trailers (regardless of whether we are dealing with a submersible pump or a pressure installation) is designed in such a way that the water drains by gravity when preparing for winter storage. A problem may arise when we connect accessory elements to the installation whose design and arrangement prevent such emptying - an example may be an external shower mounted below the level of the drain valve (e.g. Frost Control). Then it is worth using a compressor and additionally "blowing out" the installation.

In trailers equipped with a submersible pump, it is strongly recommended to physically remove it from the water tank, remove it from the hose and dry it (even a small amount of water in the pump can cause it to burst if it freezes). We leave the spouts (taps) in the open position. The toilet cassette should also be emptied and cleaned with liquid.

Wintering caravan and motorhome – image 1

We disconnect the on-board devices from the power supply , including the batteries and the gas cylinder (it is best to remove the cylinder from the camper or trailer during winter parking). By disconnecting the battery power, the easiest way is to disable the main protection of the on-board switchboard. If we do not remove the battery for the winter, it is worth ensuring that it is fully charged when disconnected. You should also remember to top it up regularly during the winter downtime. It is best to leave all cabinets and the refrigerator in the open position. The ventilation holes and at least one of the side windows should remain unsealed.

Items that absorb moisture easily, such as rugs, curtains, and bedding, are best taken home . If we have somewhere to store mattresses, it is best to take them too. If upholstery elements are to remain in the vehicle, it is strongly recommended to use moisture absorbers . We definitely DO NOT wash upholstery and carpets immediately before wintering.

An unused camper or trailer can become a target for rodents. One idea to protect your vehicle against unwanted guests will be to use an electronic, ultrasonic rodent repeller . However, above all, remember not to leave food in vehicles (e.g. leftovers from holiday travels).

The trailer drawbar should be protected against frost, snow and water, and appropriate chocks should be placed under the wheels. Their use will eliminate the need to apply the brake. We lower the trailer supports to take the load off the wheels, but we DO NOT suspend the vehicle "in the air" - raising the whole thing may (especially in older trailers) weaken the chassis corners.

If the vehicle will be stored outside for the winter, the roof should be cleared of snow from time to time in case of heavy snowfall. In the case of campers, it is advisable to run it at least once a month, even in winter. Even if the car will only be started for a few minutes, do not forget about the appropriate coolant in the radiator, adapted to negative temperatures (the same also applies to windshield washer fluid, of course). It is best if the camper is parked after filling it completely and adding an additive that prevents paraffin from precipitating from diesel fuel .

Work related to preparing a trailer or camper for seasoning is best carried out on a sunny and dry autumn day. The vehicle should not be covered with a regular tarpaulin or foil . Special covers are recommended for campers and trailers, which not only fit the dimensions of a specific vehicle, but do not restrict air flow and minimize the risk of abrasions/scratches to the cover.

Wintering your trailer and camper

What to do if we have little space at home or live in a block of flats without a piece of our own land? Where to park your camper or caravan? Storing caravans and campers is an increasingly popular service.

How much does wintering a caravan cost? How much does it cost to winterize a camper?

Companies offering winterization of trailers and campers have various facilities and offer various services. Winter off-season parking service "under the sky" from September 1 to April 30 costs approximately PLN 700-900. In addition to parking itself, the package includes a professional winterization preparation service, and in spring, inspection and preparation for the season.

Many companies also have warehouses for storing vestibules, floors and other equipment. A place under a roof (shelter) or in an unheated hall costs around PLN 300 per month. Space in heated warehouses is rare, although there is of course demand for this type of service - especially in large agglomerations. This is a convenient solution, especially when winter caravanning - when, for example, going skiing in a camper , we simply get in and go, without the need to perform a number of service activities.

Maciej Kinal
Maciej Kinal

I feel best in the form of trade fairs and meetings with enthusiasts. Technical freak. In my life I have dismantled many motorhomes for the first time. Fan of large vehicles, mountain biking and traveling without weight and financial restrictions. At CampRest, I am responsible for all publications on automotive topics.

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When we have a motorhome with a minor or larger accident, or we intend to buy a collision car, it is always worth contacting a proven service, specialized in repairing motorhomes. The Elcamp company from Krakow, known as a manufacturer and seller of motorhomes and a distributor of car parts and accessories, also runs a camping car repair service. Not only what's outside Most often, during a collision, elements of the outer skin of the car are damaged. The effects, however, can be much more serious. It is always worth checking if the equipment inside the vehicle and installations: water, gas, electricity, TV and others have not been damaged. The next stage of repair is the replacement of damaged parts . It is safest to get a specific, new part directly from the manufacturer. Elcamp gives a guarantee for all work performed, unless the repair at the customer's request was not carried out in accordance with the recommended technology. Then no one will take responsibility for any future faults. The biggest enemy of any building is its leakage . The vast majority of motorhomes have "sandwich" coverings. After a collision, check if there are any leaks through which water enters the interior, causing the frame to rot. In the event of damage or leakage of the roof, we will usually have nothing else to do but replace it with a brand new one. This usually takes a lot of time and money. Is the repair worth it? In the autumn and winter period, the workshop is working at full speed. A company with as much experience as Elcamp undertakes every repair of a damaged vehicle . Clients usually ask two questions: about the cost and duration of the work. Unfortunately, post-accident repair can take up to several months . This is due to the fact that not all parts are available "out of stock". The cost obviously depends on the degree of damage to the vehicle or its equipment. When the initial cost , which is usually estimated at the first inspection, exceeds the value of the car, it makes no sense to undertake repairs. Repair expenses are, of course, a river topic. They can be up to 100% of the market value of the vehicle. It is worth emphasizing, however, that it is not synonymous with the actual selling price - well-kept cars, repaired with the use of original parts, reach prices above average market prices. Please check before buying Sometimes it's a good idea to buy a used vehicle. However, be careful with new (or almost new) cars at bargain prices . Then we can almost be sure that they have had an accident. Of course, you can do something with them, but it is important to know about a possible collision. The purchase of an accident motorhome can even be profitable, provided that the vehicle is thoroughly inspected and, during the inspection, as much damage as possible related to the incident (or even earlier) is noticed. It even happens that the cost of post-accident work is lower than in the case of non-damage repair. Remember that previous defects are easy to hide in a damaged car, in which the seller will not allow us to connect, for example, electricity or gas during the inspection, explaining that the installations may be out of order. Sometimes it is of course true, but in this way we are deprived of the possibility of checking individual pieces of equipment. Haste is a bad advisor To find a used motorhome in good condition, you need to spend some time searching for it. It is rare that the first copy that catches our eye is actually worth buying. Here there is a small problem - buying a car abroad. Since we are going far and spending money to see the car, even if it does not correspond to the description, we often decide to buy it anyway. This is a serious mistake. When we are not specialists ourselves, it is best to opt for an advisor - it is an expense much lower than the unexpected repair later. Elcamp's experts often advise on the purchase of damaged or used cars, both at the company's headquarters and at the seller, at the request of customers. However, as they say themselves, nothing can replace a car inspection in a professional service prepared for the comprehensive service of camping vehicles, which has all the necessary equipment. Thanks to them, it is possible to detect defects that even an experienced specialist will not notice with the naked eye.