INFORMATION ABOUT CARAVANS CAMPING & MOTORHOMES - TIPS HINTS & ADVICE

Great tips for protecting your motorhome over the winter months Though we may be coming to the end of the winter period, it is still vitally important to start thinking about winterising your motorhome. Your vehicle may currently be getting out and about more, but it is likely that it will still be layed-up for the majority of the year. The right forward planning and preparation will not only protect your motorhome during the winter, but will reduce its deterioration and therefore protect your investment. Preparation is definitely the key - it is important to think about winterising your motorhome during the warmer weather, rather than trying to do it in freezing temperatures! Here are 10 keys things to consider when preparing your motorhome for the winter.   1.    Most importantly, the key to good winterisation is protecting your engine. Using a good quality lay-up kit should provide everything you need to keep corrosion at bay within your engine. A product like VapourOil, for example, is a low cost yet extremely effective way to ensure your engine will be looked after during the harsh winter months.   2.    Before and after winter, check the vehicle door seals and replace the rubbers if needed. This will prevent any unnecessary draughts. 3.    Alongside this, draughts can be reduced by making sure all ventilation grilles in the cab are closed or blocked (i.e. with gaffer tape).   4.    If you have noticed a lack of heat in your motorhome, you could consider installing a heat exchanger, such as those fitted to some Rapido and Benimar motorhomes. They are simple arrangements with a fan, to distribute hot air around the living area. Units can be obtained from your base vehicle manufacturer. Failing that, another alternative would be to obtain a spare heater matrix and fan from a breaker's yard, and fit it yourself. This would help keep costs low.   5.    For obvious reasons, it is difficult to investigate the seals used behind the fridge, but in order to ensure that no gases from the fridge are escaping into the van it is important to check out the seals between the fridge and the cabinet in which it is placed. If there are any gaps, insert a strip of wood between the floor and the fridge and then ran a bead of polyurethane sealant around the entire edge of the fridge/cabinet join. Polyurethane is an easy-to-break seal which allows the fridge to be removed, if required. Also, it doesn't show up against the interior furniture.     NB: Don't use silicone sealant because it may pull the veneer off if you ever have to remove the fridge again, plus it cannot be overpainted if you chip the veneer and need to touch it up.     6.    When staying in your motorhome, leave locker doors open overnight – this will circulate the heat and prevent condensation.     7.    To keep out the cold, fit exterior silverscreens and, if it’s really cold, interior silverscreens to cab windows.     8.    Ensure you are using Propane rather than Butane, as Propane freezes at much lower temperatures.   9.    When parked up for long periods leave the vehicle in gear, chock the wheels and leave handbrake off if possible – this will prevent the rear drums freezing on.     10.   If your motorhome has a waste tank underslung at the rear, leave the drain tap open on site. Keep a good bucket underneath, and empty regularly. Article from EngineWise

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