The majority of people will look to get their caravan serviced when they take it out of storage in the spring. Therefore, this is when your local dealership or serving workshop will be the busiest. Why not book your caravan in for its annual service now when they are quieter and it's one less thing to think about come spring time.
If you're leaving your caravan on a storage site or away from home for the winter, sort out which belongings you will be removing from the caravan and taking back home. For example, you will probably want to remove all clothing and bedding and even curtains, not to mention electrical items and anything of value. By leaving your caravan as empty as possible, with nothing on display, you will deter thieves from breaking in.
To minimise any damage caused by condensation and damp, you could use bowls of salt or dehumidifying crystals dotted around the caravan which will absorb any moisture. As condensation will form on the windows, move all upholstery away from the sides of the caravan and stack it in the centre.
To prevent damage caused by frozen and burst pipes, it's important to drain down the water system in your caravan. Simply turn off the water system and open all the taps. Once the system has fully drained, place plugs in plugholes. Don't forget to drain down the cassette toilet too and close the toilet lid to prevent any wildlife from entering your caravan.
Give your caravan a thorough clean before leaving it for the winter. Use bicarbonate of soda to clean the fridge and leave the fridge door open to allow air to circulate. The same applies for cupboard and wardrobe doors.
On the outside of the caravan, prevent moving parts from rusting solid by oiling such things as the handbrake and corner steady.
Heather Robinson of Caravan Guard Limited. To receive more caravanning top tips along with new model reviews and the latest show news, sign up for our free e-magazine, Freedom, at http://www.caravanguard.co.uk. Caravan Guard specialise in touring caravan insurance and motorhome insurance in the UK.
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