Preparing Your Motorhome for Winter: A 25-Step Guide with a Complimentary Shutdown Checklist

Preparing Your Motorhome for Winter: A 25-Step Guide with a Complimentary Shutdown Checklist

As the cold weather approaches, it's essential to take the necessary steps to protect your motorhome during winter storage. Here's a guide to help you winterize your motorhome and ensure it remains in good condition.

Winterizing Your Motorhome

To properly winterize your motorhome, follow these steps:

1. Drain all water from pipes, tanks, and water systems: This step is crucial to prevent freezing and potential damage.
2. Bypass the water heater or combi system (if applicable): This step helps avoid antifreeze contamination of these components.
3. Add RV-specific non-toxic antifreeze: Use this antifreeze in the plumbing system to protect pipes and fixtures.
4. Remove or bypass water filters: Winterize them separately.
5. Clean the interior thoroughly and remove all food: This step helps avoid attracting pests during storage.
6. Protect against rodents and pests: Seal openings and use repellents.
7. Check and maintain batteries: Either remove or keep them charged indoors if possible.
8. Store the motorhome in a secure, preferably covered or indoor, facility: This step protects your motorhome from weather and damage.
9. Seal vents and openings: This step prevents moisture and pests from intruding.
10. Maintain tire pressure and consider tire protection steps: For long-term stationary storage.

Additional Tips

• Fit exterior vents to fridges and leave fridge door open during winter storage.
• Tyre covers can be useful to protect the brake discs during winter storage.
• Reconnect anything which was disconnected, like the battery, before using the motorhome again.
• Fill fuel and gas before using the motorhome again.
• Give your engine a good run before using the motorhome again.
• Turn the air-conditioning on during winter storage, especially while driving the motorhome.

Storage Options

Storage options for a motorhome during winter include:

• Parking on a driveway
• Street parking near the house
• Secure motorhome storage outdoors
• Secure motorhome storage indoors

Safety Measures

• If not storing the motorhome at home, additional motorhome security measures are recommended.
• If possible, go for a quick drive to bump things around and make sure everything is as clear of water as possible during winter storage preparation.
• If a mixer tap is present, open it in the middle so both sides are on.
• Leave some items inside the motorhome during storage, such as pots/pans, crockery/cutlery/glassware, motorhome cleaning supplies, games, motorhome generator (drained), dog bowls/toys, smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detector, and an external motorhome storage box on the rear.
• However, it's important to check for perishable items.

Important Considerations

• Many insurers state they will not cover damage caused by water freezing inside the motorhome or camper systems (including the heating system) between November and March.
• It's important to prevent condensation and mould in the motorhome during storage.
• Look for signs of mould or damp and deal with any potential problems as soon as possible during winter storage.
• It's not recommended to leave valuables, electronics, personal hygiene soaps, liquids, sanitary protection, linens, clothes, toilet and kitchen rolls, and books inside the motorhome during storage.

Checklists

• The article provides a free motorhome winter storage checklist.
• Get a motorhome habitation check done, or do one yourself, but get the gas system professionally checked for your peace of mind before using the motorhome again.
• Empty ALL systems over a suitable drainage point before winter storage.
• Do a full engine check, including oil and water levels, before using the motorhome again.
• Get a pre-trip & motorhome departure checklist before using the motorhome again.

Further Reading

• The article suggests reading more about motorhome tips for beginners and how to care for a motorhome during winter vanlife or a winter motorhome trip.
• The article discusses winterising a motorhome or campervan for storage and care during winter.
• The article provides a link to read more about how to care for a motorhome leisure battery during winter.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your motorhome remains in good condition during winter storage, avoiding costly repairs and damage. Happy winterising!

[1] Link to more about caring for a motorhome leisure battery during winter [2] Link to more about motorhome tips for beginners [3] Link to more about winter motorhome trips [4] Link to the free motorhome winter storage checklist [5] Link to more about motorhome habitation checks

1. To protect your lifestyle during winter, it's essential to properly winterize your home-and-garden, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and travel items before storing them.
2. When preparing for a winter motorhome trip, don't forget to add RV-specific non-toxic antifreeze to your motorhome's plumbing system to prevent freezing.
3. It's advisable to clean the interior of your motorhome thoroughly and remove all food before storing it to help avoid attracting pests during the off-season.

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