If you do not want to use your vehicle in winter, there are a few important things to consider for this rest period. It is ideal if the motorhome/caravan can spend the winter in a sheltered place.
Note:
Leisure vehicles with seasonal registration plates may not be parked on public traffic areas outside the registration period indicated on the plate. This includes not only parking on the side of the road, but also in public car parks. In addition, unhitched caravans, even if registered all year round, may be parked at the roadside for a maximum of two weeks. So you are well advised to take care of a reasonable winter storage in good time.
Preparation for the winter break:
Before seasonal decommissioning, it is advisable to take a look at the number plate.
If the main inspection is due during the rest period, it is sensible to go to the TÜV, Dekra or GTÜ now. This can avoid hassle due to expired deadlines for recommissioning.
In order to bridge the seasonal break in a value-preserving way, a conscientious exterior and interior cleaning must be carried out.
Exterior cleaning:
- If you use a high-pressure cleaner, be careful with tyres and windows. Both react sensitively to the sharp high-pressure jet at short range and can be damaged. So please keep your distance. Vehicles with a smooth sheet metal body can additionally be treated with a care product and those with a GRP body with a polish to prevent yellowing.
- Do not spray the high-pressure cleaner into the engine compartment or into the ventilation slots of the refrigerator. Keep a minimum distance of 30 centimetres from the vehicle, this protects the paintwork, decorative stickers and tyres.
- To clean acrylic windows, use clear water, a small amount of dishwashing detergent or a special cleaner, but no glass cleaner.
- Care for the seals, e.g. rub them with talcum or glycerine; they will then not stick.
Interior cleaning:
- Put up carpets and cushions to prevent mould.
- The PVC floor and all smooth surfaces can be cleaned with soapy water or a mild household cleaner.
- After cleaning, all furniture flaps and the refrigerator door remain open during the winter so that the air can circulate better.
- If possible, ventilate the motorhome (or caravan or camper van) from time to time in dry weather.
Onboard technology
- Close the gas taps and unscrew the gas tubes and pressure reducers from the bottles, fit them with protective caps
- Clean and disinfect the water system before winterising.
- After cleaning, empty the fresh water tank, waste water tank, toilet piping system and the heater boiler and leave the water taps and valves open. Empty the tank and water pipes completely moving the vehicle to a slightly tilted position. Otherwise there is a danger of frost if there is residue!
- Ensure that the forced ventilation remains open at all times.
- We recommend disconnecting or removing the on-board battery and storing it in a dry room.
- Inflate the tyres to the maximum recommended pressure (plus 0.2 bar). This helps to avoid tyre flat spots.
Be sure to check the wheel housings and the underbody for dirt pockets. Moisture binds in them, which can cause rot or corrosion. It also makes sense to use this opportunity to close off openings and pipes - where possible - to prevent small and crawling animals from entering.
Nevertheless, the parked vehicle should be moved a few centimetres every now and then during the winter. When the vehicle is level, always release the handbrake, put it in gear and/or lower the supports and additionally secure it with wheel chocks. For motorhomes, ensure frost protection for the coolant and windscreen washer system.
To avoid long-term damage to the vehicle, regular checks are recommended in phase two.
But it is very important to ventilate properly. If there is still moisture in the wood, cushions and textiles from the last holiday, this condenses out when the temperature drops and can lead to mould and mildew stains. First indication: a stale, musty smell in the vehicle. Regular airing - one hour every four to six weeks in dry weather - helps against this.