25 Simple Steps to Winterise Your Motorhome (& FREE shutdown Guidelines) 2024 up to date

Not utilizing your motorhome, campervan or RV throughout winter? Need to winterise your motorhome and shut it down for the chilly months? Right here’s every part you could do to organize your automobile for winter storage and the best way to take care of it throughout winter lay-up, in addition to issues to do AFTER winter to get again on the street once more.

Get your FREE motorhome winter storage guidelines under to recollect every part you want.

*We work arduous to make this one of the best motorhome journey weblog and street journey web site doable, filled with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so should you purchase by way of hyperlinks on this website we could earn a commission- at no further value to you. All opinions stay our personal.

When you discover this put up helpful, you possibly can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we would even bask in a biscuit (or two!)

Winterise a motorhome- what’s that?

There are two varieties of ‘winterising’ relating to motorhomes or campervans (and no, I don’t imply the spelling of winterizing for my abroad RV readers! ? )

The primary kind is to organize a automobile to be used in the course of the chilly winter months, similar to if you wish to go skiing with your motorhome or live in your motorhome during winter.

The second is getting ready your automobile for winter storage and never getting used very a lot throughout winter (additionally generally referred to as ‘laying up’.)

On this put up, we’re going to be speaking about shutting down and getting ready your motorhome for winter storage and the best way to care to your motorhome whereas it’s not getting used.

As you’ll see under, it’s vital to make sure your motorhome, campervan or caravan is correctly closed down when not getting used for intervals of time, in any other case you can find yourself with damp, condensation and plenty of different points in your van.

RELATED: Want to experience winter vanlife or planning a winter motorhome trip? Read this first…

FREE Motorhome Winter Storage Guidelines

Don’t overlook to seize your free motorhome winter shutdown and storage guidelines, so you possibly can ensure you have and do every part you could with a purpose to correctly care to your motorhome or camper all through winter.

This additionally applies for anytime you gained’t be utilizing your automobile for some time, like throughout a world shutdown…!

Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?

Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here

Why winterise your motorhome or camper?

There are two predominant causes we suggest following these winter motorhome storage ideas

The primary motive to organize your motorhome correctly for winter is to keep away from issues from the chilly, like damp, mould and burst pipes. Most injury accomplished to motorhomes happens in the course of the winter months- particularly COLD winter months.

Chilly climate may trigger issues with tyres, seals, engines and different important components!

The second motive to winterise your motorhome is to adjust to motorhome insurance insurance policies.

Many insurers state that they won’t cowl injury attributable to water freezing contained in the motorhome or camper techniques (together with the heating system) between November and March.

(Test your insurance coverage coverage to know precisely what guidelines you could adjust to.)

When must you put together your motorhome for winter storage?

I might suggest following these steps as quickly because it begins to get frosty so that you keep away from potential issues, significantly if the climate goes to be approaching 0ºc and issues would possibly begin to freeze!

Clearly, this solely applies should you’re not going to be utilizing your motorhome- if you’re planning to make use of your motorhome frequently all through winter, you don’t must observe these steps.

READ MORE: 27 essential motorhome tips for beginners

The place to retailer a motorhome for winter

There are a number of locations the place you possibly can retailer a motorhome over winter:

• Parking in your driveway (or that of a good friend/ relative)
• Road parking close to your own home
• Safe motorhome storage outdoor
• Safe motorhome storage indoors

When you don’t have a everlasting motorhome storage place, you’ll must ebook your winter motorhome storage as quickly as possible- they get booked up rapidly.

Many farmers provide barns for indoor storage, and there are many safe outside motorhome storage locations around- simply Google.

Personally, I might hesitate to maintain my motorhome on the road long-term- it’s too simple for thieves to identify and scope out. When you do select to do that, ensure you add not less than certainly one of these further motorhome security measures.

Storing motorhome at house

The information listed on this put up are helpful no matter the place you retailer your motorhome throughout winter– in a storage yard or in your driveway.

Some issues are simpler to do at house and a few could also be forbidden within the motorhome storage unit (like draining down your system), however there are many different locations to get that accomplished. 

Additionally, if you wish to maintain your motorhome battery charged and taken care of, you will have to take it house with you should you don’t retailer your motorhome/ camper in your drive; many motorhome storage models don’t have or enable energy provides.

READ MORE: How to care for your motorhome leisure battery during winter

Once more, if you’re storing your camper at house, be sure that to suit some further motorhome security devices; thefts of motorhomes (and different automobiles) will increase over winter, particularly within the run-up to Christmas.

How do you winterise and retailer a motorhome for winter?

Okay, deep breath. This part could all sound overwhelming, however I promise it’s not that unhealthy. A little bit effort now will save a variety of hassle in a number of months time.

Step 1- empty practically every part!

• Empty out all perishables (meals, drinks and so forth). We frequently go away our canned meals within the motorhome, however we do take away any fizzy drinks- simply in case! Bear in mind to take away spices, flour and so forth as these can entice bugs if left.
• Take away ALL linens and garments. Something which may simply mould. This contains coats, towels, bedding, mattress & seat cushions. Some individuals take away their curtains too- we by no means have however it’s private desire.
• We additionally take away rest room and kitchen rolls, which solely go soggy if left behind.
• All private hygiene soaps, liquids and sanitary safety
• Take out ALL valuables, particularly electronics. Take away motorhome sat-navs, audio system, torches, battery lights, fairy lights- we frequently discover the battery terminals can corrode if left too lengthy within the chilly/ damp.
• You may additionally need to transfer any campervan and motorhome gadgets you carry onboard.
• Take away motorhome books, magazines, photographs and some other paper based mostly product.
• When you have a motorhome logbook or journal, take away that too. You’ll be able to go away house owners guide in if you want, however there’s an opportunity it might get broken.

Step 2- what can you permit within the motorhome over the winter?

It’s okay to depart some issues inside your motorhome/ RV/ camper over winter. Admittedly, some issues will rely upon whether or not or not you’re leaving it plugged in and leaving heating on in the van, however right here’s a useful information for you of issues we go away within the van over winter:

• Pots/ pans (cleaned!)
• Crockery/ cutlery/ glassware (cleaned!)
• Motorhome Cleaning supplies (you possibly can select to take away the liquids if you want. We by no means have, however then we don’t stay anyplace it will get REALLY chilly)
• Some individuals select to depart their first assist equipment/ medicines. We select to take away ours, however that’s solely so we are able to use it over winter if we have to
• Video games
• Motorhome Generator (drained)
• Canine bowls/ toys (since you simply know I’ll overlook them in any other case!) – Right here’s a listing of our essential dog road trip accessories
• Smoke alarm/ Carbon monoxide detector (sure, with batteries in. Simply in case)
• When you have an external motorhome storage box on the rear, you possibly can most likely go away many of the gear in there (be sure that it’s locked up and watertight), however do a fast test first to make sure there’s nothing perishable inside.

Can I go away a TV in my RV motorhome over winter?

Sure. There is no such thing as a motive to take away your TV, EXCEPT for the truth that thieves might goal it.

READ MORE: The best 12v motorhome TVs available on the market

Motorhome winterisation tips- cleansing

• As soon as every part is out, give all of it a REALLY good clear, inside and outside! This can be a good time to use a coat or two of wax to the surface.
• Test awnings are completely dry earlier than storing them away
• Test fridge/ freezer are empty & clear. Go away the door hooked ajar (there’s typically a locking setting on the fridge door catch which you’ll be able to pull out to depart it ajar)
• Stop towards condensation & mould. Go away all lockers, cabinets, wardrobes and so forth ajar. Find out how we stop condensation in our motorhome right here.

Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?

Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here

Winterising a camper tips- Prime issues up!

When you’ve emptied and cleaned, take into consideration the issues you might be abandoning, and prime up any fluids which will likely be staying within the automobile, together with:

• LPG Fuel cylinders. Refill Gaslow cylinders you probably have them. When you have exchangeable cylinders, it is likely to be finest to take away them utterly and retailer them at house (sure, you’re going to lose your spare bed room for the winter!). That is additionally an excellent time to TURN OFF all gasoline bottles and in addition the primary provide into the motorhome.
• Put Anti-freeze in engine (we’ll get to utilizing antifreeze inside your motorhome plumbing in a bit)
• Engine Oil
• Motorhome Gas
• Test tyre stress (additionally test tread and ensure there isn’t any cracking/ injury earlier than winter starts- chilly climate gained’t assist that in any respect!)

Motorhome Winter Storage Ideas- How one can drain down your camper

DISCLAIMER: This can be a generic information. Most motorhome techniques are very related, however please do test your proprietor’s guide earlier than following these steps. If unsure, ask your dealership or a neighborhood storage for recommendation in your particular mannequin.

• Empty ALL techniques over an appropriate drainage level. (When you can angle your motorhome to get as a lot as doable out, even higher!) You would possibly need to clean your motorhome water tank first (here’s how.)
• Be sure you have emptied: freshwater, wastewater, water heater tank and bathroom flush (if separate from freshwater) (Ensure your rest room is empty too…!) You might favor to purchase a water heater bypass equipment as a substitute. 
• Open all inside faucets (yep, whereas over the drain)- LEAVE these open all winter.
• When you have a mixer faucet, open it within the center so either side are on.
• When you have inline water filters, disconnect and empty these.
• Go away the water pump working till faucets run dry (then flip it off rapidly to keep away from pump burnout)
• Take away the showerhead and drain water from the hose. Go away the hose hanging onto the toilet drain (you probably have a wetroom/ bathe room) or a bowl you probably have carpet.
• Test beneath the motorhome and ensure the u-bends are as empty as doable (that is usually the place the bathe u-bends are)
• If doable, go for a fast drive to bump issues round and ensure every part is as away from water as doable.
• Additionally, don’t overlook diesel and petrol have a shelf life. Now could be the time to test motorhome mills, motorbikes or anything within the van which makes use of gasoline and both drain it down utterly or test the gasoline to make sure it’s nonetheless okay.

Winterize drain down Package for RVs, Motorhomes and Campers

For one of the best outcomes, you could push air by way of the system to get all of the water out. That is the best kit we’ve found.

Do you have to use antifreeze when getting ready your motorhome for winter storage?

When you don’t use a drainage equipment just like the one above, there could also be some water left in your ‘u’ bends. You’ll be able to add a bit antifreeze down the plughole to assist cease this freezing (particularly in sinks and to the bathroom cistern.) 

Do you have to use motorhome antifreeze within the freshwater tank?

DON’T add antifreeze to your freshwater pipe until it’s particular RV motorhome antifreeze which is non-toxic!!! This can be a safe non-toxic antifreeze to use in drinking water systems.

Winter RV Motorhome Ideas- Battery winter storage & care

First, be sure that each your motorhome leisure battery and your engine battery are totally charged.

Engine batteries are inclined to fare higher in winter, however leisure batteries, particularly these housed in exterior lockers, typically fail in chilly climate.

This may be attributable to the age of the battery, however can typically be induced if the temperature drops very low. Try to keep away from this by leaving the leisure battery on a trickle cost, similar to from a photo voltaic panel, or you possibly can even take away the battery utterly and retailer it at house for the winter. 

NOTE: Even when saved at house, batteries will want top-up charging each 4-6 weeks to forestall issues.

READ MORE: Complete Guide to caring for your motorhome leisure battery

Do you have to cowl your motorhome in winter?

Ideally, you need to retailer your motorhome or campervan indoors throughout winter. If that’s not doable then sure, a motorhome cowl is a good suggestion. The extra layers of insulation the motorhome has, the higher.

Nonetheless, make sure that you utilize a breathable cowl, like this, in any other case the air gained’t flow into and also you’ll trigger mould and damp. (Be warned- they’re NOT simple to placed on!!) You additionally need to ensure you get one which inserts your automobile AND which permits entry to the habitation door.

Some individuals simply select to cowl their windscreen- and also you would possibly select to depart your wiper blades hinged away from the windscreen to allow them to’t freeze in place. 

Making ready your motorhome for winter- different ideas

• If you’ll be able to connect with energy, go away a small heater on low/ evening time setting to protect towards freezing.
• Match exterior vents to fridges and go away fridge door open
• Go away cupboards and inside doorways open to permit air to flow into
• You’ll be able to spray a bit WD-40 on catches, locks and a few electrics to forestall rust or corrosion. 
• Guarantee all protecting techniques are working ok- alarms, trackers and so forth. You might want to set up further safety measures like an additional habitation door lock– winter is a standard time for thieves to strike.

Don’t overlook to seize your FREE RV motorhome winter storage guidelines

Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?

Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here

Defend your motorhome from rodents- The biscuit take a look at!

It’s a tragic reality {that a} motorhome or campervan left alone for some time will entice varied animals in search of a house. Mice, rats and spiders can all move in during your absence. 

Probably the greatest tips we’ve heard of is the biscuit take a look at. 

Put a tiny piece of biscuit on the ground within the motorhome once you go away it for winter. If it’s nonetheless there once you return, you don’t have any mice or rats as residents! 

Sadly, we don’t have any good tips to discourage spiders. Conkers, laundry sheets and blocking holes with tissue could help- however don’t overlook you could go away some air flow into the van… which suggests holes. Vicious circle, sadly.

Issues to do DURING winter storage and shut down

As soon as your motorhome is ready and tucked away for the winter, you possibly can’t simply overlook about it for five months (though I doubt you’ll overlook anything- winter is the BEST time to plan your next epic motorhome trip.)

Nonetheless, there are some issues you could do throughout winter shutdown to take care of your van. Don’t overlook, motorhomes and campers are constructed on the identical chassis as workvans. They don’t seem to be designed to be sat idle for months on finish.

As a way to stop points after being stood for lengthy intervals, you could do the next not less than as soon as a month if doable:

• Test in your motorhome if it’s not parked close to you
• Search for indicators of mould or damp and cope with any potential issues asap- leaving it solely makes it worse!
• Begin the engine and ideally go for a brief drive (not less than 20 minutes)
• Go away gearbox in impartial if doable and/ or don’t use the handbrake- or alternate between the 2 to attempt to restrict put on. (That is when wheel wedges are helpful.)
• When you can’t drive, run the engine for half-hour and rev in a single minute intervals as soon as it’s heat (that is inferior to driving it, and should trigger build-up)
• Flip the air-conditioning on (ideally, when you’re driving the motorhome.) I do know, it’s winter, and chilly, however this actually helps maintain the system ticking over for everytime you subsequent want it. 
• Transfer the automobile barely so it’s not continually on the identical patch of tyre. Alternatively, use tyre savers to take the load off, particularly in case your motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes.
• Tyre covers could be helpful too to guard the brake discs.

Whereas we’re as regards to tyres, test (and open) your spare wheel casing you probably have one. Many individuals by no means do that and the lock corrodes, which means you possibly can’t entry the spare tyre when you could!

Motorhome Winter Storage Ideas- issues to do AFTER winter

Lastly, FINALLY, winter involves an finish and it’s time to begin getting ready to your subsequent motorhome holiday. However, earlier than you set off, there are some vital issues to test and do.

You may get an entire pre-trip & motorhome departure checklist here

• Reconnect something which was disconnected, just like the battery
• Test the battery continues to be serviceable. If unsure, get it checked professionally
• Shut any pipes left open
• Take away any vent covers, skirting or motorhome covers
• Test tyre stress and drive automobile to ensure there are not any ‘flat spots’
• Do a full engine test, together with oil and water ranges.
• Give your engine an excellent run
• Test for any motorhome or campervan recalls to your mannequin. Does something want fixing?
• Fill gasoline and gasoline
• Clear. Get your motorhome clean inside and out and be prepared for the brand new season.
• Get a motorhome habitation check accomplished, or do one your self (however get the gasoline system professionally checked to your peace of thoughts.)

RELATED: Essential motorhome checks to make before every trip

I hope the above helps you put together your motorhome for winter storage.  If unsure, please do contact a storage or motorhome vendor for recommendation in your particular mannequin.

Need extra motorhome ideas? You’ll be able to find them all here

Final replace on 2024-07-28 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API

Sharing is caring!