If you’re not a passionate winter camper or can’t simply head south during the cold season, you should start winterizing your vehicle. In this article, you can find out how to winterize your caravan and motorhome so that it survives the next few months.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Video instructions: Winterizing your camper
In this video, we show you the 16 most important steps to ensure that your vehicle survives the cold months safe and dry:
Winterizing the interior of motorhomes and caravans
Kitchen
- Clear out food stocks – so mice and insects can’t find food and liquids can’t freeze!
- Empty, defrost and clean the refrigerator (possibly fit a winter cover for the ventilation)
- Keep the refrigerator door and freezer compartment flap open with a towel or dry cloth
- Clean the kitchenette and stove
Living and sleeping area
- Clean furniture with gentle agents (e.g. mild soapy water)
- Place cushions for better air circulation or place something underneath (prevents mold)
- For fixed beds: open the bed base or raise the mattress
- Clear out cupboards, leave cupboard doors and compartments open where possible
- Remove moisture-absorbing materials (carpets, clothing, bed linen, towels, paper, toilet paper, etc.)
- Oil/grease locks and hinges
- Treat seals with care product
Gas and sanitation
- Clean the bathroom thoroughly
- Cleaning the toilet cassette
- Afterwards: Fill the emptied and cleaned tank again with a little water and sanitary fluid, swirl well and leave to stand for 1 to 2 days. Then empty as usual and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Prepare the water system for winter: Clean the water tanks with the respective special fluids and empty them completely (e.g. with wm aquatec Hygiene-Trio)
- Do not forget the hot water boiler, shower head and pumps, there is usually still residual water here! – Blow out pipes if necessary
- Leave the taps open
- Clean the heating or heating box
- Close the gas stopcocks in the interior
- If necessary, set up a dehumidifier with dry granulate (e.g. Wenko moisture killer).
Info
The topic of moisture killers is a classic question of belief. While many campers swear by them, others claim that such dehumidifiers are “harmful” because they draw additional moisture into the vehicle. We have used them ourselves so far without any problems, but the prerequisite is of course that they are used correctly – i.e. emptied regularly.
Electronics
- Remove electronic devices such as televisions if necessary
- If present: Disconnect and remove the on-board battery, store in a dry, frost-proof place
(alternatively: charge the battery vigorously before winter so that it survives the frost period)
attention
When disconnecting the on-board battery, the negative terminal must be disconnected first!
Winterizing tasks: winterizing the outside of the camper
- Thoroughly clean the outer walls (don’t forget the wheel arches!) and preserve if necessary
- Repairing damage to the superstructure
- If possible: Underbody wash
- Gently clean windows and skylights with a sponge or soft cloth and special gentle acrylic glass cleaners (e.g. from mycleanhome)
- Close the gas valve on the gas cylinder, allow the gas to escape from the pipes, remove the hoses
- If possible: Remove gas cylinders and store in a dry place
- Clean and dry the awning/awning (e.g. with awiwa awning and awning cleaner)
- For permanently installed awnings: Grease the joints
- If available: Remove dirt from the antenna / satellite system
- Position the vehicle straight, level out any unevenness with wheel chocks or shims – Fine-tune the caravan with the supports
- Increase tire pressure (up to 0.5 bar above the usual value is recommended)
- Raise the vehicle moderately with “jacks” (relieves the wheels and axle and prevents flat spots!)
- Attach anti-theft protection (e.g. wheel claw from Milenco)
Especially for caravans
- Grease hinges, handbrake and jockey wheel
- Put the protective cover on the drawbar (e.g. universal cover from innislink)
- Attach protective cover to the drawbar box if necessary
- If you are using a tarpaulin: Please make sure that it does not lie directly on the caravan – otherwise the air cannot circulate
- approx. 1 x per month:
- Move the caravan to avoid damage to tires and axles
- Ventilate
- Replace dry granulate
Especially for motorhomes
- Fully charge the vehicle battery
- Fill up (ideally with winter diesel)
- Drive slowly and brake lightly so that the brakes “run dry”
- Then secure the vehicle with chocks, level out any unevenness and release the handbrake
- Fill with antifreeze for the engine and windshield washer system
- Fold the windshield wipers forwards (rubber lips should not rest against the windshield)
- approx. 1 x per month:
- Moving the motorhome to avoid damage to tires and axles
- Ventilate
- Replace dry granulate
- Recharge the battery (e.g. with a mobile charger)
Tips and recommendations for vehicle care
Car wash
To wash your caravan or motorhome, you must always go to an official car wash. Some cities have their own camper van wash boxes, otherwise truck washes are also ideal! Washing vehicles in public areas is prohibited for environmental reasons.
➡️ You can find more information on this in this article: Keep your caravan sparkling clean! Our best tips .
TÜV/ gas test
If the MOT and/or gas test are due soon, you can of course have them done before mothballing – then nothing stands in the way of a spontaneous outing in nice spring weather next year.
Home remedies for cleaning
Please use environmentally friendly cleaning agents in sparing doses – nature will thank you for it!
- Vinegar from the spray bottle for gentle disinfection of the fridge and freezer compartment: Simply pour the solution onto a soft cloth and wipe the surfaces carefully.
- A mild lye solution made from water and natural soap for furniture surfaces and worktops
- Baking soda and lemon juice for heavy soiling on the gas hob
- A mixture of water and a few drops of washing-up liquid (e.g. Ecover) for the sink and toilet bowl
Product recommendations
For outer skin, acrylic windows and rubber seals:
- Breite: 14 cm
- Höhe: 28 cm
For cleaning from the outside:
- 𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗙𝗧 – Der Licargo Autowaschhandschuh besteht aus hochwertiger…
- 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗠 𝗦𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗞 – Speziell entwickelte Mikrofasern…
For cleaning awnings and awnings:
- GRÜNDLICHE REINIGUNG: Der Reiniger für Markise und Vorzelte von awiwa entfernt Schmutz und…
- STARKE WIRKUNG: Natürliche Mikroorganismen entfernen Verfleckungen und Grünbeläge auf…
For water tanks and pipes:
- HYGIENE TRIO: Das Wasserhygiene Set bietet einen Komplettschutz für dein Frischwassersystem bis 160…
- REINIGUNG & DESINFEKTION: Mit DEXDA Clean desinfizierst du nicht nur den Frischwassertank, sondern…
For the final cleaning of the toilet cassette:
For leveling and securing:
To protect the drawbar on caravans:
- Premium Material: Aus 600D Oxford-Gewebe, das wasserdichter, unempfindlicher und verschleißfester…
- Anhänger-Schützer: Deichselabdeckung schützer für alle Jahreszeiten und Wetterbedingungen…
To protect against theft:
- Die Kompakt-Parkkralle passt auf alle Autos, Wohnwagen und Wohnmobile mit Rädern von 12” bis 16”…
Checklist to download
You can print out the checklist here – simply click on the preview banner to download it:
Experts in the podcast on the topic of “Winterizing vehicles”
In our podcast, Nele and Sebastian take a detailed look at the topic of“winterizing your vehicle“, providing information and practical tips. Have a listen:
Alternatively, the podcast with the topic“Caravans and motorhomes in hibernation” will certainly be of interest to you. Be sure to listen to this one too:
This might also interest you:
- Camping beginners – our Facebook group for beginners
- Water in the motorhome – basics, hygiene and tips
- Environmentally friendly spring cleaning in the camper
- Save costs during the winter break with seasonal license plates and rest insurance
- Damage in the winter quarters or at the storage space: Does the insurance pay?
- Contents insurance – The “household contents” for motorhomes and caravans
We wish you a wonderful and not too long camping-free time!
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