As the nights draw in and the first frosts approach, it’s time to think about winterising your caravan. Skipping this step is one of the most common (and most expensive) mistakes owners make, frozen pipes, flat batteries, and damp interiors are all avoidable with a bit of preparation. Here’s our complete checklist.
When Should You Winterise?
Aim to have everything done before the first hard frost, usually late October to November in most of the UK. If you’re storing your caravan for the season rather than touring through winter, it’s better to be early than late.
1. Drain the Water System
This is the single most important step. Leftover water left in pipes can freeze, expand, and crack pipework or damage the water heater.
- Turn off the water pump and disconnect any external supply
- Open all taps, including the shower, and leave them in the midway position between hot and cold to let air circulate through both feeds
- Locate your caravan’s drain valve (check the handbook if you’re not sure where it is) and drain the water heater and storage tank completely
- Flush the toilet to clear the flush tank, then add a small amount of caravan-safe, non-toxic antifreeze to the bowl and seal
- Remove and store any inline water filters separately, trapped moisture can crack the housing if it freezes
Worth knowing: if your caravan has an Alde wet central heating system, this already contains its own antifreeze and doesn’t need draining, though it’s worth having it checked periodically.
2. Sort the Battery
Batteries don’t like the cold, and a flat one over winter can shorten its lifespan significantly.
- Fully charge the leisure battery before storage
- Either disconnect it and store it somewhere dry and frost-free, or keep it on a smart trickle charger if you’re leaving it connected
- If your caravan has a solar panel providing a trickle charge, it may be fine to leave the battery in place, just check it periodically
3. Check Tyres and Gas
- Check tyre pressures before storage, and if the caravan won’t be moved for months, consider using axle stands to take the weight off the tyres and prevent flat spots
- Isolate gas cylinders if the caravan won’t be used over winter
4. Prevent Damp and Mould
A well-ventilated, dry caravan is far less likely to develop damp over winter than one that’s sealed up tight.
- Leave trickle vents open on windows to allow a little airflow
- Prop cupboard and wardrobe doors open to improve circulation
- Stand cushions and mattresses on their edge rather than leaving them flat
- Remove all bedding, soft furnishings, and anything sensitive to damp or cold
- Empty the fridge completely and give it a wipe with a weak bicarbonate of soda solution to stop any lingering smells
5. Clear Out Perishables and Valuables
Remove all food, both perishable and non-perishable, along with any valuables or electrical items you don’t want left in a cold, unattended caravan over winter.
6. Protect the Exterior
If your caravan is being stored outside, a breathable, weatherproof cover can help protect it from the worst of the weather. Make sure it fits properly and is securely fastened, a loose cover flapping in the wind can cause more damage than no cover at all.
7. Consider a Professional Drain-Down
If you’re not confident doing this yourself, a professional drain-down service takes the guesswork out of it and gives you peace of mind that it’s been done properly, particularly important if your caravan has a central heating system.
Getting Ready for Spring? We Can Help
Whether you’d rather have a professional handle the winterisation process, or you just want your caravan given a proper once-over before you put it away for the season, our servicing and repairs workshop is here to help, whether you bought your caravan from us or not.
Book yours in today: call us on 01845 407150, or get in touch online and we’ll take care of the rest.
This guide is intended as general advice. Always refer to your caravan’s handbook for model-specific instructions, and consult a professional if you’re unsure about any step.