Preparation For Winter Parking

[Ayjay]

Can anybody give me tips on sensible things to do to in preparing my new campervan for being parked out in the open over the winter.

It’s never going to be my daily ride but I do plan to take it for a ‘brisk’ 20 – 30 mile spin up the motorway at least once a month (whilst running the air con) and I will also be running the Planar parking heater for about 30 minutes once a month. When not being driven (obvs!), the van will be left on EHU all the time and the starter battery will be connected to a CTEK ‘smart charger’ (plugged into the van mains system at one end and the 12V dash socket at the other).

Security precautions aside, what else do I need to think about? It occurred to me to leave a small fan heater running inside it at the ‘frost’ setting but I also thought that a small dehumidifier might be a better alternative – are either sensible? I don't want to use a cover. Any views and other suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance....

 

[Salty Spuds]

We have a Screwfix oil filled radiator that we leave switched on in the van during winter months in between trips. Leave the cupboards/fridge/drawers open to allow the air to circulate.

 

[Nigel W]

Make sure you have drained the water tanks and leave the tap turned on (obviously not powered up and actually running). To clear water out of the tap supply pipe we put our mouth around the spout and give it a good blow.
You may find a drain valve somewhere to completely empty the fresh water tank as the submersible pump will not completely empty. Do everything you can to avoid frost damage to your water supply.
Don’t forget to empty and clean out your toilet, if you have one.
Leave all the cupboards open and open the fridge door.
We don’t use any form of heating or dehumidifier but on a fine day we will open the doors for as long as possible.
We leave our charger on to keep the leisure battery charged and have a little solar panel we put in the front window to keep the starter battery topped up. - we check the battery levels every week.
Open the bonnet every now and again and check for nesting mice!