4 tips for winter-proofing your caravan

Experts are predicting a harsh winter for 2019/20, so as well as digging out your warmest coats, hats, gloves and maybe thermals, don’t forget to also winter proof your caravan.

Even with modern insulation caravans are very susceptible to cold temperatures. Pipes, toilets and sinks can freeze and then cause flooding when they thaw out.

Some Parks offer a winter service but there is usually a charge for this. By taking a few simple steps you can protect your static caravan from the cold weather:

1. Firstly, turn off the water supply to your static caravan. If you don’t know how to do this, ask at your Park office or ask a neighbour.
2. Inside the static caravan – turn on all the taps. This gets the last of the water out of the pipes and can prevent airlocks. It also gives any water in the pipes somewhere to expand if they do freeze.
3. Showers – ideally disconnect the shower hose from the thermostatic mixer control and lay it down in the shower tray. If you cannot disconnect, at least unhook the shower hose and lay it down in the tray.
4. Toilets/cisterns – flush all toilets to remove as much water as possible. Ideally scoop all the water out of the toilet bowl too

As well as the static caravan’s plumbing system, soft furnishings can also be affected by winter weather. When you return to a caravan after a period of time away it can feel damp and cold. We advise that you remove bedding from the beds and maybe even use the opportunity to wash your duvets and pillows.

You can also use this as an opportunity to have a deep clean of your static caravan. Clean and dust all the surfaces, shelves and mirrors. Go through your bathroom cupboard and throw away any old toiletries, and then do the same with any out of date food in your kitchen cupboards. Then when you return in the spring your caravan will feel like new.

And if you don’t want to face another winter as a caravan owner, contact us about selling your static caravan for the best price.