As discussed in our previous blog post, it’s important to protect your motorhome from the winter elements to ensure it remains fully functional and safe to drive. For those of you planning on storing your motorhome away over the winter months, it’s just as important to prepare your vehicle so it remains safe and secure during any extreme weather.

This article will explain the best practice for storing your second hand motorhome over the winter, as proper motorhome care prior and during storage can prolong the lifespan of your vehicle.

Interior preparation checks

First and foremost, you must make sure that the interior of your motorhome is thoroughly cleaned and all food stored in the cabinets and fridge is completely removed to avoid any nasty surprises when it’s time to start driving again! While doing so, make sure you turn off the fridge and defrost the freezer compartment, leaving the door wide open to air the appliance out. Top tip: placing baking soda inside the fridge compartments will absorb any nasty smells.

• Other preparation checks for the interior of your motorhome include:
• Remove any clothing and bedding inside the vehicle to prevent mildew growth or damp
• Close all windows, blinds, shutters and curtains to prevent sun exposure from bleaching your carpet and upholstery
• Leave doors, drawers and cupboards open to air them out
• Open all overhead air vents to help with air circulation throughout the vehicle; this will prevent any damp problems occurring
• Gently apply a coating of thin oil or water dispersant, such as WD-40, on all hinges to protect them from rusting
• Check that every window and sunroof is completely closed and locked

Water system

To prevent accumulations of frost on your vehicle over the winter months, you must make sure that the water system is fully emptied, as even the smallest amount of water trapped in your tap can lead to costly damage.

• Turn on all the taps and drain valves to let them run, and remove any drainage plugs; if you are unsure where the valves are located, make sure you consult the manufacturer’s handbook
• Remove the shower head from the holder and shake off any water residue
• Drain the water from the toilet and clean thoroughly
• Switch on your external and internal water pumps and allow them to run for as long as required until they are completely clear of water; again, if you are unsure where these pumps are located in your vehicle, remember to take a look at the handbook for further details
• Drain any portable water containers or carriers stored in your motorhome to prevent any mould or mildew growth inside the cannister
• Finally, pump a non-toxic antifreeze through the water system to prevent any remaining water from freezing over

Covering the exterior of the vehicle

When selecting a cover to help preserve the bodywork of your motorhome over the winter, you have a choice of either a breathable cover, or a waxy protective coating. The latter boasts low cost, durable qualities, while a high quality cover will provide a waterproof, UV resistant material.

Battery care

Battery maintenance is paramount during the winter storage preparation process. If you intend on starting the engine while the vehicle is in storage to check it is still running properly, the batteries must be left in the unit. Over the winter period, a discharged battery will freeze far quicker than a charged one, so make sure they are fully charged prior to storage.

However, if you are leaving your motorhome in long-term storage, you should remove the batteries and store them in a place where they will not freeze over.

For professional advice on how to look after your motorhome over the winter period, or to purchase your own second hand motorhome, simply contact our expert team at Glenns. We have an extensive range of motorhomes from leading names for you to choose from, so don’t hesitate to get in touch today!