Caravan & Motorhome Winter Storage: Step-by-Step Guide
As autumn sets in and the season comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to start preparing your caravan or motorhome for its winter break. Winterisation is all about protecting your vehicle from the elements, preventing damage caused by damp, frost, and lack of use, and ensuring it stays in great condition while in storage. By giving your caravan or motorhome a little extra care now, you’ll avoid costly repairs later and enjoy a smoother start when spring arrives.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every stage of the winterisation process from deep-cleaning and draining the water system to checking batteries, tyres, and security. Whether you’re a seasoned tourer or new to caravanning, this step-by-step guide will help you confidently prepare your caravan or motorhome for winter storage.
With a few careful steps, you can protect it from damp, frost, and wear so it’s ready to roll again in spring. Follow this complete guide to winterising your leisure vehicle.
How to Prepare Your Caravan or Motorhome for Winter Storage
Clean and Air Out the Interior
Before storing your caravan or motorhome, it’s important to start with a thorough interior clean. Removing food, airing out soft furnishings, and improving ventilation will help prevent damp, mould, and pests during the colder months. Follow the steps below and you’ll return to a fresh and welcoming space in spring.
Empty and clean food storage: start by clearing out all perishables from your cupboards and fridge. Wipe down the fridge, freezer, and cabinets, then leave the doors slightly open to let air circulate. This helps prevent mould and musty smells.
Deep-clean surfaces: once you’ve removed any leftover food vacuum and wipe every surface, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where crumbs and moisture can attract mould or pests. A good clean now means fewer problems later.
Ventilate: open lockers, cupboard doors, and roof vents to allow air to move around. Place moisture absorbers like silica gel packs or damp traps inside to capture any humidity. Leave fixed beds and wardrobes open so air can move freely through your caravan or motorhome.
Soft furnishings: if you can, take out cushions, mattresses, and curtains and store them in a warm, dry place. If you need to leave them inside, cover them with sheets and stand cushions upright. This reduces mildew and discourages vermin from settling in.
Protect vents and drains: fit vent covers (such as fridge vent covers) to keep out rain, dirt, and insects. Close and cap exterior drain outlets to stop spiders or moisture from sneaking in.
Drain and Protect the Water Systems
Freezing water is the enemy of pipes and fittings, so drain the whole system before storing your caravan or motorhome for the winter.
Shut off and open taps: turn off the water pump and open all internal taps, leaving mixer taps in the mid position. Drain the fresh and waste water tanks, and if fitted, the water heater too.
Flush the lines: run the pump briefly with outlets open until only air comes out of the taps. Don’t forget to drain the shower or sink traps.
Toilet and waste: empty the toilet cassette and flush-water tank, then clean and spray the cassette’s rubber seal with silicone oil to stop it drying out. Leave the toilet blade slightly open.
Shower fittings: remove the shower head and hoses, drain them fully, and hang them so any remaining water runs out.
Final “jiggle” and antifreeze: a short drive with all drains open helps shake out trapped water. When done, close the drains but leave taps and valves open. Some owners also pour a little non-toxic antifreeze into the toilet and sink drains for extra protection, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Disconnect Gas and Fuel
Taking time to disconnect gas and fuel safely helps protect your caravan or motorhome and reduces fire risk during storage. Properly sealing, capping, and storing gas bottles and fuel ensures everything stays safe and ready for use when you return - just follow the below steps to ensure everything is disconnected safely.
Turn off gas and remove bottles: close all gas valves, disconnect bottles, and store them upright outdoors in a ventilated, secure spot away from ignition sources. Many storage sites don’t allow bottles to remain attached.
Cap off pipework: seal any open gas pipes or regulator fittings to keep pests out.
Fill up fuel tanks: keep your main fuel tank in your motorhome nearly full to reduce condensation. If the motorhome will sit for several months, add a fuel stabiliser.
Cover exhausts: plug or cover the exhaust of your motorhome to stop water, snow, or rodents entering. Wrap a cloth loosely around the tow hitch to prevent corrosion.
Check engine fluids: for motorhomes, check coolant levels and top up antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, and screenwash. Cold weather can expose leaks you might not notice otherwise.
Vehicle brake and handbrake: leave your motorhome in gear with wheel chocks in place instead of using the handbrake. This prevents the brakes from seizing over winter.
Battery Maintenance
Cold weather can be hard on batteries, so it’s worth taking time to protect and maintain them. Keeping batteries charged and stored correctly will ensure they stay healthy through winter and are ready to perform when spring returns.
Disconnect the leisure battery: for caravans, it’s best to remove the leisure battery and store it in a dry garage or shed. Motorhome batteries can stay on board if they power alarms or trackers, but isolate habitation electrics as directed in your handbook.
Keep it charged: use a trickle charger or solar panel to maintain charge. Avoid deep discharge, try not to let the battery drop below 50% capacity. If stored indoors, give it a full charge once a month.
Vehicle starter battery: use a battery maintainer for the engine battery, or start the engine occasionally to circulate fluids and recharge.
Check alarms and breakers: ensure all isolator switches are correctly set. The leisure unit should be on standby if it’s not being charged.
Tyres, Brakes and Suspension
When a caravan or motorhome sits unused for months, tyres and brakes can suffer. Properly preparing your vehicle using the steps below helps prevent flat spots, seizing, and corrosion, keeping your vehicle safe and ready to tow or drive in spring.
Tyre pressure: inflate tyres to their maximum safe pressure to avoid flat spots. If possible, move the vehicle slightly or rotate the wheels every few weeks.
Avoid flat spots: for long-term storage, some owners remove the wheels and rest the vehicle on axle stands or blocks. At the very least, move it a few feet each month.
Handbrake and chocks: use wheel chocks and leave the gearbox in gear instead of relying on the handbrake to prevent sticking.
Lubricate hinges and jacks: spray light oil on hinges, stabiliser legs, and electrical hookups to prevent rust and make spring setup easier.
Exterior Checks and Protection
The outside of your caravan or motorhome faces the harshest winter conditions. A thorough clean, inspection, and protective covering will stop corrosion, leaks, and dirt build-up, ensuring your pride and joy looks its best when you uncover it in spring.
Thorough exterior clean: wash away mud, road salt, and bugs from the body, roof, and undercarriage. Clean seams, rooflights, and window seals, and inspect for cracks or failed sealant. Repair any issues before putting your caravan or motorhome into storage.
Apply over-wintering fluid: a specialist spray helps repel moisture and protect paint and seals.
Body and chassis: check undercoating and rubber seals around the base for damage or lifting. Touch up or re-bond where needed to keep water out.
Cover (if used): fit a breathable, model-specific cover. Breathable fabric stops condensation, while plastic sheets trap moisture. Clean the vehicle first, and make sure the cover fits snugly to avoid wind damage.
Vent protection: if you’re not using a full cover, fit fridge-vent covers or splash deflectors to keep out water and debris.
Preventing Damp and Pests
Moisture and pests are two of the biggest threats during winter storage. Keeping air circulating and using simple deterrents will help prevent damp patches, mould, and unwanted visitors so your vehicle stays clean and dry.
Ventilation: airflow prevents damp, so keep roof vents or air bricks slightly open and don’t block ventilation points.
Damp-traps: place moisture absorbers in lockers and cupboards, and check or replace them through winter.
Drain hole plugs: plug sink and shower drains and close waste outlets to stop bugs and rainwater getting in.
Pest deterrents: use mothballs, peppermint oil, or dryer sheets to keep critters away. Avoid blocking vents completely.
Check periodically: if possible, visit occasionally to air your caravan or motorhome and check for leaks. Quick checks over winter can save big repairs and damage later.
Security Measures
A little extra security goes a long way in keeping your caravan or motorhome safe during storage. Visible deterrents, secure sites, and removing valuables as per the steps below all help protect your investment and give you peace of mind.
Locks and alarms: fit visible deterrents such as steering wheel locks, hitch locks, or wheel clamps, and activate alarms or trackers for peace of mind.
Remove valuables: take out personal belongings, money, electronics, and documents. Even removing smaller items like tools or GPS units reduces temptation for thieves.
Soft furnishings: removing cushions and linens not only prevents mildew but also deters theft.
Storage-site security: choose a storage site with good fencing, gates, lighting, and alarms. Let your insurer know where the vehicle will be stored.
Final Checklist and Servicing
Make sure you don’t miss a step when you start your winterisation, download our free Winter Storage Checklist and tick off each task as you go. It covers every step in this guide.
Before locking up, it’s a good idea to book a pre-winter service. This ensures both the habitation area and base vehicle are inspected and in good shape. At Chipping Sodbury Caravans, our NCC-approved workshop provides full servicing for caravans and motorhomes. A professional check-up can catch issues early so your vehicle is road-ready when spring returns.
By following these steps, from deep cleaning and draining to protecting against damp and checking security, your caravan or motorhome will stay safe and sound through winter. When the warmer weather arrives, you’ll be ready to hit the road again without any surprises.
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