The arrival of cooler weather and shorter days heralds the time of year when many motorhomers consider winterising their motorhome.
Although Australian winters don’t get quite as cold as some parts of the world, there are still a few things we recommend you take care of before travelling or storing your RV over the chillier months.
Whether you’re travelling in a fully self contained vehicle or a van conversion, a little bit of preparation will go a long way over winter!
Winterising your motorhome really just means getting it ready for winter. That could mean preparing it for travel, or for parking it up or storing it until the warmer weather arrives.
Preparing your motorhome for winter travel is all about maximising your safety and comfort. It will also help ensure your RV remains in tip-top condition. It does take a little effort, but it can make a big difference!
Prefer to hunker down at home and take your RV off the road? Getting stuck in with a few jobs first will mean your motorhome is ready for action when you are. The last thing you want to worry about when spring arrives is discovering an expensive issue that developed during storage!
Before parking up your motorhome for an extended period, there are a few steps to take first – especially over winter. A little pre-storage TLC and maintenance – both inside and out – means your RV will be clean and ready for the road come summer.
Now is the time to empty out the fridge and cupboards, sort out the glovebox, and declutter the storage lockers. You may like to remove any expensive RV accessories, such as the TV, and store these at home for safekeeping.
You may also want to take out any bedding and removable soft furnishings like cushions to help prevent them from developing mould or becoming musty.
Now that your motorhome is empty, it’s time to give it a good clean. Wipe down interior surfaces and inside cupboards, lockers, and the fridge. Give the exterior a good wash too – including the roof. Don’t forget to take down your RV awning and give this a good clean and dry.
As you’re going about your cleaning routine, make a note of any RV parts that might need repair. This could include broken handles, ripped upholstery, or exterior damage.
It’s also worth checking all your window, hatch, and door seals to ensure that no moisture can get inside. Now is also a good time to book your regular service and update your WOF or COF if needed.
If your motorhome is going to be off the road for a bit, it’s a good idea to switch off anything that uses power and turn off all LPG appliances. Turn off your gas tanks, disconnect, and store safely either outdoors or in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources.
We don’t recommend removing your 12V house battery, instead consider connecting the battery to an intelligent multi-stage charger. This will help keep it in good condition while it’s not in use.
A key step in winterising a self contained vehicle is to flush out and sanitise the water tanks and lines – including the waste tank and toilet cassette. Once this is done, completely empty your freshwater tank and flush any water out of the taps.
To help prevent condensation and mould inside your motorhome, it’s important to ensure some airflow. If your RV is stored inside a secure locker, you may like to leave windows and hatches open slightly. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to open up your RV on occasion and let some fresh air through. Moisture absorbers placed throughout your motorhome are also a good idea.
If you’re keeping your motorhome parked up outside, it’s worth investing in a good quality RV cover to help protect it against the elements, bird droppings, pollen, and dust. When you’re choosing a cover, look for one that offers good UV protection, is waterproof, tear-resistant, and has easy access in case you want to air out your RV. RV Sales Centre has a wide range of covers and other motorhome accessories and RV parts. Shop 24/7 with delivery across Australia.
Travelling in your motorhome over winter can be just as much fun as travelling at any other time of year. In fact, for some, it’s even better! The roads are generally quieter, campgrounds and attractions are often cheaper, and of course, there’s skiing and snowboarding fun to be had.
With a little extra preparation, you’ll be warm, safe, and ready to make the most of the cooler weather. Here are a few tips to help you winterise your motorhome for travel:
Safety as you travel in your motorhome is always a priority. Before you hit the road over winter, it’s vital to ensure your RV is in tip-top condition and roadworthy. This means checking things such as:
With winter comes rain, shorter days with less sunlight, and frost and snow (in alpine areas). Keeping an eye on the weather forecast means you can plan more for those days when the skies are clear and avoid getting caught out in the worst of the weather.
Driving in winter can be more challenging. Here are a few tips to help you stay safer on the roads:
Good heating in your motorhome or van conversion is a must for winter. Diesel heaters are a good option, just note that you will need to have a continuous source of power to run the electronics. LPG heaters are another option and work equally well to keep your RV warm. Another good option is to use a portable 12 volt RV heater.
One of the benefits of travelling by motorhome over winter is that a small space is easy to warm up! Here are a few tips to help you keep cosy in your campervan even on the chilliest of days:
A cosy winter campervan trip can make for a memorable holiday. Here are a few tips to help make your motorhome cosy, comfy, and as enjoyable as possible:
We hope our tips on winterising have been helpful in preparing your motorhome for storage or have inspired you to enjoy some winter travel!
Need some inspiration on what to see and how to make the most of your motorhome?
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