Storing camper over winter

Im clueless???

 
 
 
 
 
 
id0ntkn0w
Newbie
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Age: 34
Posts: 5
Registered: 08 / 2023
Subject:

Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 14.08.2023  ·  #1
Hi,
Due to a family bereavement, I will need to safety store a camper van this winter. I'd be so grateful if someone could advise the key points. I assume I will need to get a trickle charger so the battery wont die (although it has 2 batteries...a leisure and the engine battery)...or can I take out or disconnect the batteries instead?
I have the option of storing it in a shed or in a barn. I'd be most grateful of all advise as I want to make sure its taken care of properly.
Many thanks in advance
Lisa


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32600
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 14.08.2023  ·  #2
As you are storing inside obviously a solar panel to keep batteries charged is no good, if you have EHU then you could switch that on and off to keep them charged, personally, I'd take them out and keep them topped up at home.

Stand all cushions up, open all cupboard doors and leave a window open on the catches to help air to circulate.

Liked by: eirebus, id0ntkn0w

TommyS
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Age: 20
Posts: 2106
Registered: 10 / 2017
My Motorhome: EuraMobil
Base Vehicle: Fiat
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 14.08.2023  ·  #3
As Allys says and drain your water so frost isn't a problem


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32600
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 14.08.2023  ·  #4
Quote by TommyS

As Allys says and drain your water so frost isn't a problem


Oh yeah, and open your taps so the water drains out.

Liked by: id0ntkn0w

Albert the Talbot
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Telford/ Fermanagh
Age: 63
Posts: 1238
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: Pilote Galaxy 92
Base Vehicle: Sprinter
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 14.08.2023  ·  #5
And remove all foodstuffs unless tinned to reduce the possibility of a rodent infestation

Liked by: eirebus, id0ntkn0w

sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 93
Posts: 7431
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 15.08.2023  ·  #6
If its an open barn has anything g been done to stop the pigeon's roosting above it.?


id0ntkn0w
Newbie
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Age: 34
Posts: 5
Registered: 08 / 2023
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 15.08.2023  ·  #7
Quote by Ally

As you are storing inside obviously a solar panel to keep batteries charged is no good, if you have EHU then you could switch that on and off to keep them charged, personally, I'd take them out and keep them topped up at home.

Stand all cushions up, open all cupboard doors and leave a window open on the catches to help air to circulate.


Thank you so much for your reply. I think the best option is to remove the batteries. This is a silly question but would it be enough to disconnect them? Although, they would go flat I guess.
Would you recommend removing them and connecting them to a trickle charger? I read that online somewhere :)
Also, time for another stupid question!!! (I'm a complete novice!)...is it possible there is a 3rd battery somewhere? Where should I look?
I feel stupid asking but better safe then sorry!


id0ntkn0w
Newbie
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Age: 34
Posts: 5
Registered: 08 / 2023
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 15.08.2023  ·  #8
Quote by sprinter

If its an open barn has anything g been done to stop the pigeon's roosting above it.?


Such a good point! Thank you :)


id0ntkn0w
Newbie
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Age: 34
Posts: 5
Registered: 08 / 2023
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 15.08.2023  ·  #9
Quote by Albert the Talbot

And remove all foodstuffs unless tinned to reduce the possibility of a rodent infestation


Thank you so much for your advise!
I wonder is it necessary to place a storage heater inside the van for condensation? Or maybe thats a no no!
I know people do that with a motorbike, they place a small heater under the winter cover to avoid rust, but maybe thats a different ballgame :)

Liked by: lapsed

Flipperdipper
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: WEXFORD
Age: 73
Posts: 1670
Registered: 12 / 2012
My Motorhome: HOBBY 600
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.8
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 15.08.2023  ·  #10
Quote by id0ntkn0w

Also, time for another stupid question!!!


There's no such thing, we're all novices, some with just a bit more experience than others. There could well be a third battery, one starter battery and two leisure batteries. What make and model of camper have you? Someone with a similar model might be able to give you more detailed information. If possible I'd use it over the winter, even if it's only a twenty mile Sunday drive brew up a cuppa and enjoy the view before heading back home again


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 93
Posts: 7431
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 15.08.2023  ·  #11
Quote by Flipperdipper

Quote by id0ntkn0w

Also, time for another stupid question!!!


There's no such thing, we're all novices, some with just a bit more experience than others. There could well be a third battery, one starter wbattery and two leisure batteries. What make and model of camper have you? Someone with a similar model might be able to give you more detailed information. If possible I'd use it over the winter, even if it's only a twenty mile Sunday drive brew up a cuppa and enjoy the view before heading back home again


Well said Liam, add if you give an idea of where you are someone might offer to have a look with you.

Liked by: eirebus, id0ntkn0w

Mark&Wendy
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Killinchy, Co. Down
Age: 57
Posts: 1295
Registered: 02 / 2016
My Motorhome: Roller team 707
Base Vehicle: 2016 Ducato
Subject:

Re: Storing camper over winter

 · 
Posted: 16.08.2023  ·  #12
If there is access to power in the barn or shed, just plug it in. On board charger will do it’s thing. Just make sure there is air circulating as Ally said. That should stop any condensation and mould.

Liked by: eirebus

Selected quotes for multi-quoting:   0

Registered users in this topic

Currently no registered users in this section

The statistic shows who was online during the last 5 minutes. Updated every 90 seconds.