Looking After Your Vehicle in the Winter

It is that time of year when the temperatures drop, the daylight hours are much shorter and for caravan and motorhome owners, it is time for your vehicle to go into storage. The majority of people leave their caravan and campervan adventures until the warmer months return and their vehicle won’t be used at all over winter.

Therefore, it is important that owners carefully maintain their vehicles throughout the off-season period, so that they are in perfect condition when they want to head out again in spring.

Here are some top tips on how to look after your vehicle over the winter:

Clean your vehicle’s exterior

You should do a full clean of your vehicle before it goes into storage, clearing any debris that has settled on the roof, or in any other areas. Make sure that any grime, moss, algae or bird dropping are completely cleaned off, as these can cause a lot of damage to your paintwork when left for a while.

Get a high-quality cover for your vehicle

Your vehicle is an asset that you want to keep well protected, so investing in a good quality cover will help to keep your vehicle in good condition for many years. As well as protecting from rain and dirt, a cover can prevent your vehicle from getting condensation. You can also use a cover in summer, to prevent damage from UV rays that can fade your paintwork.

 Tyre maintenance

 With the vehicle not moving over winter, the tyres can lose pressure, or they can misshape due to sitting in the same position. It is a good idea to regularly check the pressure and also move the vehicle slightly, so that you turn the tyres and that a different part of the tyre is on the ground. You should also be checking for any signs of cracking, as the cold weather can cause rubber to crack.

 Check for damp

 Do regular inspections to see if there are any signs of damp in your caravan, as the sooner you discover it, the less damage it will cause. Check for any broken seals or other issues that could cause damp.

 Keep your leisure battery charged

 If your vehicle has a leisure battery, you should make sure that your battery does not drop to a dis-charged state, as it then cannot get fully charged again. You can buy a maintenance charger that will keep your vehicle’s battery charged while in storage.

Still planning on using your vehicle in winter?

If you still want to get out in your vehicle over the winter, there are numerous campsites that stay open all year round. The cold weather can make your trip less enjoyable, but you don’t have to be cold when inside your vehicle.

The Eberspacher heaters at PF Jones are ideal for keeping you warm on your winter adventures, quickly and quietly providing warmth in the areas you need it. A fuel-efficient heater from our range will make sure you stay nice and warm on your travels this winter. We have a whole new heater range launching in November, so make sure you take a look.

Shop our Eberspacher heaters here.