Putting a caravan away badly costs money. Mould in the upholstery, a cracked water pump, a flat-spotted tyre, or a battery that will not hold charge come spring, all avoidable if you spend two to four hours on preparation before handing the van over for the winter. This checklist covers the eight jobs that matter most.
1. Drain the water system completely
Water left in pipes, the boiler, the water heater, or the flush tank will freeze once temperatures drop below zero. Ice expands. Plastic fittings and pump housings crack. The repair bill almost always exceeds the time it would have taken to drain properly.
How to drain the system:
Turn off the water pump and disconnect the on-board fresh-water tank.
Open every tap, inside and outside, and leave them open.
Locate the drain plug or valve at the lowest point of the system and open it.
If the caravan has a water heater, drain it separately via its own drain plug.
Run the pump briefly (with the tank disconnected) to clear residual water from the lines.
Leave all taps open throughout storage so any remaining moisture can evaporate.
Antifreeze is sometimes added to the system as a secondary step. Check your caravan handbook for the manufacturer's position on this. Some recommend it, some advise against.
2. Check for damp before storage begins
Storing a caravan that already has a damp problem means storing a problem you will not discover until the following spring, by which point the damage is worse. Use a damp meter on the walls, floor, and ceiling before the caravan goes away.
Pay attention to:
The area around rooflights and skylights (common entry points)
Below windows and around door seals
The rear nearside corner (catches driving rain)
The floor beneath the kitchen and bathroom units
Any reading above 15% on a damp meter warrants investigation before storage. Seal any gaps with appropriate caravan-grade sealant. Replace perished door seals and allow the interior to air thoroughly before closing up.
Leave a moisture absorber inside the van during storage. Products designed for caravans are widely available. Replace them at least once during a long winter storage period.
3. Tyres, corner steadies, and the chassis
Tyres left under load in one position for several months develop flat spots. In minor cases these resolve after a few miles of driving. In more pronounced cases the tyre is damaged permanently and needs replacing.
Options to protect your tyres during storage:
Move the caravan forward or back slightly every four to six weeks to rotate the contact patch.
Use caravan-specific tyre protectors (cradles that distribute the weight across a larger area).
Inflate tyres to the upper end of the manufacturer's recommended range before storage.
Wind down the corner steadies to take some weight off the tyres and keep the van level. Do not use corner steadies as a substitute for a properly hitched handbrake: leave the handbrake on and chock the wheels.
Spray the jockey wheel and corner steady threads with a light water-displacing lubricant before storage. They seize in cold, damp conditions.
4. Battery care over winter
A leisure battery left connected and discharged over winter will sulfate. Sulfation is largely irreversible and the battery will not hold a useful charge the following season.
Battery situation: Staying connected to mains at storage site
Recommended action: Use a smart trickle charger set to maintenance mode.
Battery situation: No mains at storage site
Recommended action: Disconnect and remove the battery; store indoors on a maintenance charger.
Battery situation: Vehicle battery (motor mover)
Recommended action: Same rule as the leisure battery: disconnect or trickle charge.
Battery situation: Solar panel fitted
Recommended action: A solar panel and a suitable controller will maintain charge without mains access. Confirm the panel is clean and unshaded.
Check the battery terminals for corrosion before disconnecting. A light smear of petroleum jelly on the terminals before reconnection in spring slows future corrosion.
5. The interior: ventilation, soft furnishings, and food
A sealed caravan with no airflow creates the conditions mould needs. The solution is controlled ventilation, not a hermetically shut van.
Remove all food, including tins (condensation causes label mould and the labels attract insects).
Leave cupboard and wardrobe doors open so air can circulate.
Remove cushions and soft furnishings if you have storage space for them indoors; if not, stand them upright so air can move around them rather than laying them flat.
Leave a roof vent cracked open (most are designed to stay secure while partially open) unless the storage yard advises otherwise.
Lift blinds and roller shades to prevent creasing.
Do not leave gas cylinders inside a stored caravan. Remove them entirely.
6. Gas system and appliances
Turn off the gas at the cylinder before disconnecting. If you are removing the cylinders, cap the regulator to keep moisture and debris out of the fitting.
For appliances:
Leave the fridge door propped open a few centimetres so it does not develop mould inside.
Clean the hob burners and leave the igniter holes clear.
If the caravan has a gas fire or blown-air heating, check the manufacturer's handbook for any winterisation steps specific to the system.
Do not assume the gas system is fine because it was fine last season. Have it inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer every twelve months. Booking the inspection before the touring season, rather than after, means faults are caught before you need the van.
7. Security at the storage site
Winter storage preparation is not only about protecting the vehicle mechanically. It is also about protecting it from theft. Caravans are targeted because they are high-value, often lightly monitored, and easy to tow away quickly.
Before choosing a storage site, check:
Is the compound gated and fenced with physical barriers that cannot be driven through?
Is there 24-hour CCTV coverage?
Is access controlled and staffed, or open to anyone with a code?
Does the site hold a Caravan Storage Site Owners Association (CaSSOA) gold or platinum accreditation?
Fitting a hitch lock and a wheel clamp before storage adds two physical layers that most opportunist thieves will bypass in favour of an easier target. Note your chassis number and photograph the caravan in situ at the yard. If it is stolen, these records speed up the police report and insurance claim.
Check with your insurer that the caravan is covered at the intended storage location. Some policies require the site to hold a minimum CaSSOA rating.
8. The walk-round before you leave
Before driving away from the storage site after dropping the van, take five minutes to walk round it:
All external hatches and lockers locked?
Taps closed (but see section 1: leave internal taps open)?
Hitch lock and wheel clamp fitted?
Corner steadies wound down?
TV aerial lowered?
Awning rail covers fitted if you have them?
Take a photograph of the caravan in position at the yard. Date-stamped images are useful if there is ever a dispute about the condition on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I start preparing a caravan for winter storage?
Two to four weeks before your intended drop-off date is a sensible lead time. That window lets you drain and air the van, investigate any damp readings, order replacement seals or parts if needed, and book a gas inspection if one is due. Leaving it until the last weekend of October, when demand at yards rises sharply, means less flexibility on timing.
Does Alltranz offer caravan storage in Daventry?
Yes. Alltranz operates a gated, fenced, alarmed compound at Long March Industrial Estate, Daventry. The site is monitored by 24-hour CCTV with staffed access. We are Road Haulage Association members and Move Assured accredited. Caravan storage can be booked as a standalone booking. <a href="/services/caravan-storage/">See our caravan storage page</a> for details or call us on 01327 876007.
What size space does a caravan need in a storage compound?
Most touring caravans need a space approximately 8 metres long and 2.5 to 3 metres wide. Motor movers make positioning easier in tighter yards. Contact us with your caravan's length including the A-frame to confirm the right allocation.
Should I cover my caravan during winter storage?
A breathable caravan cover reduces UV fading and surface contamination from bird droppings and tree sap. It does not replace the preparation steps above. A cover over a poorly ventilated van traps moisture rather than excluding it. If you use a cover, fit one rated as breathable by the manufacturer, not a tarpaulin.
Ready to make the move to Northamptonshire?
Find out about our Daventry caravan storage, see our general containerised storage options, or use the contact form to talk to the team. We are a family-run business at Long March Industrial Estate, Daventry: you are dealing with a person, not a job title. You can also call us directly on 01327 876007.
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