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Subject Topic: Draining down the van
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28/9/2011 at 12:23am
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just to add, i take the shower head off the pipe and let the pipe hang down free, this stops water freezing in the pipe and making sure that there`s no water running back to the mixer tap.i blow down the shower pipe with all taps open to clear out the water also though out the van.

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Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!


nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.


28/9/2011 at 9:13am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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 i take the shower head off the pipe and let the pipe hang down free, this stops water freezing in the pipe and making sure that there`s no water running back to the mixer tap

yes i do this the shower heads are expensive.



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


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28/9/2011 at 11:51am
 Location: Warwickshire
 Outfit: Bailey Senator Indiana
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I think I am pretty careful - but I don't want to be OTT or it takes pleasure out of the relaxing!

I wonder if it is absolutely necessary to take EVERYTHING out of the van?

I leave cleaning stuff in a bucket so that if it freezes and splits the containers, it collects in the bucket on thawing thereby containing the mess.

I make sure all the water is drained and lower the shower pipe and remove the head.

I take out anything in containers that may be nibbled by mice but leave hardier containers in the van eg tins, very though plastic containers.

I bung every hole up with wire wool and put mouse poison down in various places.

The tins did freeze last year! No harm done though apart from possibly the texture of some food was questionable! I would rather lose a couple of tins of food than keep emptying and filling the van. Takes relaxation out of it. I do use the van in the winter, obviously not as often, but it is in storage and I leave it as well as I can "in case" I don't go back for several weeks.

I have to leave the cushions in and obviously the mattress! I figure that if I am leaving those items, I may as well leave a couple of towels and the sheets. You just can't prepare for EVERYTHING other than stripping it out to a shell ???

I am a bit of a worrier, but I try to balance being sensible with causing unnecessary work lol!!!

Advice on here always helps as I am relatively new to all this.


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28/9/2011 at 12:29pm
 Location: cheshire
 Outfit: bailey ranger 470 4
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Put the van on axel stands as recommended by alko this helps prevent suspension sag saves the tyres also helps to prolong the life of wheel bearings


28/9/2011 at 2:15pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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i do not leave cupboard doors open for the simple reason they can and do warp,once this has happened there is no way to close the door correctly.not had the problem myself but i have seen it on secondhand vans at the dealers.i put large silicone bags inside as used it a soft chair delivery ext.

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


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28/9/2011 at 4:15pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0
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Quote: Originally posted by robin52 on 27/9/2011
I also remove batteries from clocks/remotes etc.

Whenever we leave the van for any period of time, I slip a small piece of card between the + end of the battery and it's terminal in remote etc. This is sufficient to isolate the battery, but keeps the batteries in their respective devices; easier then to save hunting for the battery box as you whip out the bit of card and it stores within the battery compartment too.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


29/9/2011 at 11:09am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
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Have been looking at this product to ensure complete drain-down.

http://www.keepfloeing.com/products-touring.html

Anyone have any experience of this product ?



29/9/2011 at 11:56am
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Quote: Originally posted by Bill Terry on 28/9/2011
just to add, i take the shower head off the pipe and let the pipe hang down free, this stops water freezing in the pipe and making sure that there`s no water running back to the mixer tap.i blow down the shower pipe with all taps open to clear out the water also though out the van.


Ive been doing this to Bill but lost the mixer tap on the kitchen this year..im going to put a big wooly sock on it this year along with the other taps...just to make shoe. wont happen again..


-------------
Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


29/9/2011 at 2:21pm
 Location: Lanarkshire
 Outfit: Compass Lynx 340 2
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Quote: Originally posted by jcg900 on 29/9/2011

Have been looking at this product to ensure complete drain-down.

http://www.keepfloeing.com/products-touring.html

Anyone have any experience of this product ?


Hi jcg900, I have one, used it to drain down van last season, amazed at how much water was left in pipes after a normal drain down, almost 2pints of water, also bought a digital tyre compressor from Halfords (£25 I think), set pressure at 15psi, 5psi under max pipe pressure so as not to damage pipes or seals in taps, I have found it to be a handy piece of kit. hope that helps



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If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.



John


29/9/2011 at 2:37pm
 Location: Lanarkshire
 Outfit: Compass Lynx 340 2
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Hi All, I take out all cushions from van, 2 reasons for this, 1, keeps the damp ambient air off cushions and 2, if I need to do any work or repairs makes it easier to do with cushions out. Also take out food container that I keep the tins and packet food stuff in, use them up in house, reason I do this now is, I once needed the food after a long delay in getting to site, went to use the emergency rations only to discover that they were out of date. So now take food stuffs out use and replenish.  



-------------
If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.



John


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29/9/2011 at 11:03pm
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View Bill Terry's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bill Terry Reply   Quote Bill Terry Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 29/9/2011
Quote: Originally posted by Bill Terry on 28/9/2011just to add, i take the shower head off the pipe and let the pipe hang down free, this stops water freezing in the pipe and making sure that there`s no water running back to the mixer tap.i blow down the shower pipe with all taps open to clear out the water also though out the van.

Ive been doing this to Bill but lost the mixer tap on the kitchen this year..im going to put a big wooly sock on it this year along with the other taps...just to make shoe. wont happen again..



I hope u have washed the socks first jeff? Lol



-------------
Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!


nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.


30/9/2011 at 7:21am
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford
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If you have the thetford C250 swivel toilet, besides draining tank get a pair of pliers and compress the spring clip on the U tube on the blue pump, as this does not drain and can freeze and split the pump,but remember to put it back on next time before filling flush tank.


30/9/2011 at 7:23am
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford
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Sorry i omitted remove the U tube.


30/9/2011 at 9:56am
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0
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Quote: Originally posted by jcg900 on 29/9/2011

Have been looking at this product to ensure complete drain-down.

http://www.keepfloeing.com/products-touring.html

Anyone have any experience of this product ?



Having checked out the video associated with this, plus JHSW's comments, I'm suprised how much water was purged from the system and this might be a worthy addition to the wintering tasks. I think to be fair, I'll knock one of these adaptors up, as £45 quid seems steep for such an infrequently used bit of kit, of about £18 in value (plus I already have a spare trigger fitting).

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!



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