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This is our first year with a van and I would not like to think that we have used it for the last time this year. Until now we have left everything inside in between uses.

We store it inside a friends barn which is open at one end and when we went to check it today I was surprised how cold the inside was and it has made me think about what should be done.

As an interim measure I have put all the clothing and bedding in vacuum storage bags and moved the cushions away from the van walls. On the one hand I dont want to pack up too much as it puts you off using it for short breaks which is all we will manage now. On the other hand I dont want things to get ruined, particularly the cushions - my husband thinks we should take them out. However they would take up a lot of space to store in the house.

Do people leave the cushions in successfully all year, our van is 6 years old (I dont know if this makes a difference) Does it make a difference that the van is under cover

If we do use it what else do we need to know, I saw a winter fridge cover what is this and when / why do you need it.

I'd like to hear from people as to what things they successfully leave inside.

Is there anything else we need to do? Oh and I should have said that we definately wont use it all year so I imagine there will be a time that we say thats it for this year. Thanks

As above the biggest risk is if water remaining in the pipes freezes and causes them to burst (see my thread today on the Floe system we have just tried). We do remove our cushions but they mostly fit under the double bed in our spare bedroom so don't take up to much room (we don't intend to use the van over the winter this year hence why they have been removed). Other things we have done are:

Fully drained down the toilet system. Removed all bottles of liquid in case they freeze and splilt. leave the handbrake off to prevent them sticking (I have choked the wheels). Removed leisure battery and will keep this in the garage and charge it up once a month. Leave the toilet paddle open to prevent it sticking. Removed all bedding, towels, etc.

Other people will comment on the things they will do and I know that removing the wheels is also recommend (although we won't be doing this as we don't have any axle stands, etc).

I wish we could use the van over winter but we don't have any annual leave left to use up plus we don't think our 9 month old would enjoy it if it were too cold (we need to use the awning so he can crawl around !!)

Thanks for the tips everyone, I have done most on the list above (apart from the opening of the loo vent which I will do in the next few days)

When it comes to draining the loo hubby emptys the cassette after I have flushed until there is no more liquid in the flush. Is that it? Do I need to do anything else to get the water out?

I have opened all the taps but have not got anything like the floe system. Does everyone do this or similar?

Quote: Originally posted by CatieB on 17/10/2011

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When it comes to draining the loo hubby emptys the cassette after I have flushed until there is no more liquid in the flush. Is that it? Do I need to do anything else to get the water out?

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Quote: Originally posted by michael on 18/10/2011

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