We are newbies and would any advice about winter trips out. We have been campers for 10 years and have a folding camper but have just bought a caravan. We plan on using the caravan in the cooler months and winter.
We are unsure about draining the water off, should we do it now and after each trip out or wait till it gets colder. We are planning to go off again in the next 2 weeks and as many times as we can. Also any other tips about winter trips out would be most appreciated.
Same here. We drain down the water and the toilet flush every time we leave the van from October to April. If your van is insured, you may well find that this is called for by your policy.
Agree with the others, I usually drain out on last morning of holiday on site and leave plug out and taps open until I get home.
Movement whilst towing home should remove any excess that is worth bothering about.
I also clean/flush at end of my season (November) and do the same at start of my next season (March).
Some folks camp all through winter and will have a different regime/timetable/method.
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Thanks I think we will drain everything off next weekend to be on the safe side. A good excuse to go and sit in the caravan after the drainage. I wish I had a drive I would be in it pottering about now.
If you plan to use it all over winter you could put windscreen anti freeze in toilet flush if it is the model with its own tank.
but drain water heater and taps between every trip.
also when using it if you have aquaroll wrap in bubble-wrap or the sponge you put under laminate flooring and place in aqua storage bag,
use 22mm sponge pipe insulation on pump
tubing and electrics from inside aqua roll to inlet of van incase of over night frost.
lastly put window or car anti freeze in waste water container
lastly use heavy weight sleeping bags to stop yourself from freezing if you do not like sleeping with gasfire on
you need around 36 hours below zero to do damage.. the water in the system has to freeze solid..
where i live in the east midlands i dont think we had one single period like that last winter..
when it gets cold i will leave a heater in my van to keep the temperature above zero.. i intended to use it during the winter and like it ready to go..
we dont seem to get really cold freezing periods now like i remember when i was younger..
Don't forget winter covers for your fridge.
If the temperature outside is below 6deg without them it will struggle to cool the inside as the heat exchange won't work properly.
If camping off grid, allow for the extra drain on your battery by running heating and lighting longer and lack of sunlight for solar panels. Changing your internal bulbs to LED's will help.
hi i would drain down every time and the inline filter get rid i havent use one for 6 years waste of money buy your self a filter jug for your water for a lovely cup of tea cheers .tom