Winter Storage Essentials: Protect Your Caravan or Motorhome from Damp and Damage
Winter is a tough test for leisure vehicles. Cold snaps, long periods off the road, and moisture can turn small issues into expensive repairs. The good news is that a simple storage routine can prevent most problems. In this guide you will find a clear, step by step checklist to help you protect tyres and batteries, drain and winterise your water system, control moisture, and secure your pride and joy. You will also learn how often servicing is needed, whether modern caravans still get damp, and if you can leave a motorhome on hook up through winter. If you want a professional hand, our workshop team in Lincolnshire can carry out pre storage checks, damp inspections, seal servicing, and post winter recommissioning.
Your step by step winter storage checklist
Follow this order before you put your caravan or motorhome away for the season.
1. Clean, dry, and ventilate
- Give the exterior a gentle wash to remove road salts and grime. Wax helps protect paint and trims.
- Clean inside, empty cupboards, and lift cushions to air. Leave internal doors and lockers ajar.
- Remove bedding and perishable foods. Prop the fridge door open to prevent smells and mould.
2. Drain down the water system
- Empty the fresh and waste tanks completely.
- Open all taps to the mid position and run the pump until the flow stops, then switch the pump off.
- Drain the water heater following the manufacturer guidance. Use the drain plug or lever.
- Remove shower heads and blow through pipework gently. Leave taps open for storage.
- Add non toxic antifreeze only if your manufacturer recommends it for specific components.
3. Moisture control
- Fit a few moisture absorbers in the living area and washroom. Replace as needed.
- Ventilate little and often on dry days. Crack roof lights slightly if the site allows and security is covered.
- Check window and rooflight seals for gaps. Book seal servicing if you see cracking or lifting.
4. Tyres and loads
- Inflate tyres to the upper end of the recommended storage pressure. Note your on road pressures for spring.
- Chock wheels and release the handbrake if safe to do so, to prevent shoes bonding to drums.
- Move the vehicle a quarter turn monthly to avoid flat spots, or use axle stands if storing long term.
5. Battery care and electrics
- For motorhomes, either remove the leisure battery to a warm, dry place and charge monthly, or connect a smart charger or solar maintainer for a steady top up.
- For caravans with a mover, keep the leisure battery maintained. A smart charger on a timer works well.
- Test alarms and trackers. Replace remote and sensor batteries now, not in February.
6. Fluids and engine checks for motorhomes
- Top up engine oil, coolant, screenwash with winter grade, and check brake fluid levels.
- Fill the fuel tank to reduce condensation. Consider a fuel stabiliser if the vehicle will sit for months.
- Run the engine to temperature monthly if safe and ventilated, or follow your manufacturer storage guidance.
7. Awnings and fabrics
- Dry awnings thoroughly before bagging. Store them indoors where possible.
- Inspect rails and seals, clean out debris, and check fixings. Repair small issues before spring.
8. Security and paperwork
- Use quality wheel clamps and hitch locks. Consider a steering lock for motorhomes.
- Notify your insurer of storage location and security measures. Confirm any conditions for cover.
- Photograph the vehicle and note mileage and condition at the start of storage.
Do modern caravans get damp?
Short answer, they can. Modern caravans use better materials, improved insulation, and more advanced construction, yet water still finds the weakest point. Rooflights, joints, rails, and window seals are the usual suspects.
Regular inspections and early intervention stop small ingress turning into soft walls and costly structural work. That is why we recommend an annual damp check and periodic seal servicing. If you spot musty smells, staining, or lifted sealant, contact our team for diagnosis and repair before winter sets in.
How do you maintain a caravan?
Think of caravan maintenance as three routines.
- Pre trip checks: tyres, lights, brakes, mover operation, hitch and breakaway cable, fluid levels for the car, battery charge, and a quick look at seals and rooflights.
- Seasonal servicing: a full habitation check with gas, electric, water, damp readings, and structural inspections. This is your safety net that catches hidden faults.
- Storage care: the winter checklist above plus a monthly walk around to catch problems early.
Keep records of any work, sealant dates, and damp readings. A simple log helps with warranty claims and resale value.
How often should a caravan be serviced?
Annually. A yearly habitation service is the standard recommendation for safety and longevity. It covers gas tightness, electrical tests, heating performance, water system checks, damp readings, chassis and running gear inspection, and moving parts like corner steadies and the handbrake. If you tour heavily, book an interim check after intense seasons. Schedule your service before winter to fix any issues prior to storage, or in early spring so you are road ready for Easter.
Is it okay to leave a motorhome plugged in all the time?
It depends on your charger and storage setup. Modern smart chargers can stay connected long term because they taper to a maintenance mode. Older chargers can overcharge batteries and shorten their life. Here is a safe approach:
- If you have a smart charger built in, you can leave the motorhome on hook up in storage and check fluid levels and case temperatures monthly.
- If you are unsure, use a smart charger on a timer, for example a short top up a few times per week.
- Alternatively, disconnect and charge the battery fully once a month. A solar maintainer works well if the vehicle gets daylight.
- Always ventilate the battery area and follow the manufacturer guidance.
If in doubt, ask our workshop to assess your charging system and advise the best plan for your vehicle.
When to book professional help
Book a visit if you notice any of the following:
- Damp readings rising above normal or persistent musty smells.
- Cracked, lifted, or missing sealant around rails, windows, or rooflights.
- Water heater or pump not priming after drain down.
- Tyre sidewall cracking, uneven wear, or date codes over six years old.
- Battery not holding charge, swollen case, or repeated low voltage alarms.
- Brakes binding after standing, or a mover that struggles under load.
We offer pre storage inspections, winter drain downs, seal servicing, damp checks, and post winter recommissioning so you can start spring trips with confidence.
Printable mini checklist
Print this and keep it in your locker.
- Wash exterior, clean interior, and dry thoroughly.
- Drain tanks, open taps mid position, drain water heater, remove shower head.
- Place moisture absorbers and crack vents on dry days.
- Inflate tyres, chock wheels, release handbrake if safe, rotate monthly.
- Maintain batteries with a smart charger or solar maintainer. Test alarms.
- Top up engine fluids, brim fuel, and run to temperature monthly where advised.
- Dry and store awnings. Inspect seals and rails.
- Fit security devices. Notify insurer. Record condition and mileage.
Visit us for checks, servicing, and winter support
Our family run showroom and fully equipped motorhome workshop on the A52 between Skegness and Boston is set up to help you protect your vehicle through winter. Call 0800 690 6161 or email info@lincsmac.co.uk to book a damp check, seal service, or a pre storage inspection. In spring we can handle recommissioning so you can hitch up and go.
A well planned winter routine saves money, avoids hassle, and extends the life of your vehicle. Follow the checklist, keep up with annual servicing, and lean on expert help when you need it. That way you will roll into spring with a clean, dry, and ready to tour home on wheels.
