How to prepare your Demountable Camper for Winter Storage
Posted: November 6th, 2014, 9:43 pm
Number two in the 'How To' series for new users...
Winter Storage Precautions
So, the nights are drawing in and we’ve had the first frost. So for those of you who don’t plan using your demountable over the winter months it’s time to begin the winterizing process. Unless you are lucky enough to have a nice heated indoor storage, then there are a few things to deal with.
Frozen pipes, pumps and taps are pretty expensive to fix, and even a partial freeze could stress a hidden pipe joint just ready to spring a leak in an awkward place next season.
So first step is to completely drain the water tank.
Open the filler aperture to allow free flow of air, then find the dump valve.
Some DIY systems may not have one, so bail the tank out from the inspection hatch.
Then to clear every drop from the system, try to blow the lines through with a compressor.
Leave all the taps open so any trapped water doesn’t freeze.
,,,and put the shower head in the sink with the valve held open with an elastic band, or remove the shower head
Next drain down the toilet flush tank (if separate)
Open the rubber bung in the cassette hatch.
Once empty, put the cassette back, then run the flush (electric or manual) to clear the last water. Empty the cassette then return to its housing and put a little toilet blue in the bottom.
If you have Alde ‘wet’ heating then this may need attention as some of the feed pipes run close to the access hatch and could freeze. I keep my camper at home so instead of draining down I run the heating on low if it’s likely to be below freezing for a few days. If your camper is stored in a storage facility, then drain it down.
If you plan to run the heating, this is a good time to check the water level..
Top up above the MIN mark if low.
If you need to drain down, locate the dump valve in the service hatch.
If you don’t have a storage barn or other hard cover you may prefer to fit a camper cover from one of the many cover makers.
Simple Fiamma ‘tarp’ type cover
Fitted camper cover
Until my camper car port is built, then it’s got to live out in the elements, so it’s time to protect the outside.
This type of ‘winter coat’ product from various manufacturers works well enough,
it’s like a mix of wax polish and water and creeps into gaps to seal them. Also means that winter dirt sticks to this rather than the paintwork and is easily washed off at the start of the season.
Mix 1:4 with water and liberally spray on with a garden sprayer.
(spraying)
If you decide to use the camper over winter, there’s no need to wash it off, just wash down the windows and away you go.
Winter Storage Precautions
So, the nights are drawing in and we’ve had the first frost. So for those of you who don’t plan using your demountable over the winter months it’s time to begin the winterizing process. Unless you are lucky enough to have a nice heated indoor storage, then there are a few things to deal with.
Frozen pipes, pumps and taps are pretty expensive to fix, and even a partial freeze could stress a hidden pipe joint just ready to spring a leak in an awkward place next season.
So first step is to completely drain the water tank.
Open the filler aperture to allow free flow of air, then find the dump valve.
Some DIY systems may not have one, so bail the tank out from the inspection hatch.
Then to clear every drop from the system, try to blow the lines through with a compressor.
Leave all the taps open so any trapped water doesn’t freeze.
,,,and put the shower head in the sink with the valve held open with an elastic band, or remove the shower head
Next drain down the toilet flush tank (if separate)
Open the rubber bung in the cassette hatch.
Once empty, put the cassette back, then run the flush (electric or manual) to clear the last water. Empty the cassette then return to its housing and put a little toilet blue in the bottom.
If you have Alde ‘wet’ heating then this may need attention as some of the feed pipes run close to the access hatch and could freeze. I keep my camper at home so instead of draining down I run the heating on low if it’s likely to be below freezing for a few days. If your camper is stored in a storage facility, then drain it down.
If you plan to run the heating, this is a good time to check the water level..
Top up above the MIN mark if low.
If you need to drain down, locate the dump valve in the service hatch.
If you don’t have a storage barn or other hard cover you may prefer to fit a camper cover from one of the many cover makers.
Simple Fiamma ‘tarp’ type cover
Fitted camper cover
Until my camper car port is built, then it’s got to live out in the elements, so it’s time to protect the outside.
This type of ‘winter coat’ product from various manufacturers works well enough,
it’s like a mix of wax polish and water and creeps into gaps to seal them. Also means that winter dirt sticks to this rather than the paintwork and is easily washed off at the start of the season.
Mix 1:4 with water and liberally spray on with a garden sprayer.
(spraying)
If you decide to use the camper over winter, there’s no need to wash it off, just wash down the windows and away you go.