When to Winterise?

[FEC]

Morning Funsters, Apologies if this has been asked before, or is common knowledge -but I was wondering if there is any consensus on when to winterize the MH. For context, ours is kept in storage and we normally don't use it much after November. We know the procedure for doing this but I was wondering about timing...there could be some cold nights in October and there will be water in the boiler so do folks just keep their eye on the forecast and hop to it if there is a cold snap? Or wait till we are in the full teeth of winter in December before doing this (assuming they don't keep using the MH during the colder months obvs). I know this will largely depend on how we all use the MH, but for those who still use it in Oct/Nov, do you bother winterizing the van as a precaution in Oct even though you know you will use it periodically and will have to reverse the process?
Would be interested to hear the wise counsel of more experienced funsters as we have only been through one season of MHing so far. Thanks

 

[roxburd]

This is my first winter with the van so perhaps I'm a bit paranoid but I already drained all water and set the heating to 10 degrees. Our van is also in storage - so remote from us and running on LPG.
I also bought a data logger that logs the temperature and humidity every 10 minutes. It produces graphs so I can easily see how high the humidity is getting 24x7. I'm aiming to keep it below about 80% to avoid any condensation forming.

 

[Pedro Pallent]

Morning Funsters, Apologies if this has been asked before, or is common knowledge -but I was wondering if there is any consensus on when to winterize the MH. For context, ours is kept in storage and we normally don't use it much after November. We know the procedure for doing this but I was wondering about timing...there could be some cold nights in October and there will be water in the boiler so do folks just keep their eye on the forecast and hop to it if there is a cold snap? Or wait till we are in the full teeth of winter in December before doing this (assuming they don't keep using the MH during the colder months obvs). I know this will largely depend on how we all use the MH, but for those who still use it in Oct/Nov, do you bother winterizing the van as a precaution in Oct even though you know you will use it periodically and will have to reverse the process?
Would be interested to hear the wise counsel of more experienced funsters as we have only been through one season of MHing so far. Thanks

Most modern day motorhomes are fitted with tank heaters to avoid freezing, I know mine has; and we use our Kontiki all year round

 

[Spriddler]

I also bought a data logger that logs the temperature and humidity every 10 minutes. It produces graphs so I can easily see how high the humidity is getting 24x7. I'm aiming to keep it below about 80% to avoid any condensation forming.

Don't overdo the Prozac.

 

[jess12]

Morning Funsters, Apologies if this has been asked before, or is common knowledge -but I was wondering if there is any consensus on when to winterize the MH. For context, ours is kept in storage and we normally don't use it much after November. We know the procedure for doing this but I was wondering about timing...there could be some cold nights in October and there will be water in the boiler so do folks just keep their eye on the forecast and hop to it if there is a cold snap? Or wait till we are in the full teeth of winter in December before doing this (assuming they don't keep using the MH during the colder months obvs). I know this will largely depend on how we all use the MH, but for those who still use it in Oct/Nov, do you bother winterizing the van as a precaution in Oct even though you know you will use it periodically and will have to reverse the process?
Would be interested to hear the wise counsel of more experienced funsters as we have only been through one season of MHing so far. Thanks

This time of year i drain everthing at the end of each trip if on site with grey water grid drop grey water fresh water and flick the switch to drain boiler leave internal taps open and hopefully the drivr home shakes any water out rather be safe than sorry

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[CAB96]

This is my first winter with the van so perhaps I'm a bit paranoid but I already drained all water and set the heating to 10 degrees. Our van is also in storage - so remote from us and running on LPG.
I also bought a data logger that logs the temperature and humidity every 10 minutes. It produces graphs so I can easily see how high the humidity is getting 24x7. I'm aiming to keep it below about 80% to avoid any condensation forming.

Do the Storage Site allow you to run gas heating? Seems a bit excessive, not to mention a risk to the other units.

 

[roxburd]

Do the Storage Site allow you to run gas heating? Seems a bit excessive, not to mention a risk to the other units.

Excessive! Oh... well, the guy I bought the van from said he kept the heating on all over winter but powered via hook-up to his house.

With being new to motor-homing and that being the only guidance I've had on the subject, I assumed that was standard practice.

Some posts here talk about opening doors/windows on warm days but I can't as the van is stored remote.

I would prefer to use mains as power source as it's slightly better, environmentally. But it's not an option.

So that's why I've read and posted to this thread - to find out what I need to do to avoid any damage over winter.

As I've said elsewhere, I'm monitoring the humidity so I'll be ramping the heating down as much as possible, ideally turning it off altogether.

 

[Barbie and Ken]

Drain down and open taps and shower; if there is residual water, it will come out rather than block up with ice and break something. One could manually turn the frost valve on the boiler but mine certainly does the job itself for that small drop of water that remains.

We take bedding home, everything else is left inside but in a position that will enable air to circulate around, so pretty much scattered about the place. Lockers open and beds and benches lifted up, again to enable good airflow (although this might be unnecessary).

Fridge and freezer doors opened too of course

Absolutely, so long as the weather permits, go on the monthly 30min drive. Keep the revs up to get the temperature up quickly.

I've pretty much done all of the above and will double-check this weekend as I need to fix a few bits plus, a) it is starting to get colder and b) we have decided that for this year we have other plans so we are unlikely to use the Moho until next year.

I drain the water tank every time MH going to be unused for more than two or three weeks, to keep the water fresh - is that unnecessary?

We do the same

 

[Jim]

the guy I bought the van from said he kept the heating on all over winter but powered via hook-up to his house.

Plenty do leave heating on, but there really is no need. As long as you've drained down, and left your taps open, you should be OK. Even if you heat the van, some pipes will still be at risk if not drained down.

Over winter, almost every van in the land, along with 12,000 motorhomes on dealers forecourts, will be unheated. You'll get no benefit at all from burning all that gas

 

[PhilipLh]

We do the same

I also drain everything down if not using the van for a couple of weeks or more. stagnant water can easily grow algae in the pipes or tank and we use the onboard water for brushing teeth, showering etc as well as tea and coffee. I bought a Floe induratec which does a brilliant job of fully emptying all the pipes with minimal effort and keeps the whole system clean. prevents any stagnant water/algae as well as guaranteeing no frost damage. i usually get at least a litre and a half of water out after I have tried all other methods of emptying it out!

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[nicholsong]

Our only winterisi b is drainvg water ; don't forget the shower head.

All bedding and cushions stay onboard as the MH is well dry And insulated,

 

[Jerrywh]

I empty all the water out, every last drop, each time I get home, and trip the frost valve.
Refilling is a five minute job and imo fresh water should be fresh...

 

[roxburd]

Just realised why it is that I'm paranoid about damp - I laid my daughter's Fiesta up over winter last year. I bunged up the exhaust pipe to stop damp/critters up the exhaust, removed the battery, etc, etc. I also put several of those dehumidifying tubs in the car.
In the spring the thing was a major health hazard. I put the seat belt on and it laid a thick strip of mould spores right across my chest. It was really terrible. The whole car was damp and mouldy but the enclosure where the seat belt is hidden as it approaches the winder was the worst area - thick with masses of actively growing mould.
I'm keen to not experience that same thing in the MH.
But it sounds like it's not likely from all the posts here. I don't know why that would be as vans have very similar moisture entry points as a car...

 

[j8snl]

Morning Funsters, Apologies if this has been asked before, or is common knowledge -but I was wondering if there is any consensus on when to winterize the MH. For context, ours is kept in storage and we normally don't use it much after November. We know the procedure for doing this but I was wondering about timing...there could be some cold nights in October and there will be water in the boiler so do folks just keep their eye on the forecast and hop to it if there is a cold snap? Or wait till we are in the full teeth of winter in December before doing this (assuming they don't keep using the MH during the colder months obvs). I know this will largely depend on how we all use the MH, but for those who still use it in Oct/Nov, do you bother winterizing the van as a precaution in Oct even though you know you will use it periodically and will have to reverse the process?
Would be interested to hear the wise counsel of more experienced funsters as we have only been through one season of MHing so far. Thanks

We use ours 12 months per year but when in winter (living in Scotland) we generally drain the boiler and water after every trip from late October through Spring.

The weather forecast is never right so I prefer to take the 10 mins drain down and refill over any risk.

We just came down from the highlands this past week on Wednesday but were leaving again Saturday and I though it’ll be fine. But one night at 3c on the Thursday dumped the water from the heater.

Jason

 

[Clive Bishop]

Morning Funsters, Apologies if this has been asked before, or is common knowledge -but I was wondering if there is any consensus on when to winterize the MH. For context, ours is kept in storage and we normally don't use it much after November. We know the procedure for doing this but I was wondering about timing...there could be some cold nights in October and there will be water in the boiler so do folks just keep their eye on the forecast and hop to it if there is a cold snap? Or wait till we are in the full teeth of winter in December before doing this (assuming they don't keep using the MH during the colder months obvs). I know this will largely depend on how we all use the MH, but for those who still use it in Oct/Nov, do you bother winterizing the van as a precaution in Oct even though you know you will use it periodically and will have to reverse the process?
Would be interested to hear the wise counsel of more experienced funsters as we have only been through one season of MHing so far. Thanks

If your boiler is like mine it will dump the water before freezing.

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[The Old Man]

If your boiler is like mine it will dump the water before freezing.

So does mine but I choose not to rely on it ans dump the water when the van returns to the site, even if in going away later in the week.

 

[buzz1]

Ref heating that a no for me .
Motorhome’s have good natural ventilation,
So should keep damp out,
Putting Heating on will cause damp I’m lead to believe ,
But everyone has there own methods I guess go with works for your van ,
Get a decent external cover for wind screen as that not double glassed and will cause condensation with heating on , when its cold air
Outside and warm air inside .

 

[zebedee2023]

Should the dump valves for fresh, grey and boiler be left open, or closed to keep wildlife out?

 

[The Old Man]

Should the dump valves for fresh, grey and boiler be left open, or closed to keep wildlife out?

I dump and close. Any wildlife may choose to enter if able, through the drain hole bur save eating the tank they still couldn't access the inside on the van.

But rationally, the damage they might do, droppings, breeding, dieing, worries me more.

Irrationally, on the storage site there is a small habitat lake and one of the residents according to the signs at the lake are warnings for snakes!!!!

I just don't fancy reaching onto my fresh water tank and encountering a snake!!!

 

[Spriddler]

Should the dump valves for fresh, grey and boiler be left open, or closed to keep wildlife out?

When I've drained mine I take it for a drive to hopefully let any remaining dregs slosh out then close the valves, but leave the 'indoor' taps open.

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[Gaston aires]

I “winterised” this weekend. If we use the van over the winter for short day trips we use bottled water, if for a late long weekend a refill is easy.
Phil upmetank

 

[Tonks]

With a tiddler van, getting winter ready is simple. Like Captain Yoghurtpot I've got a VW T5, but mine has a 60L underslung water tank which I empty by the time we start getting consecutive days of hard frosts. The internal hot water tank is emptied at the same time, although it's nicely snuggly fitted on board and is well insulated and very unlikely to freeze unless we have severe below freezing days. Sink tap is left open. Drain cover at the outside end of the drain hose is replaced (although this broke off a couple of years ago and has only just been replaced!).

I always carry a 10L container of fresh water on board anyway, so the only thing I miss when on the road over winter is the ability to turn on the tap and get hot water out of it, and even that is reliant on either EHU (usually not on EHU though) or the 12v heater working efficiently (which in my van it usually doesn't, despite being checked a number of times and apparently working fine). If I'm off for a couple of days and the forecast is mild, it's an easy job to part fill the underslung tank for the trip, and re-prime the system.

My van is kept about 18" from my front door, so I use it regularly through winter unless the weather is ghastly, which means the interior is regularly warmed up and aired. I never leave food in the van at any time of the year. I have a 'van crate' packed with tins etc which is always ready to go, so on a departure day I just pick that up and shove it in the van, along with fresh and chilled stuff. On the other hand I leave all my cushions and bedding in and the only time I ever had an issue was when some fabric was trapped in a door and wicked in rain from outside. That was a rather unpleasant night's sleep, avoiding the large wet patch of the bed! Oh, and I add the lovely long hot water bottle I was given for Christmas last year to my van bag, ready for use.