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

 

[David and Sally]

We use ours a lot. But when not in use we watch the forecasts but drain down if not sure. Just in case.

 

[Sdrawde]

Weather forecast modelling has gotten so good, you are almost guaranteed a 5 to 7 day notice of when freezing temperatures will be coming.
NB ; if your storage facility is in a valley in the countryside, temperatures will be considerably colder at night than the values given by whatever media you use.

 

[Spriddler]

I drained down my fresh and grey tanks last week as it's far quicker to refill them than replacing frost-damaged pipes and taps.
I upturn cushions, mattresses and remove bedding later when I'm unlikely to be be going out again before Spring, except for a fortnightly 20 to 30 miles run to rub any rust of the brake shoes/discs, keep the mechanicals 'loosened up' and have the tyres come to rest in a different position.

 

[Lenny HB]

Depends where you live, being in the south coast do it if we get a frost.
You being in Derby I would be thinking about it mid October.

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[jerryz]

Im off to Thailand on 15th Oct for 2 months so will drain it out now .... If i need it during the winter its easy to refill again as required

 

[FEC]

Weather forecast modelling has gotten so good, you are almost guaranteed a 5 to 7 day notice of when freezing temperatures will be coming.
NB ; if your storage facility is in a valley in the countryside, temperatures will be considerably colder at night than the values given by whatever media you use.

Thanks for this and a good point -our storage is in the countryside so that's defs a consideration -thanks duly noted

 

[FEC]

I drained down my fresh and grey tanks last week as it's far quicker to refill them than replacing frost-damaged pipes and taps.
I upturn cushions, mattresses and remove bedding later when I'm unlikely to be be going out again before Spring, except for a fortnightly 20 to 30 miles run to rub any rust of the brake shoes/discs, keep the mechanicals 'loosened up' and have the tyres come to rest in a different position.

Thanks and good to know that others are doing this now -wasn't sure if folks waited till later in the year but this makes a lot of sense -thanks for the feedback

 

[FEC]

Im off to Thailand on 15th Oct for 2 months so will drain it out now .... If i need it during the winter its easy to refill again as required

Thanks and yes it makes sense and I guess it is quick enough to do. We are having a few days away in the October half term and then will put it to bed properly -apart from the daily run outs to keep the mechanicals ticking over. I will keep my eye on the forecast in the meantime and drain down properly after our October jaunt. Thanks again

 

[Andacami]

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.

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[FrankNicklin]

We only winterise when not in use because of potential hard frosts and freezing conditions but we do use our MH all year round. Good idea to winterise from now on every time you are not using it. OUrs going back to storage after each use and completely drained down at this time of year.

 

[Reallyretired]

I always empty the water if in storage, even in good weather as it doesn't take long to fill up again. In Eastbourne we only had a couple of nights with frost last year but our storage is inland in the country and on high ground.

 

[FEC]

All good ideas -glad I asked as I think I'm late to the winterizing party -will keep my eye on the forecast and if it remains above freezing will do it in full after our October jaunt -likely the last major one before Christmas

 

[Badknee]

We don’t mess about with any of that malarkey ……… we go to Spain for the winter.


I know…

 

[hja]

We will not be away again this year so have just drained it this week and am in the process of the emptying of the inside which I use as an opportunity to get rid of anything not needed. If we were away later in October as we have sometimes been I would just be keeping an eye on the weather forcast and draining at any hint of frost. We are fortunate in that van is outside house, so easy to do.

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[Andacami]

I forgot, I also drain the toilet cistern. If your unit has such a thing suggest doing this too. I've a contraption to enable cistern drain, plus I ensure the pump runs dry as it's quite exposed being against the outside wall and it cracked a year or so ago due to ice I think.

 

[Spriddler]

We will not be away again this year so have just drained it this week and am in the process of the emptying of the inside which I use as an opportunity to get rid of anything not needed. If we were away later in October as we have sometimes been I would just be keeping an eye on the weather forcast and draining at any hint of frost. We are fortunate in that van is outside house, so easy to do.

Mine's also in my drive and on dry sunny days I have the hab door and windows open all the while I'm at home. I leave them open until the evening when the temp inside is the same as outside to avoid trapping the warmer more moist air inside. It has worked well for the past 11 years as not had a trace of interior condensation or damp.

 

[headlight]

I drained mine down last week even though we will go away in it at least 3-4 nights a month over winter.
Peace of mind and it doesn't take long to either drain down or refill.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Having now a VW Campervan rather than a Motorhome, with only cold fill from a 12ltr container and a Port-a-loo, draining down now is much simpler.
And when we come to go away for the odd day out or few nights during the winter it is so easy to refill the canister and loo.
But all are drained down again on return or emptied on site.
All other chattels other than bedding are left on board.
Makes days out use really easy.
Don't miss the draining down routine of the Motorhome though.

 

[AndyPK]

Same with our Devon Firefly, Captain Yoghurtpot !!

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Same with our Devon Firefly, Captain Yoghurtpot !!

Devon Firefly........nice van AndyPK .

 

[dunnah01]

Being a total pedant here but I thought winterizing was getting a Moho in a state where you could use it in winter conditions not putting it away for winter

 

[buzz1]

We drain everything down, as others have said easy to refill, remove all food including tin food . I’m very cautious of is mice getting in, we live in country side farms all round , we’ve had damage to cars due to mice.
So I place trap around outside van , and couple inside as well, and a biscuit in a visible location by door as an indicator if a mouse has been in .
Place outside traps in containers so you catch mice and not small birds etc . Don’t put any poison down for obvious reason .

 

[Barti Ddu]

Pleased to have drained everything down at the weekend after returning from our Scandinavian trip. Was only forecast to get down to 4⁰C in Pembrokeshire last night, but we've got thin sheets of ice on the motorhome roof this morning.

It's unusually cold for south west Wales in early October.

 

[Jim]

This might help.

WINTERISING YOUR MOTORHOME

Winterising your motorhome. This article will show you exactly how you prepare your motorhome for a winter layup.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[Sheddy]

Im off to Thailand on 15th Oct for 2 months so will drain it out now .... If i need it during the winter its easy to refill again as required

We are a day behind you but having a few weeks in Vietnam as well. The van is all drained and the taps left open, but it'll be refilled as soon as we get back ready for Spain after Xmas

 

[bigtwin]

Being a total pedant here but I thought winterizing was getting a Moho in a state where you could use it in winter conditions not putting it away for winter

You are, of course, entirely correct. This discussion is really about winter layup preparations.

Ian

 

[Jim]

Being a total pedant here but I thought winterizing was getting a Moho in a state where you could use it in winter conditions not putting it away for winter

If you use your van through the winter or lay it up, then getting it ready for either scenario could rightly be called winterising.

 

[Peter Clark]

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?

 

[Apacheman]

Normally do ours after Oct half term but we had a heavy frost this week so did it that morning. Depends on how far you want to go as to how long it takes. We use ours all year round so just do the basics, emptying hot and cold water, removing all food and pyramiding cushions and mattresses.