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Hints and Tips Please select from below
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Winter Storage
Some hints and tips on the winter storage of your caravan |
So the summer touring done and its time to say goodnight to your friend for the duration. Storing your van correctly is a must especially in our harsh winter conditions, do it right and your Easter start-up will be fine, Get it wrong and you are in for a torrid start to what should be a perfect start to the years touring. Hopefully I can give you some hints and tips that will prevent New Year disasters.
1.Drainage: ALL ONBOARD PIPES AND WATER SYSTEMS SHOULD BE DRAINED COMPLTLEY OF WATER the only alternative to this rule is when your caravan dealer and/or heating appliance manufacturer advises against it. I have always drained and left the plugs out during winter (please remember where you stored them)
2.Wheels: It's a good idea to place your van on axle stands, thus removing the weight from the suspension and giving it a rest so to speak, but more important, it takes the weight off the road tyres there fore alleviating the flat spot, wall damage and possible tyre renewal in the new year Just do a check with your insurance company both van and household to ensure you are covered DON'T LEAVE THE VAN ON THE CORNER STANDS
3.Interior: It's a good idea to remove bedding etc during the winter months, and remember the seating and upholstery need air in order to stop them getting damp and musty, Its also advisable to keep the fridge door ajar for the same reason, a good idea on a fine fresh day is to open the van and stand the upholstery on end, leaving the door ajar for a couple of hours, this way you can check for any damp spots at the same time. Curtains leave them open , It helps to air the van, don't worry about fading as this should not be a problem
4.Electrics: It's of no use just disconnecting the wiring relay and letting it hang there during the winter months, you're asking for trouble. Simply spray the unit in a good preservative and then seal with a plastic bag by wrapping or tying the end, this should stop any rust forming and short circuits, but do give it another spray and check the contacts on a free day.
5.Coverage: My own experiences have taught me NOT TO COVER MY VAN in order to try and keep the weather out. Condensation and mould growth became abundant and the scratches were beyond belief. My best storage area was a farmer's huge lofty barn. But always remember to use a security device remembering the poor farmer may need to move your van in an emergency, so check with him before you fit them and take the keys to any locks away with you.
Winter Security: Lock the coupling head into a cover with a hitch lock if possible, if your van is not on stands for the winter consider using lock nuts on the caravan wheels. If you can, use wheel clamps - everyone knows how well they can keep a vehicle stationary!
Gas cylinders are always an inviting target to a thief.
Padlock them to the fixing bracket on older caravans so they can't be removed,
and keep gas compartments locked on newer models.
Fit an alarm. You can get one from any DIY store. Fit a time switch. If you're out after dark, lights on in your caravan will make it look occupied and can deter opportunist thieves.
Remember: your caravan is even more vulnerable when not in use or at home. Caravans left on sites even over winter, for example, are targets for thieves. If you are choosing a storage site don't just look at the price. Check to see that it offers good security. If you are a member of the Caravan Club, your touring caravan will automatically be logged on the club's security register. This enables the club to liaise with the police and dealers rapidly should a theft occur. It also helps to authenticate ownership if your caravan is stolen then recovered. You can write to the Caravan Club, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA. Tel: 01342 326944
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Make those windows sparkle
A Tip for sparkling and clean windows,
Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar into 1 pint of water, using the mix take a lint free cloth and wash windows, ensure the glass does not dry out and whilst still wet, take a sheet of newspaper, make into a pad, and start to dry off, continue to buff with newspaper until dry, if paper starts to disintegrate simply throw away and continue drying with a new sheet. If the glass dries off before you have finished drying it, simply wet it again. Result: sparkling shiny and clean windows.
Spectacles
Clean your spectacles courtesy of Macdonald's, Kentucky, and many more.
Its surprising just what you throw a way after you have had a meal at one of the above establishments or similar. In many of these fast food outlets one always ends up with extra sugar, milk, and wipes etc. don't throw the wipes away! keep them, put them in your glove box, no doubt you already do! but these make excellent spectacle cleaners
simply ensure you dry them off with a dry clean tissue or similar.
Result: Sparkling clean Spectacles.
Keep Your Windscreen Clean and Frost Free
Do you have to leave your car outside overnight in the winter
Combine 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water and cover the windows with this solution.
Result: frost free and clean windows
Chrome - Silverware - China
Without the use of chemical cleaners
Simply wet the item to be cleaned
sprinkle with table salt and rub to a gleam, rinse with clean water
Ideal for all silverware and chrome especially tea stained cutlery
can also be used for china cups and mugs that always seem to accumulate
those tea stains in the bottom
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Towing with an Automatic
Are you towing your unit with a vehicle using automatic transmission?
If so the following advice could save you a fortune.
Invest in a new Oil Cooler
The worst thing you can do with any automatic is tow a caravan without first fitting the extra oil cooler, and I don't care what the manufacturer says. No doubt they will say in their handbooks that providing you use all the auto gears when towing
(D2.D3 etc) you are perfectly safe!, you are most definitely not safe,
pull without first investing in a new oil cooler could cost you a fortune in gearbox repairs, because the heat generated by towing, and especially if you use D1 a lot,
can and most likely will, cause you gearbox trouble in the future.
I have known autos to burn out after only 50.000 miles, so do your self a favour,
get the box checked and
INVEST IN A NEW OIL COOLER.
It's a mere pittance of an investment and is a good way cheaper than a new automatic gearbox or repair. I found out the hard way.
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Afore Ye go
A selection of vital checks you should make.
All Items carried in the van must be stored securely, Should you carry heavy items (E.g. Awning) its a good idea to carry this and other heavy items over the axle. The one thing you should not do is carry heavy items in the overhead cupboards.
Make certain the cupboard doors are securely closed, if not you could find their contents all over the van after your journey
All seating cushions etc are secure and stored correctly.
All roof lights and windows are shut and locked, if not they could fly open and even rip off.
If you have a table and most of us do, please make sure it is securely fastened, normally manufacturers have a special area where it is stored, please use it, if you don't you risk major damage to the interior should it break free
Check the fridge is on 12v operation and door is secured in the lock position
Curtains should be left open.
Gas cylinders are turned off. Ensure compartment doors are secure
Battery is secure. Ensure compartment doors are secure
Ensure the tyre pressure is correct and the tyres are in good condition, make sure the wheel nuts are tight, you will be surprised how many wheels have come off because owners where sure they were tight and hadn't bothered to check them
Check the handbrake, jockey wheel and corner steadies are ok and easy to wind up and down.
Ensure the jockey wheel and steadies are in the up position before you set off,
(Yes people do forget about them)
Immediately you are hitched, double check the locking mechanism to ensure it is seated and engaged. (Don't be frightened of giving this one hell of a pull)
make sure the breakaway cable is secured correctly to the Tow bar and not the ball.
If you have a stabiliser, use it; they do help prevent snaking, If you don't have one then make it a priority to purchase one.
Ensure all electric plugs are connected and secure, on the caravan check the indicators, stop lights, side light etc, are working. If there is a fault investigate before you commence your journey.
Check and adjust all mirrors, don't forget to release the van handbrake if you have
not already done so.
Safe Journey
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Caravanning with SKY
A few points about taking Sky TV Caravanning with you.
The Sky mini dish needs to be aligned very accurately.
A simple signal meter can be bought for under £20 and makes life easy.
And remember 2 things:
1-The dish will work on it's back on the ground with it's feed arm and LNB up in the air.
Handy if you have no pole to mount it on.
2-And also remember that the dish will work inside your caravan pointing through a glass window and carefully aligned of course. Handy if dishes are not allowed on site.
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Driving abroad especially the USA
If you still retain the old paper driving licence and intend driving abroad
especially the USA then you need to apply for the new Photo License
the old one will not be acceptable |
Got a Leisure Battery
If you use or own a leisure battery then the one thing you should not do is
to let it go flat. By all means when not in use remove it from charge every
month or so but take care you don't allow the battery to discharge completely
this is a sure way to shorten its life and and you will without doubt reduce its effiency |
Got Indigestion
For emergency Relief
Buy the juiciest chewing gum at the nearest store/petrol station
The juicier the better, no its not the gum, but the saliva that
is made, its the natural remedy for heartburn
Try it! it really works!
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