Winter storage is the most demanding test a leisure vehicle faces in a UK year. Frost, damp, wind and the long stretch of disuse together cause more problems than the rest of the year combined. The good news is that the steps to avoid those problems are well understood and not particularly complicated.
This is the short version of the checklist — the things that genuinely matter, in the order most people work through them.
Two Weeks Before
Plan the storage logistics. If you are using a paid storage site, confirm your pitch and access arrangement. If you are moving the vehicle to storage on a particular day, check you can get on site that day.
Book a service if it is due. Caravans and motorhomes have annual service intervals. Catching the service before storage means small issues get found and fixed before they sit unattended for months.
Empty the food cupboards. Not on the day — give yourself two weeks to use up perishables and tinned goods rather than throwing them away.
One Week Before
Wash the exterior thoroughly. Road grime, sap and bird mess become corrosive over months. Use a proper caravan shampoo. Dry off seals and rooflights afterwards.
Inspect every seal with a torch. Hairline cracks become winter damp problems. Touch up with caravan sealant now rather than discovering the leak in March.
Check the awning rail and storage lockers for any moisture or organic debris that needs cleaning out.
Drying Out
This is the step most often skipped, and it is the most important one for damp control:
- Open every cupboard, locker and drawer
- Lift seat cushions and stand them on edge
- Fold blankets and bedding loosely or take them home
- Open the fridge door and prop it ajar (most fridges have a built-in winter prop position)
- Open the oven door slightly
- Open bathroom cabinet doors
The aim is to allow air to circulate everywhere. Sealed cupboards with even slightly damp interiors become mildew incubators by spring.
Water System
Standing water is the single biggest cause of winter damage. The fix is straightforward:
- Open all hot and cold taps
- Open the under-floor drain valves
- Empty the water heater fully
- Empty the toilet flush tank and the cassette
- Apply toilet seal lubricant
- Run the pump briefly to clear any residual water
- Leave taps in the open position
Properly drained, your water system will tolerate a UK winter without issue.
Battery Plan
You have three sensible choices:
- Take the battery home and trickle-charge monthly (the most reliable option for traditional lead-acid batteries)
- Leave it on a maintenance charger on site (only viable if your site has hookups)
- Fully charge, disconnect both terminals, leave it in place (acceptable for shorter winters, marginal for full winter)
Lithium batteries usually prefer storage at around 50–60% charge — check your battery's manual.
Whichever you choose, write yourself a calendar reminder for monthly checks.
Tyres
Caravan tyres develop flat spots if a vehicle sits in one position for months on end:
- Over-inflate by about 10% (within the maximum on the sidewall) before storage
- For very long storage, consider chocking the wheels off the ground entirely
- Check the tyre date stamps — caravan tyres age out before they wear out (5–7 years is typical)
- Fit your wheel locks before walking away
Gas
- Turn off all gas at the cylinder
- If your site requires it, disconnect regulator hoses
- Never leave gas valves open even if cylinders are off
- Make a note for spring of when the gas system was last properly leak-tested
Final Walk-Around
Before locking up:
- Doors and windows shut and locked
- Roof vents closed but not sealed (some airflow is good)
- Hitch lock fitted
- Wheel lock fitted
- Gas off
- Electrics off at the master switch
- Master switch position noted in your phone
- Photos taken (timestamp them — useful as a baseline if anything happens)
Then check it once more. Storage day is when small mistakes turn into spring problems.
Mid-Winter Visit (Recommended)
If your site allows it, make one mid-winter visit:
- Check for damp inside (smell test is surprisingly effective)
- Check the moisture absorbers in the cabin and replace if full
- Walk around the outside looking for new seal damage
- Check tyre pressures
- If batteries are on site, check the charger is still working
A 30-minute visit in February prevents most spring nasty surprises.
Spring Re-commissioning
Worth flagging: when you collect in spring, do not just hitch up and drive away.
- Refill the water system slowly and check for leaks
- Reconnect the battery and check it has held charge
- Check tyre pressures (and lower from the over-inflated storage pressure)
- Look inside thoroughly for any signs of damp
- Run the gas system through a leak test before first use
- Walk around the outside checking seals one more time
A vehicle that has sat for six months deserves an hour of attention before it sees the road. That hour is the difference between a smooth first trip of the year and a roadside disappointment.