September 2024 Poll Reveal - Caravans

In the last Club Safety and Security newsletter we asked you to tell us about your ‘must do’ activities at the end of the season.

Here’s a summary of the responses we received, which we hope will help you and your fellow caravanners be better prepared for the winter and the following season.

We were delighted to find that well over 50% of caravan owners who responded told us there is no ‘end of season’ for them, and that caravanning is a year-round pleasure!

For those who were more likely to store their caravans over winter, the overwhelming piece of advice was to remember to drain down all the water - pipes, heaters, toilet flush etc. One respondent told us: “We bought a drain down kit and were amazed at the extra water we removed.”

Other key considerations that received multiple mentions were:

• Empty the caravan of all perishable items, checking fridges and cupboards.
• Make sure all vents are unblocked.
• Deep clean and sanitise all surfaces, especially the kitchen area, shower and toilets.
• Place a few dehumidifiers or moisture absorbers throughout the caravan.
• Clean and lubricate window seal rubbers.
• If your van’s in storage, don’t ignore it for the winter - pop back and check everything’s OK at least once a month - particularly in freezing weather.

And, if you want to start a checklist of jobs, this was one respondent’s marvellously comprehensive Must Do list. 

“I keep my caravan on a storage site not far from home. When I have returned it for the winter, I empty it of all the kitchen utensils etc. and take the soft fabrics home. I take the aqua roll, the waste water and toilet tanks, plus the hosepipe for cleaning. I clean the interior and later in the storage period, I clean the exterior of the caravan. I take the leisure battery home and have it on a 'drip charger' to keep it topped up. I also do a regular check of the tyre pressures. I visit the caravan once a month to check that everything is okay, in particular after heavy bouts of rain or wind. I also keep dehumidifier tubs in the caravan and replace these on a regular basis.”

Get your outfit ready for the new season

We also asked for your hints and tips for when you wish to get your outfit 'season-ready' again. Some of the more popular and interesting responses were:

• ‘Air out’ the inside and sanitise everything.
• Cleanse the water system with steriliser and refill; check the operation of all appliances and utilities both on electricity and gas where appropriate.
• Check your tyres - and while you’re down there, check your wheel nut torques.
• Consider a single-night stay at a nearby site, so that any issues that may arise don’t do so when you’re two days - and 200 miles - away from home.

And perhaps the most obvious - but often not mentioned - item: make sure you have your caravan serviced once a year.

Finally, don’t forget there’s heaps of helpful info about taking care of your outfit on the Advice and training section of our website.