Keeping the Caravan on the drive over winter...

 .... and I can afford the extra leccy. .....

but what about the planet? 

The planet is old enough and big enough to look after itself. 

I do it slightly diferently (Surprise)

I drain down properly, set bedding on end and open all locker doors. Unlike some, I do heat the caravan.

I use an oil filled radiator set at 10 C and just leave it on. When we get a nice day, (even if cold) I will open some windows, the roof vents and leave the door open to get ventilation through the caravan. Obviously I turn off the radiator during this time. At some point during the day I close everything and put the radiator back on.

I know some just rely on the ventilation to keep mould and damp away but because air can retain moisture better at higher temperatures I never see moisture on the hard surfaces and the soft furnishings never feel cold and damp.

Works for me, been doing it like this for a long time and I can afford the extra leccy.

By the way, I also have a weather station and put an extra sensor in the caravan so I can see the numbers from inside the house.

We also keep the heating on low, It was put on yesterday and will stay on 8deg  untill 2 days before we go away at xmas. it will then be put on 16 to get the cold out of the walls and furniture.

Curtains are closed to save the blind springs, cupboard doors left on a jar along with the fridge door, water drained with taps in middle open to allow for expansion incase of frost.

We have done this for the past 4 years and never had a problem. It may cost a few pennies but hey ho

Kev

Interesting stuff. Plenty of knowledge out there. Seems to be 'To heat or not to heat'. Will release the springs this weekend and draw the curtains over. Think the axle stands make sense to save the tyres although the al-ko jacking points arent that clear and require after market purchase. Watched a few YouTube clips and you can lift on the axle behind part of the frame. Looks packed with danger on a gravel driveway!! I will take the shower head off too!

Beware using none standard heating. At least one insurer excludes this.

I do it slightly diferently (Surprise)

I drain down properly, set bedding on end and open all locker doors. Unlike some, I do heat the caravan.

I use an oil filled radiator set at 10 C and just leave it on. When we get a nice day, (even if cold) I will open some windows, the roof vents and leave the door open to get ventilation through the caravan. Obviously I turn off the radiator during this time. At some point during the day I close everything and put the radiator back on.

I know some just rely on the ventilation to keep mould and damp away but because air can retain moisture better at higher temperatures I never see moisture on the hard surfaces and the soft furnishings never feel cold and damp.

Works for me, been doing it like this for a long time and I can afford the extra leccy.

By the way, I also have a weather station and put an extra sensor in the caravan so I can see the numbers from inside the house.

We also keep the heating on low, It was put on yesterday and will stay on 8deg  untill 2 days before we go away at xmas. it will then be put on 16 to get the cold out of the walls and furniture.

Curtains are closed to save the blind springs, cupboard doors left on a jar along with the fridge door, water drained with taps in middle open to allow for expansion incase of frost.

We have done this for the past 4 years and never had a problem. It may cost a few pennies but hey ho

Kev

No heating on ours yet. WE go away mid December for 15 nights. If temeperature drops I will put Alde on to 5C.

A few days before we go away I will turn heating up to 20C and switch Fridge on.

We open all cupboards and remove the cushions and store them indoors if you have room. If not just make sure that they are away from the sides. We use a fan heater set at 8c and leave it do it's thing. Never had a problem. And of course make sure there is no water in the system or in three toilet. As the caravan is on our drive we can keep a check on it every couple of days. Wash it every couple of weeks to keep it clean and on a nice day open the window's to get some air in it.

No mention of winter wheels?  I replace wheels with winter wheels, store wheels in shed, dual purpose achieved, no pressure on tyres, no uv damage. Plus it's hard to steal a van with no wheels. 

I keep my van in storage ( undercover) during winter months. I keep the curtains closed and I have drained the water down but I forgot to drain the cistern down so that one job to be done this weekend. I think I will be bringing home the seating and store them in the spare bedroom. Any advise on the wheels? I do have a couple of boards! Would that be ok to put under the tyres to get them off the ground?

It's not the ground per se that's the problem. It's the load on the tyres in one place for a prolonged period.