If you, like most motorhome owners in the UK, use your vehicle from spring to autumn, you are left with the question of where to store your motorhome when it is not in use, and particularly during the winter. Whilst storing your motorhome at your home address all year round may seem convenient with no direct cost attached, it is not the most secure option and could end up costing you even more in the long run.
So where should you store your motorhome?
If you choose not to keep your motorhome at your home during the winter months, you need to find suitable secure storage for your vehicle. Look for a site accredited by the Caravan Storage Site Owners Association (CaSSOA). Sites are rated from bronze to gold, with enhanced security and services at the gold level. Costs vary by rating and by location, but you can typically expect to pay between £300-£500 to store your motorhome for the winter. You can also arrange to store your motorhome for shorter periods.
Other options for storing your motorhome out of season include local campsites and farms, which are a great alternative if you’re looking for somewhere more local.
If you expect to want to use your motorhome from time to time, make sure you choose a site where you can access your vehicle regularly at times to suit you. Some sites offer access 24/7, while others will operate opening hours.
Additional services which you will find at some motorhome storage providers include waste and water disposal, air pressure, jet wash, and gas cylinders for sale, which is very helpful for keeping your motorhome in good condition during the colder months.
A key thing to remember when putting your motorhome in storage is to inform your insurance provider when utilising a storage site, to avoid going against your motorhome’s insurance policies. In some cases you may find that your insurance premium is reduced if you are storing your motorhome at a secure site over winter, which is particularly likely if you choose a CaSSOA-accredited site with a gold rating.
Wherever you choose to store your motorhome, ensure that you are fully satisfied with the adequate security measures at the location for your peace of mind. As well as this, consider the grounds of your storage space - it is important to keep your motorhome on a hard surface such as concrete through the winter, so look for a site where this is available.
Before putting your motorhome into storage, there are many essential ways you can prepare it to keep it in good condition, ready for holidays when spring arrives.
The first step in the process starts with carrying out a deep clean. This can involve removing all food from your motorhome, cleaning out cupboards and appliances, and vacuuming thoroughly to ensure all crumbs are removed. You should also clean the exterior of your vehicle too, as bird droppings can damage the paintwork if they are left for an extended period.
As well as this, it is important to clean out your motorhome’s water system. You can do this by flushing it through with water and bicarbonate of soda, or using a sterilising fluid, and drain it down. Also, you should open all taps in the motorhome including the shower, to allow both the hot water and cold water to drain out. Don’t forget to make sure the waste tank is also empty, and if you want to leave drain valves open for ventilation, make sure you prevent creatures from getting in by covering the outlets with mesh. For more advice and support on draining your vehicle’s water system, see our complete guide to winterising your motorhome with a range of tips to remember this winter.
When your motorhome is left unused for months, the battery can end up fully discharged, resulting in permanent damage and a reduction in its capacity. The same problem can apply to the leisure battery. Many manufacturers recommend disconnecting and removing the leisure battery and keeping it in a place where it can be charged intermittently. If a battery is fully disconnected but left in situ it will still lose charge over time. The simplest way you can keep your motorhome batteries charged, is by taking it for a drive at regular intervals so that the battery can recharge.
Another option is to have a solar panel installed on the roof of the motorhome. Provided it is a minimum of 40W it should provide adequate power to keep both batteries sufficiently charged through the winter. Check your vehicle manual before taking any steps to prepare your battery for storing your motorhome.
While it is not easy to keep damp at bay during the winter months, in order to maximise security, and to comply with the terms of many insurance policies, you will need to keep windows fully closed rather than in an ajar setting. The motorhome’s integral ventilation can help, but may not be adequate to avoid all accumulation of damp.
Before putting your motorhome into storage, you can use electric dehumidifiers to minimise the moisture inside. Once it is ready for laying up, place non-electric dehumidifiers inside and if possible replace these at regular intervals throughout the winter.
If you have space in your house to store the bed linen, towels and upholstery items such as seat backs and bases from your motorhome, it is a good idea to bring them in. They will stay in good condition for longer if they can be kept in a warm and dry environment.
You probably won’t want to take out the mattresses, but if you stand them on end, it will allow more air to flow around them and help to reduce the chances of damp building up.
Before tackling any gas-related jobs, it is important to make sure the engine and all items of electrical equipment are switched off. You can do this by closing all gas cylinder valves and disconnecting and replacing caps on any clip-on regulators.
You should also check with the motorhome storage location whether gas cylinders may be left in the gas storage compartment. If this is not permitted, you will need to find a secure and well-ventilated place to store them at home, such as an outbuilding or in a storage shelter outside.
Ideally, the motorhome storage location will be flat, in which case it is a matter of personal choice whether to use blocks to level the vehicle. If the site you have chosen happens to have a slope, then parking on blocks is recommended to level your motorhome.
As well as this, if your vehicle’s wheels are securely choked, then you may wish to release the parking brake. This will prevent the brakes seizing up over the winter and allow for easier driving when back on the spring roads.
Whether you store your motorhome in a storage site or at home over winter, it makes sense to use a robust wheel lock as well as a steering wheel lock. Caravan and motorhome storage facilities will usually have a wide range of security measures, including high perimeter fencing, padlocked gates and CCTV.
Your motorhome will generally be more secure at a storage location than on your drive as a result of this, however security standards can vary. Therefore, it is worth traveling a little further to a storage site where you are confident that your motorhome will be in safe hands.
If you are looking to purchase a motorhome for you and your family, Brownhills have some of the best new motorhomes and used motorhomes to buy. Whether you are a new motorhome owner or an experienced one, these useful tips and tricks can help you understand more about properly storing your motorhome to ensure your vehicle is safe, secure, and stays in a good condition for much longer.
