Are you more of a holiday type of traveller? If you're going to winterize your caravan or motorhome, we have some useful tips on how to winterize it properly.

1. Get rid of any water in the car

This is because water can damage the pipework in cold temperatures. The first thing to do is to drain the central tank. Next, open the valves on the individual hoses under the sink, on the toilet and in the bathroom. Then leave all the hot and cold water taps open until the water is out. To make absolutely sure that you don't have any water left in the system, special devices can be used to take care of this. A cheaper option is to blow air through the pipes. Drain the water from the flush tank. If necessary, you can have your waste system cleaned with a suitable product.

2. Clean it properly

It's a good idea to vacuum the whole caravan or motorhome before winter , especially under the sofa and other inaccessible areas. There is also no harm in dusting and disinfecting all surfaces. Proper ventilation is important. It is therefore a good idea to leave all cupboards open inside the caravan, and leave the fridge and oven doors slightly ajar. To prevent mould and unpleasant smells, you can place a dehumidifier inside the caravan. It also doesn't hurt to install a few mousetraps and use an anti-mouse product. Don't leave the screens drawn to relieve their springs. It is better to leave only the curtains drawn.

3. Clean all pillows and bedding

You can either place them in vacuum bags and leave them in the caravan or store them at home if you have the space.

4. Clean up all the food.

Clean up all food including tea, coffee, sugar, salt, or even leftover cereal. It's not a good idea to leave any food in the caravan, this could attract pests. Canned food should survive the winter with the caravan fine.

5. Don't forget to check the roadworthiness of the caravan

Go around the caravan from all sides and see if there is any damage anywhere. It could be a leaking seal or a damaged roof hatch. Clean the outside of the caravan or motorhome, including the roof. After washing, you can also apply a protective varnish. It is a good idea to lubricate all locks and seals with silicone oil. Turn off the gas. To be safe, you can remove the gas cylinders and place them in a dry place as far away from a potential fire as possible. Make sure the cylinders are properly tightened.

6. Check the correct tyre pressure

Tire pressure should always be within the parameters prescribed by the manufacturer. To lighten the point load, it is a good idea not to leave the caravan standing still but to give it a gentle push from time to time. You can completely relieve your tyres if you lift the caravan with a hoist so that the tyres do not touch the ground at all. Here it is important to make sure that the caravan is placed on a completely flat surface. Lock the wheels and do not apply the handbrake. This will relieve important mechanical parts of the caravan.

7. Remove the battery

Remove the battery and place it in a dry room temperature environment, the cold could irreparably damage your battery. It is also a good idea to plug in and recharge your battery from time to time, inactivity could also damage it.

8. Put the car in a garage or under a shelter

The last tip is to place the caravan under a shed, in a garage, or use a tarp. This must be sufficiently breathable. It is always a good idea to check the caravan regularly over the winter.