Top 7 Tips on How to Store and Prolong the Life of Your Caravan

Caravanning is a popular recreational activity enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Taking to the open road in a caravan or camper delivers an incredible sense of adventure and independence. 

As much as you enjoy driving your caravan on the open road, chances are you won't be able to do it year-round. Whether or not your caravan sees a lot of use throughout the year, you'll want to preserve its quality and longevity. In this article, we will be going over our top 7 tips on how to store and prolong the life of your caravan! 

• Find the right storage facility

A garage is not always the best location for your mobile home. Even if you have a large enough space in your house, your caravan will be exposed to any inclement weather that passes through your area. If you have sufficient space that can cover your caravan and keep it safe, you can significantly extend the life of your van. If you want to keep your favourite mobile home safe and secure, consider caravan storage to protect it from the elements, theft, and degradation. Your caravan is an investment that will provide you with lifelong memories and incredible adventures, so you have to do your part to take care of it as well.

• Make sure to keep it covered

If you decide on storing your caravan at home, the most critical factor is to keep it covered whenever you know you won't be taking it on a trip for a long period of time. Purchasing a cover or a temporary carport to park your caravan is one of the best decisions you can make. This can prevent paint-destroying bird mess, falling leaves, and tree branches from ruining the exterior of your caravan. Additionally, covers are reasonably priced and will prevent the sun from penetrating your caravan's windows and causing damage to the furniture. Furthermore, a caravan cover is more cost-effective than a storage container if you can afford it.

• Drain all the unused water

Any water remaining in your caravan after weeks or months of storage is a potential home for algae and potentially other toxic organisms, so dispose of it completely. Unused water stored for months will become unfit to drink, so leaving it alone will turn into a large inconvenience in the future. You must inspect and drain your reservoir, including the toilet cassette and flush tank. Once finished, let them dry for a few hours to prevent insects from entering and creating colonies inside your caravan.

• Prevent mould by removing leftover food

You should also clean out all the food in your caravan and wipe down the refrigerator and furniture in your caravan before storing it for the offseason. One effective method is to thoroughly scrub every closet in the van and inspect every nook and corner. Failure to do so will introduce rats, cockroaches, ants, and other pests inside your caravan. Additionally, it would help if you left the door slightly open on your cleaned and dry refrigerator to prevent mould growth or odours. Mould is the biggest nightmare of caravan owners, and prevention is always better than the cure.

• Take your caravan for a drive if it’s been stored too long

If your caravan is left unattended for an extended period, it might be detrimental to the important components that allow you to drive it. For example, this might permanently destroy the batteries,  and this type of damage is twice more likely if your van has not been maintained or cleaned. Unlike your regular car, new batteries for a caravan can be costly, so preventing this issue can save you a lot of money. 

A simple preventative measure is to show your caravan some love by taking it on the road for a short trip. Heating up the engine and utilising the battery can help prevent their deterioration. Additionally, we recommend that idle batteries be connected to a certified battery management system or charger to avoid this circumstance. Before embarking on a lengthy journey, we recommend getting your battery inspected to verify it retains charge.

• Clean the exterior as well

While cleaning the interior is critical for the longevity of your RV, don't forget about cleaning the exterior too. Allow plenty of time to clean your caravan thoroughly. Eliminate dust, mud, grime, and anything else that can cause damage to your caravan when left unattended. You can also maintain the appearance of its paint by using specialised cleaning agents. Another useful method to increase your caravan's lifespan is by lubricating the hitches, applying wax to the caravan, and using a rust-proofer. 

• Give it proper maintenance before storing

If you feel something is off in your caravan, give your local mechanic a call if you plan on placing your RV in storage. Taking care of your van's problems as soon as they arise might save you money and time in the long run. Early identification of needed repairs could also avoid the emergence of other issues. Before placing your caravan into storage, please turn off all of your electronic devices that could drain its battery, such as GPSs, digital clocks, satellite tracking systems, and refrigerators. 

Final thoughts

Make sure your joyride caravan is safe and secure by following these tips that we provided. It will take some time and consistent work to keep it safe from vandalism, theft, deterioration and other harsh elements, but it will be well worth it in the long run. Knowing your caravan is well preserved can help you start dreaming about your future adventures!