Winterizing your RV

​Whether you are looking to park up your RV for the whole winter or just for an extended period when you are unable to use it, we have put together this simple guide and checklist to help you with the process.

  
Batteries
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Battery life will depend on how you use and maintain your system

• Ensure terminals are clean and corrosion free
• Ensure terminals are properly tightened

Charge the battery if the voltage is below 12V

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Tip: If the vehicle remains immobilised for a long period, regularly check the battery charge and recharge when necessary.

How to recharge?
To recharge the battery, connect the vehicle to the 230 V mains supply for 24 to 48 hours.
Charging times may vary depending on how flat the battery is, should the battery be almost dead flat, charge times could be up to 48 hours.
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• Turn off the main 12 V switch on the control panel
• Switch off all appliances and lights

Tip: Make sure you check if the battery charger is a constant voltage charger or a smart charger!
Smart Charger – once the battery is fully charged the system automatically shuts down and charging stops.
Constant Voltage Charge – will continue to charge the battery at 13.5V until the 240 V power is disconnected.
Should you leave the 240V power plugged in for extended periods of time with no draw coming off the battery you will damage the battery.

Gas Bottles​
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All gas bottles have a pressure sensitive ball bearing fitted.
Should you have gas appliances turned on prior to opening the gas bottle, they will instantly try and draw gas from the bottle as you turn it on.
The pressure ball bearing will instantly lock in place, and this can interfere with the operating system. 

Please follow the instructions below when operating gas

• Ensure all components are switched off before turning the gas bottle off.
• Ensure all components are switched off before turning the gas bottle on.

Should you have activated the pressure sensitive ball bearing, you will need to turn off the gas bottle, turn off all components and wait five minutes.

Then slowly turn the gas bottle back on.
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Some operating systems and components may need resetting. You will need to refer to your manuals or contact your supplier for assistance.

Water Tanks

Fresh Tank

• Empty the fresh tank if possible
• Fill the fresh tank to 3/4

Pour one cup of bleach into the tank and let it sit for about 20 minutes.

• Empty fresh tank – depending on how the freshwater tanks are fitted you may simply be able to remove a bung, alternatively you will need to run the RV taps and discharge all fresh water through the grey water tank.
• Refill as before and let the liquids sit for about 10 minutes.
• Empty again and continue to empty and refill until you no longer smell the bleach.
• Once the bleach has been cleaned out, and you no longer smell it, you are finished.

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Tip: Remember to refill the fresh water tank with good water to 1/4 - 1/2 full after following the instructions above.

Grey Water Tank
There are several products designed to assist with cleaning grey water tanks and water pipes.
We recommend to use a product called Elemonate.

You simply place one Elemonate tablet over each plug hole in your RV and run the tap until the tablet is dissolved.
Ensure the grey water tank remains full for est. 20 minutes prior to emptying it.
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Tip: Toilet Chemical, Bleach or Baking Soda can also be used as an alternative.
Please note depending on where you are discharging your grey water you may need to be mindful of the products you use.

Toilet

If you have a flush water holding tank, ensure you never run the tank dry.
Ensure you are using a toilet chemical suitable for flush tanks to assist in keeping your pump lubricated.
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Tip: Aqua Chem Pink is a good product for this purpose.

• Flush the tank 2-3 times a month whilst your RV is not in use, this will help to prevent the pump from seizing.

Cassette and Toilet maintenance

Ensure you lubricate the seal on the underside of the toilet bowl.
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• Grease seal and waste holding tank blade

Tip: you need a silicone grease for the application.

• Check that there is no build-up of toilet paper or residue on the float level.

Tip: Rubber gloves are recommended for this job.
Whilst in storage, we recommend leaving the blade open to prevent damage to the blade and to loosen the cap of the pour out spout, which will ventilate the waste-holding tank. By leaving the blade open, you prevent the blade seal from drying out.

Fridge
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To prevent odours and mould in the refrigerator, keep doors open during storage.
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Tip: Most external doors are equipped with a storage lock.

Oven​

Turn on a gas hob and run once a month to prevent all the gas from leaving the pipes, this helps with starting the oven, boiler, and fridge on your first trip away after your RV’s hibernation.

Boiler/Water Heater​

Depending on your system you may have a quick release valve as part of the boiler set up.
If you do, it is essential, you check the valve prior to lighting your boiler for testing or your first time bringing the RV out of hibernation.

Check valve is in correct position.

Tip: If the valve has activated during hibernation mode and the hot water cylinder is empty, turn the valve back into place and set.
Turn the tap to hot and turn it on. This will ensure the hot water tank starts to refill. Once the water runs freely you know the cylinder is full and you are able to turn the boiler on.
If the boiler has not been running for several weeks or months you may need to try lighting it multiple times before it will light.
Do not panic this will be down to the fact there is a lack of gas in the line.

Exterior​

• Open all roof vents, locker doors and windows to clean seals and surrounding flat surfaces
• Lubricate all seals with a Silicone spray or Olive oil
  
• Caravans – Grease coupling

​It is recommended that you always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual.