If you need to safely store your caravan for an extended period, you need to come up with a plan to help you achieve this goal. Your caravan will wait for you for your next adventure whenever you need it, and all it takes is to store it with care.
Choose the right location
Of course, the first thing you should do is find the right spot to store your caravan. It should be some covered space, like a garage or a special vehicle storage facility, where your caravan will be safe from all outdoor elements, especially inclement weather. A field is not the best option as it becomes a convenient shade for all kinds of mammals and reptiles that could damage the underside. Avoid parking it under trees where birds and bats roost and will foul the roof of the caravan.
There are many facilities that can accommodate a wide range of caravan sizes, with various storage units perfect for any vehicle. You should check the place closest to you and be sure this place will be safe for your caravan.
Clean it
Before you let your caravan rest for several months, give it a good and thorough scrub. This will help prevent rust and corrosion, and you should remove any dirt, grime, or other stains. Vacuum the floors, dust the surfaces, clean the storage cabinets, and other parts of your caravan, and most importantly, clean the kitchen and bathroom thoroughly as not to attract bugs and other unwanted guests.
Protect the tyres
When your caravan is stored for a longer time, the tyres can degrade. Inflate them to the recommended pressure and use additional jack supports (i.e. more than just the stabilising jacks at the four corners) to take the weight of the caravan, including from the jockey wheel at the front. Alternatively, you can move the vehicle a little bit every few weeks.
Proper ventilation
Make sure there’s enough ventilation in the vehicle to prevent mould and mildew. You can leave interior doors and cabinets slightly ajar so that the air can circulate freely. Also, you can use dehumidifiers to keep the moisture level optimal all the time.
Power sources
Remove any LPG bottles and store them safely. Follow the installer’s recommendations for battery systems. This may involve disconnecting them completely or attaching them to a trickle charger which might then drive a ventilation fan.
Check the seals
Carefully check all the seals, especially those at the external windows, doors, and roof vents. If the seals are in good condition, they will prevent damage from water seeping in during rain. So, make sure that you waterproof your caravan and protect it from any kind of weather by checking on the seals.
Registration
Make a note in your diary of when the registration expires. If you are storing it out-of-sight, then you don’t want to return to it to find it’s not legal to drive on the road. Consult your state’s requirements for caravan registration.
Protect the exterior
You can find high-quality ventilated covers for caravans and these are perfect investments to keep your vehicle safe. This cover will protect the caravan from the damaging sun’s rays, dirt, rain, and snow, and it will let water drain out, so you won’t have to worry about corrosion caused by water sitting on metal surfaces.
When the time comes to store your caravan somewhere until you need it again for some major travelling adventure, you need to be well-prepared. Keeping it well-maintained and safe all the time, even when you are not using it, it will pay off in so many unforgettable memories and wonderful experiences later on.
Darren is an expert on driving and transport, and is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists
