The majority of motorhome enthusiasts stop touring in the winter, but some carry on.
Either way, you will need to learn how to protect your motorhome from the winter elements.
Here’s what you should do:
Keep your worst enemy in mind — frozen water!
For every seasoned motorhome enthusiast, there are two words that really strike fear into the heart: “burst pipes”.
If there is any water left in the plumbing, it can easily freeze, expand,
and rupture the piping.
A bust pipe incident, and consequently leaking water and water
damage, is one of the worst and most damaging incidents that can afflict motorhomes.
No burst pipe incident is good, but it's bound to be worse if your motorhome is unattended for three months (typically December to February, the depths of winter).
The important thing to do, then, is to drain down your motorhome.
Follow the steps below to squeeze every last drop of water out of your piping, so that you can rest easy when storing it away.
Prepare your motorhome for months of inactivity.
Frozen water is the most havoc-wrecking problem, but it isn’t the only one. Mother Nature has a whole army of resources to draw on, and threaten your motorhome while you aren’t there.
Follow this checklist and you should be fine, however.
(Note: It isn’t essential to clean your motorhome — but who wants to come back and start a new season in a dirty one? Give it a good clean and keep it smelling fresh over the winter.)
Check up on your motorhome during winter.
It’s a good idea to check in and see how your motorhome is doing during the winter.
You don’t have to do this every week — or even every two weeks.
But I would recommend staggering out your visits, and maybe doing about six check-ups from the start of December to the end of February
(and maybe one after an especially cold spell).
The most important thing to do is check the moisture levels.
If you follow the checklist above closely, everything should be fine.
Or if you are ‘carrying on’…
More people are soldiering on and living in their motorhomes throughout the winter.
It may not be as comfortable as in the summer, but it can still be a lot of fun.
That being said, there are some things you should keep in mind before you get started, and ideally before you select the model or make of the motorhome.
(See the graphic below on help choosing the right model.)
Burst pipes can even happen while you are living in a motorhome, although by heating it for warmth, the chances of it happening are reduced.
Invest in a motorhome “skirt” to trap heat underneath and protect your electrics.
Make use of insulation and heat tape to keep the water supply working, and invest in some multi-sensor thermometers — so that you can really keep an eye on everything that is going on.
All things aside, what is most important is that you have fun. Van and motorhome life is enormous fun.
It is liberating, but also challenging.
To keep having as much fun as possible, stay safe and be sensible.
Protect your motorhome, and it will provide you with immeasurable fun for years.
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This Author Neil Wright is a writer and researcher. He has an interest in travel, science and the natural world, and has written extensively about motorhome life and winter proofing equipment on his website.