Preparing Your Motorhome for Winter Storage in the UK

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If you are about to take your motorhome out of winter storage - here are some tips to help you get your pride and joy ready for the forthcoming touring season: https://wherenexthun.blogspot.com/2021/03/preparing-your-motorhome-ready-for.html

Preparing your motorhome for winter storage 

Well, here we are - back in the UK after 45 glorious days on the road from Plymouth to Dubrovnik and back. Six countries, 3,800 miles, and countless memories later, it’s time to face the task we always dread: putting Bryony into winter hibernation.

Bryony, our trusty motorhome, isn’t too fond of being tucked away. She was born to roam, not to sit still gathering cobwebs. If we’re lucky enough to get one of those crisp, clear high-pressure winter weeks in January, we might just take her out for a little mid-winter stretch - if only to keep her engine happy and humming.

But before she can settle down for her winter naps, there’s some prep work to do. It’s like tucking a toddler into bed: you can’t just throw on a blanket and call it a night. Well, that’s what Maggie kept telling me when the kids were babies! Between frost, damp, rodents, flat batteries, and the occasional cheeky spider invasion, winter storage needs careful thought and attention.

Here’s our checklist for winterising a motorhome - one we’ve refined through experience (and a few hard-learned lessons!).

1. Drain the Water System — Every Drop Counts

Water is a motorhome’s worst winter enemy. Left inside, it can freeze, expand, and split pipes faster than you can say “burst tank.”

• Turn off the water pump.
• Open all taps, including the shower, and leave them open over winter so air can circulate.
• Empty both freshwater and grey tanks, leaving the drain taps open.
• Don’t forget the water heater and toilet flush tank — easy to miss, painful if you do!
• Some folks use a drain-down kit to blow air through the pipes. We don’t (our Devon winters are kind), but if you’re up north, it’s a wise move.
• If you have in-line water filters, consider removing them — they can crack if frozen.

Think of this as letting your motorhome breathe out before her long rest. No one likes waking up bloated - not even Bryony.

 

2. Protect the Interior — Make It Fresh, Not Festering

A clean, dry motorhome sleeps well. Well, I hope so and I always feel I owe it to Bryony to make sure she does.

• Give her a top-to-bottom clean - vacuum, polish, scrub. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom.
• Remove all food and dry goods; don’t turn the van into a five-star winter resort for mice.
• Clean the fridge and icebox, then leave the doors ajar with a small dehumidifier tub inside.
• Prop up cushions and bedding to let air circulate.
• Scatter dehumidifier tubs around - under seats, between cushions, on shelves. Replace when full.
• Curtains open or closed? The eternal question! We compromise - blinds halfway up, nets halfway down. Sunlight deters mould, but a bit of privacy is nice too – stops prying eyes.

Our goal is to make Bryony smell like a home, not a wet golden retriever, by March. (Memories of all my parent’s retrievers who insisted on going in every puddle or river they encountered.)

3. Sort the Exterior - A Spa Day for Bryony!

Before she snoozes, we give her some love outside too.

• Wash every inch - roof, gutters, paintwork, and seals.
• Check rubber seals around windows and doors; spray with silicone to keep them supple.
• Lubricate locks with WD-40 to prevent seizing.
• If you have a ceramic coating, great. Otherwise, give her a good wax and polish to protect from winter grime. We have a ‘polish’ coating – wonderful!
• Check gutters and drains for blockages. Standing water can lead to corrosion.
• Crawl underneath for a mini health check: rust, loose pipes, or detached heating mats? (Yes, we learned that one the hard way!)
• Clean and dry the toilet cassette and locker. A spritz of silicone on the seals keeps everything happy.
• (A breathable cover is a good idea, especially to protect paintwork and seals from UV damage — just avoid plastic tarps that trap condensation. We haven’t gone down this road, but some motorhome owners on our storage site have. But remember: if you rely on solar panels to keep your batteries charged, you’ll need a cover that lets sunlight through.)

4. Battery & Electrics - Keep the Spark Alive

Batteries don’t like being ignored. Leave them flat over winter and they’ll sulk permanently.

You’ve got three options:

1. Remove them and store in a warm, dry place - top up charge occasionally. (But note: removing them can disable your tracker or alarm, which may affect insurance.)
2. Use a solar trickle charger to keep them topped up in situ.
3. Leave them connected to your solar panels, if you have enough wattage to maintain a float charge. That’s what we do, and it’s worked for four winters.

Whatever your setup:

• Switch off all unnecessary circuits.
• Prevent parasitic drains from trackers and alarms.
• Take your motorhome for a long run every six weeks, or hook her up for a full charge.

A dead battery in spring is the ultimate mood-killer. Go on, ask us how we know this! Nah, don’t bother – been there – got the badge!

 

5. Tyres & Brakes - Where the Rubber Meets the Road (or Doesn’t)

Tyres are our only contact with the earth when on the road - so we treat them well; and, hopefully, they’ll return the favour.

• Inspect for cracks, bulges, or flat spots.
• Inflate to the upper recommended pressure for storage.
• Move the van every few weeks to prevent flat spots.
• Leave it in gear and use chocks instead of the handbrake (avoids sticking).
• Check the date code - tyres over 10 years old are illegal on front axles, and we replace ours between 5–7 years regardless of tread.
• If you’ve covered serious miles, check torque settings on wheel nuts.
• Don’t forget your spare wheel - it deserves love too!

 

6. Security & Insurance - Lock It Down

• Remove all valuables and electronics.
• Use visible deterrents - steering locks, pedal clamps, and wheel locks.
• Let your insurer know the motorhome is in storage (some policies require it).
• Check all windows, skylights, and lockers are sealed tight.

I think of this as tucking Bryony under a warm blanket and locking the door to her garage bedroom. Have I said how much I love my motorhome?

 

7. Engine & Fuel System - Keep It Moving

• Fill the tank to reduce condensation.
• Add a fuel stabiliser if she’s staying put for months.
• Run the engine every few weeks, but take her for a proper drive - 20 miles or so. Idling for 10 minutes won’t do it; it’s like feeding her a spoonful of soup when she needs a full meal. It’s mean!
• Top up antifreeze and screenwash, and clean those wiper blades – my tip – mix a 50% white vinegar/50% water mix – put it into an empty spray bottle – very effective!

 

Final Thoughts

Winterising a motorhome might sound like overkill, but a few hours of prep now can save you hundreds of pounds and endless frustration in spring. We’re not just parking Bryony up - we’re tucking her in for a well-earned rest after a season of adventure.

We always give her a quick check after any big winter storm - and a gentle visit every few weeks to make sure everything’s still snug and dry.

Do you have your own winter storage rituals or tips? Drop them in the comments - we’d love to hear them!

Take care,
Steve & Maggie

PS: When it’s time to wake up your pride and joy from her winter slumber, check out our companion post:
Preparing Your Motorhome Ready for Spring