John Sootheran offers some top tips on how to get your tourer ready for its winter layover
PREPARING FOR WINTER...
WELL, IT’S ALMOST time for fair weather (some might say, ‘sensible’?) caravanners to put their beloved tourers into hibernation for the winter.
To be honest, I’ve done a fair bit of winter touring, and with modern van tech and heating, it’s really rather pleasant. I don’t know about you, but I find the sound of rain on the roof quite relaxing. However, a large majority of caravanners do lay-up their tourers for the winter months, so here’s some sound advice on prepping a caravan properly, to ensure you have no nasty surprises come the spring.
Caravan covers
Once your tourer is clean, a good-quality caravan cover can protect it from the worst winter ravages. It’s important, however, that any cover is a good fit and made of the right materials, because cheap, low-quality covers can do more harm than good. This is because abrasive materials that constantly flap against the van’s side walls in the wind, can permanently damage the panel finish.
I saw one tourer where the shiny ‘top-coat’ had been buffed away to a dull, matt finish around the top corners of the sidewalls. It was a nearly new caravan and it looked terrible.
The best options are custom-made covers from the likes of Specialised Covers or Protec. These are designed to fit the precise dimensions of each van and have durable waterproof exteriors. They have soft-touch linings and let moisture escape, due to breathable materials.
At around £300-£600, these are not cheap accessories, though, and the budget option is a ‘universal-fit’ cover costing around £100. The best of these, when fitted correctly, can offer good all-round protection. Have a look at the kit offered by brands such as Maypole, Royal, Kampa and Quest, among others.
Clean the exterior
Start by cleaning the exterior of your van. On a dry – and preferably warm – day, spray the van with a low-pressure hose to soften and loosen any dirt and grime. Avoid spraying water directly at window and door seals.
Next, shampoo the van with a soft brush, sponge or cloth. I use a washmitten from
