Skip to content
While some continue to use motorhomes in the winter, others prefer to stop their practice and put their vehicle in a shed for a few months. But wintering is being prepared. We guide you in this exercise through a video tutorial.
Discover our step-by-step tutorial to prepare your camp for the winter:
Kilometers have accumulated on the odometer, new roads have been crossed… With memories of your escapades, you decide to leave your camp for a few winter months. But to make this seasonal break go as smoothly as possible, you need to start pampering your leisure vehicle. Because wintering is being prepared. Rest assured, there is nothing complicated! Just follow a few basic tips that we send you with the help of a Rémy Frères representative. Here’s how to do it, in three main steps and 20 movements, so you can be sure you’ll be able to leave in peace as soon as the good weather returns.
Step 1 CLEANING
- Make the beds: First steps: remove all sheets, blankets and duvets to wash them, then store them at home, away from moisture.
- Raise the cushions: Similarly, to effectively combat moisture in the passenger compartment, raise all the cushions to allow air to circulate freely.
- Clean out the cupboards: Don’t leave food in the kitchen cupboards. A package of cakes or pasta could attract rodents. Empty and dust the closets throughout the car house.
- Wash the refrigerator Disinfect: with the appropriate product, the different compartments of the refrigerator, after you have completely emptied it.
- Disinfect toilets: Using a product designed to clean toilets, disinfect to eliminate bacteria.
- Release the sunroofs by lifting them slightly. If your motorhome is screened, you can open the skylights slightly to relieve the joints and improve ventilation.
- Install a dehumidifier Moisture easily penetrates unheated spaces. A dehumidifier will act as a barrier to keep your interior healthy.
Step 2 CLEAN THE WATER CIRCUIT
- Drain the water: Empty the water tank by removing the drain plug. Also run the water on the faucet to evacuate the fluid from the circuit. Then clean the fresh water tank with white vinegar. There are also special cleaning products.
- Leave mixer taps open: Place mixers (bathroom, shower, kitchen) in the open position to prevent freezing.
- Drain the boiler: After turning off the water pump, drain the boiler by opening the drain valve.
Step 3 Secure and shine
- Break the circuit and disconnect the battery terminals: Finally, break the electrical circuit of the cell. If you don’t have a switch, you can disconnect the auxiliary battery terminals.
- Spray Rodent Repellent in the Engine Block: Attracted to the starch in some cables, rodents can climb into the engine block and ingest the wiring harness. Use rodent spray to avoid this unpleasant surprise.
- Protect the seals: With a simple spray of silicone grease, you protect the seals of all openings in your home (windows, doors, gates).
- Release the parking brake… making sure to put the vehicle in gear. Necessary to avoid possible blockage caused by cold.
- Inflate Your Tires Properly: Inflate your tires and place your home on blocks to prevent them from deforming. The best thing is to put the car on candles.
- Close the gas cylinders: Unscrew the connecting loops from the gas cylinders to prevent freezing. Take the opportunity to check their shelf life.
- Wash the body: use a hose and a cleaning broom to remove all the dirt from the body of your motor home. Avoid high-pressure cleaners that can damage the seals.
- Place a support under the wipers: In the cold, the wipers stick to the windshield. To avoid this, you can put caps or other support to separate them from the windshield.
- Refueling: To avoid condensation in the diesel tank, refuel before leaving the motorhome in winter. Do the same with AdBlue, if your vehicle is equipped with it.
- Run the vehicle several times during the winter: To limit the deformation of the tires, if the vehicle is not mounted on a stand, it is good to regularly (once a month) roll the vehicle a few centimeters. Running the engine for a few minutes is also good for the mechanics.
Find a place to spend the winter
Parking your motorhome under cover (garage, carport, hangar) protects it from bad weather. There are several places in France that provide security. To find it, let’s mention the monhangar.fr platform, which connects farmers and artisans who have unused premises with people looking for winter accommodation. This website lists 600 storage locations across France.
Thanks to the Rémy Frères dealership, based in Ruffec (16), for the vehicle loan, welcome and valuable advice.