Prevention is better than cure
Top tips:
Drain Down:
Drain the fresh and waste water tanks, leave the fresh water inspection cap off to ensure the tank will air and stay fresh.
Switch on the water pump and open the taps – when the water stops running switch off the pump.
Drain the boiler
If possible, unscrew the showerhead and empty out the water but don't lose the rubber washer!
Some motor homes have taps at low level to drain any water remaining in the pipe work - open these as well.
If the toilet has a separate tank for the flush water this should also be drained.
Refill:
Close all the drain points for the tanks, boiler and pipe work.
Don't forget to tighten water tank inspection caps if they were removed or left loose.
Close all the taps.
Fill the fresh water tank.
Switch on the pump.
Open a cold tap and wait until the water flows out steadily and then close it again.
Open a hot tap and wait until the water flows out steadily (this may take a couple of minutes) then close it.
That's it; the system is primed and ready to go!
Batteries:
Batteries should always be stored fully charged, whether it is for a few weeks or several months.
Hook up for 48 hours to ensure the leisure batteries are fully charged.
Switch off EVERYTHING. Don't forget the inverters, satellite and freeview systems.
A top up charge is recommended every 6 - 8 weeks.
The starter battery has to maintain the vehicle ECU, alarm and tracker systems, even though the motor home is not being driven. It will also require charging at intervals. On many vans the 230-volt charging system can charge both the leisure and starting batteries. Either together or as selected. Check your handbook for details. If it is not possible to hook up you can have a battery master fitted. It will maintain the starter battery by linking it to the leisure batteries.
Gas:
To keep your gas system working in the colder weather use PROPANE (red cylinders) not butane (blue cylinders).
Don't attempt to insulate the gas cylinder. The cylinder is like a boiling kettle, heated by air surrounding it.
Remember, gas can supply far more heat to your van than the 230-volt system - up to 6kw (equivalent to 25 amps) from a combi boiler.
Brownhills also recommend that the habitation area of motor homes be inspected annually to ensure they remain a tip-top condition. Brownhills offer a comprehensive annual service, which includes pressurising the gas system to ensure it is leak-free and carrying out a damp test to check for any water ingress, which can be carried out while you wait.