PREPARING FOR WINTER

There is no set method to readying your motorhome for a winter lay-up, but expert Peter Rosenthal is on hand to reveal a few of your options

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Keeping your motorhome safe and protected over the winter period is something that should always be considered during the colder months of the year, and especially when the gritters first appear on the roads.

There are various schools of thought when it comes to winterising your motorhome. Some people go to great lengths to drain down all the water tanks, fit dehumidifiers and heat the interiors. They carefully lug all the cushions into their house and open all the cupboard doors, spend hours cleaning the vehicle and then cover it with a tailored cover.

Other people simply park it up and switch it off, while some like to use them and take advantage of the quieter all-year campsites. There are pros and cons with all these approaches.

USE IT ALL YEAR

Leisure vehicles hate being unused. Just like humans, they get grumpy sitting in one place for months at a time and want to get out and about! In particular, having the weight of the motorhome sitting in one place on the tyres can cause flat spots and having all the engine belts stuck in one position doesn’t do them any good either.

Equally, rodents love to stay out of the weather in a cosy crevice on a motorhome and are known to enjoy a nibble on modern wiring.

Batteries go flat when the vehicle isn’t being used, and the lack of interior heating as well as the increase of water ingress issues when the vehicle is stationary for long periods can cause all manner of issues.

The simple solution is to use it all year round - you’ve paid a lot of money for your leisure vehicle, so why not get maximum use out of it?

If you’re empty nesters, you can also take advantage of lovely empty campsites (read bargain prices) and crowd-free destinations. Admittedly not all tourist attractions will be open, but any that are will be far quieter than in the summer months and you'll see a different side to Britain and get to see how the locals live in the off-season.