Closing down for winter

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Luca, Oct 27, 2017.

  1. We are off for our MOT next week and then its a wash, polish, empty out and close down until March. I am under a car port with a JK breathabke cover to put on. As this is my first winter can you give me a heads up on best actions. Do I remove batteries or trickle charge each month for example.
     
  2. I try to at least go for a drive every 2/3 weeks. To top up the battery and check if everything is working correctly (or not worse than before).

    Some will tell you to keep the windows slightly open to avoid humidity inside the bus (I never had this issue).
     
  3. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Starting up every do often so that the battery doesn't completely drain may be an idea? To be honest I just leave mine and start it when I remember to go up as it's not kept at home. It is in a door less barn/garage so under cover. Actually there is a door now so this winter it will be completely indoors. Take the handbrake off so that the brakes don't stick? Unless it's on a slope :).

    There are prob lots of things to do I just don't know them!
     
  4. Day

    Day

    If you've used the bus for camps make sure there's no perishable food left inside...

    Handbrake off is a good idea if on flat.
    Maybe a cheap plastic dehumidifier inside if damp is an issue.

    Mainly just start it up once in a while....better still go for a little drive.
     
    nicktuft likes this.
  5. bluerustybucket

    bluerustybucket Supporter

    if you have got a water container or tank connected to a sink unit drain it down or take it out.
    check batteries once a month or start her up
     
    Day likes this.
  6. Use mine most of the year. They don't likes sitting for too long you know, they like work.
     
    Dexter, scrooge95, Day and 4 others like this.
  7. ^this. Best to use it if you possibly can!
     
    scrooge95, Day and Technohippy like this.
  8. All as above, also I disconnect the battery (but reconnect every month and use the bus for 30mins) leave the drawers and cupboard doors open, make sure the gas bottle is off (or remove), remove cutains and bed and store in house (stops them getting damp), lift off the van cover to let van breath/dry off (condensation) if not used for many weeks, keep petrol tank almost filled (condensation/rusting inside) use bus often and refill with fresh petrol (as petrol starts to go off after 90 days).
     
    mgbman likes this.
  9. Pudelwagen

    Pudelwagen Supporter

    If you're not going to use it all winter, why not leave the mot until next spring?
    Get a few more months for your money.
     
    lost-en-france and mgbman like this.
  10. Plus eleventy on this ^

    Also, don't bother with a JK cover if it's under a car port,
    Bung an oil filled radiator in it and use it for regular on drive, drinking sessions
    (and somewhere away from the wife & kids to shoot up)
    And as always, fill your gutters with vaseline.
     
    Dicky likes this.
  11. put vaseline in the gutters.

    best thing to drive it min 2-3 weeks
     
  12. Biggest bag of cheap cat litter you can find spread out on a sheet of something :)
     
  13. You mean, you get the local moggies freeloading?
     
  14. the Range sell single use moisture traps for a quid ....I use these and a tray of cat litter , take battery out and keep topped up .
     
  15. Loosen the mythical 'four bolts'.
     
  16. This year when I put mine in the garage I think I am going to close the van doors and bung the dehumidifier on for a couple of hours. As for putting a cover on I've never done that, before I had the garage it sat outdoors without, some people will tell you a cover will trap moisture inside it. I'd just make sure to give it a good wash and polish including the gutters.

    I usually start it up and allow it to run for a while ... as for the MOT I'd get it done so that when you want to drive it first time next year it will be legal.
     
    Pedro del monkeybike and Day like this.
  17. Barry Haynes

    Barry Haynes I dance in leopard skin mankini’s

    @Luca if it’s MOTd and taxed why not just use it over the winter, when these vans came off the production line they weren’t just build for summer use, drive it and enjoy it...

    Don’t forget to put Vaseline in your gutter, the late bay members are always telling me to do that
     
  18. Keep it road legal and use it for day trips out winter picnics etc
    A camper is for life not just for summer
     
    Bhubesi, scrooge95, taiga79 and 8 others like this.
  19. Drive it once a week, or it will rot - quickly...
     
    Iain McAvoy and Barry Haynes like this.
  20. crossy2112

    crossy2112 Supporter

    [QUOTE="Barry Haynes, post: 1374076, member:

    Don’t forget to put Vaseline on your bits, Snotts is always telling me to do that[/QUOTE]
    :eek:
     

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