Whether you’re chasing off-season getaways or simply storing your pride and joy until spring, winter is hard on caravans and motorhomes. Damp, frost and long periods standing still cause most of the problems, and a breakdown with a tourer in tow is a headache you really don’t want on a cold motorway. Here’s how to get winter-ready, and what to do if things go wrong.
Protecting a stored caravan or motorhome
- Drain the water system fully. Trapped water freezes, expands and cracks pipes, taps and the water heater, one of winter’s most expensive and avoidable bills.
- Keep the battery healthy. Remove it or keep it on a trickle charger; a flat leisure battery left through winter often won’t recover.
- Ventilate against damp. Leave lockers and the fridge slightly open, use moisture traps, and don’t seal it up completely.
- Protect the tyres. Inflate to the correct pressure, and move the vehicle occasionally (or use winter wheel supports) to avoid flat spots.
- Cover and secure. A breathable cover, a hitch lock and a wheel clamp guard against both weather and theft.
If you’re still touring through winter
Off-season trips are wonderful, but check the basics before every journey: tyre pressures and tread (including the spare), lights and electrics on the trailer, the tow ball and coupling, and your nose weight. Big, slab-sided caravans and motorhomes are far more affected by winter crosswinds and slippery surfaces, so ease your speed and leave extra room. Keep the habitation door key, levelling ramps and a warm kit to hand.
What to do if it breaks down
A breakdown with a caravan or a fault in a heavy motorhome needs the right equipment, you can’t just hook a tourer onto any van. It takes proper capacity and experience to recover them safely. Our caravan and motorhome recovery service is set up exactly for this, whether it’s a burst tyre on the outfit, a towing fault or a full mechanical failure on the motorhome itself.
K9 Recovery and Transport reaches you wherever you are, with 3,000 vetted drivers nationwide and the right kit for big, heavy loads. No membership, fully insured, and the keenest price in the UK because our drivers compete for the job. Any time, any place, any vehicle, any situation, caravans, motorhomes, horseboxes, cars, vans and beyond, if it’s broken down we can move it. We’re rated 4.9/5 from 200+ Google reviews.
Broken down this winter? Get the keenest price in the UK, fast.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to drain the water system for winter?
Yes, it’s the single most important job. Water left in pipes, the pump or the heater freezes and cracks them, leading to costly repairs come spring. Drain everything down and leave taps open.
How do I stop the leisure battery dying over winter?
Either remove it and store it somewhere cool and dry on an occasional charge, or leave it connected to a smart trickle charger. A leisure battery left to go flat for months usually won’t bounce back.
Can you recover a caravan and my car together?
In most cases, yes, we’ll match the right driver and equipment to your outfit so both are moved safely. Tell us the make, size and weight when you call so we send the right vehicle first time.
My motorhome won’t start on the drive after winter, can you help?
Absolutely. Whether it’s a flat battery, a fuel issue after standing, or something bigger, we can attend or recover it to a garage. One call and a nearby vetted driver gets you sorted.