Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes

Winterproof Your Adventures

Winter doesn’t have to slow down your adventures but an unprepared motorhome can lead to frozen pipes, battery issues and costly damage.

Winterisation makes sure your water systems, heating, and electrics are fully protected, while keeping your interior dry and mould-free. Whether you’re storing your motorhome for the season or planning a winter getaway, a properly winterised vehicle means you can travel with confidence, stay comfortable, and enjoy every trip without worrying about cold-weather problems.

 

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Winterisation Explained

Winterisation involves taking steps to ensure your motorhome’s systems and components are safe from frost, ice, and low temperatures. This usually includes draining water tanks and pipes, adding antifreeze where needed, protecting the battery, and servicing heating and electrical systems.

The goal is to prevent damage such as burst pipes, frozen pumps, or mould growth while the vehicle is stored or used during winter. Proper winterisation keeps your motorhome safe, reliable, and ready to travel, no matter how cold it gets.

Batteries are sensitive to cold temperatures, which can reduce their capacity, cause freezing, or even permanently damage them. Removing the battery and storing it indoors in a cool, dry environment is the safest way to ensure it remains healthy over the winter months.

If removing the battery isn’t practical, leaving it connected while using a smart trickle charger or maintenance device will keep it topped up safely. This ensures it’s ready for use when the touring season starts again and prevents inconvenient or costly battery failures.

Before storing your motorhome for the winter, give it a thorough clean to remove dirt, grime, and road salt, which can trap moisture and cause corrosion. Waxing the exterior adds an extra layer of protection against frost, rain, and UV damage.

Using a breathable motorhome cover can further shield your vehicle from snow, ice, and harsh weather, while still allowing airflow to prevent condensation. Regularly check seals, vents, and drainage points to ensure your motorhome remains dry and damage-free throughout the season.

Heating systems often contain water that can freeze and cause burst pipes or damaged components. Draining the water heater and associated pipes or adding antifreeze where recommended helps protect the system during storage or cold-weather trips.

Winter is also a good time to check and service the boiler or combi heating unit. Ensuring it’s in good working order prevents failures when temperatures drop, keeps you warm during winter trips, and maintains safe, efficient operation throughout the season.

Even when stored, condensation can form inside a motorhome, leading to damp and mould. To prevent this, ensure vents or windows are slightly open to allow airflow, clean thoroughly to remove any moisture or food residues, and avoid covering damp surfaces.

Moisture absorbers or dehumidifiers help maintain dry conditions inside the vehicle. Regularly checking the interior for damp spots ensures your motorhome stays fresh and hygienic, ready for use when the touring season starts again.

Winter touring is possible, but it requires preparation. Ensure water and waste systems are either fully drained or protected with antifreeze, check that your tyres are suitable for icy or snowy conditions, and verify that your heating system is functioning correctly.

Other precautions include keeping the battery charged, topping up fuel to prevent condensation, and using insulated hoses or mats for water systems. With these steps, your motorhome can safely handle winter travel without risk of freezing, leaks, or other seasonal problems.

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Our Team

Welcome to the team here at Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes. We’re really proud of the team, and over the years it’s been our pleasure to provide advice and services to our ever-growing loyal customers.

Thank you for trusting us with your investment.

Oakleigh Wood - Director of Bristol Caravans
Oakleigh Wood
Director
Eliot Carey, Manager at Bristol Caravans
Eliot Carey
Manager
Tracey Allen, Service Advisor at Bristol Caravans
Tracey Allen
Service Advisor
Nick Marshall, Caravan Technician
Nick Marshall
Caravan Technician
Andy Carter
Caravan technician
Nick Clifford
Valeter
Joe Wonnacott
Senior technician
Rob Housham
driver

“We arrived at Llanfyllin, and it was raining so hard it was difficult to find our plot. Once parked up, it took just 90 seconds as we let our automatic levelling system get us level. Thank you, Bristol Caravans, for fitting our amazing levelling system.”

Jake and Carol Smith