Winter can be a challenging season for motorhomes, with colder temperatures, moisture, and road conditions all taking a toll on your vehicle. Whether you’re planning to continue adventuring through the winter months or putting your motorhome into storage until spring, proper care is essential to maintain its condition and performance.

Preparing your motorhome for winter use ensures a comfortable and safe journey, while thorough cleaning and careful storage help prevent costly repairs and preserve the longevity of your vehicle. This guide will cover the key steps to keep your motorhome winter-ready and protected during storage, so it’s ready for the road when you are.

• How should I clean my motorhome?
• How can I protect my motorhome during winter? 
• How should I maintain my motorhome?
• Where should I store my motorhome over winter?
• Should I get my motorhome serviced during wintertime?

Cleaning your motorhome

Start with a thorough exterior clean. Wash and wax the bodywork, carefully removing any green mould or mildew that might have accumulated.

When using a pressure washer, avoid high-pressure settings on sensitive areas to prevent damage. Pay special attention to the motorhome’s awnings, wheel wells, and seals around windows and doors, ensuring these are moisture-free before adding a cover.

Leave all taps open to allow any residual water or pressure to escape. A tarpaulin cover can protect your motorhome from the elements, but ensure it’s dry and free of holes to prevent moisture or mold from getting in and damaging the bodywork.

Inside, remove all food items, including crumbs, which could attract pests. Take out bedding and blankets to prevent mold, and close curtains or blinds to avoid sun damage.

Keep cupboard doors, the fridge, and freezer open to prevent odours, and defrost the freezer if needed

Keeping your motorhome safe over winter

For electrical safety, unplug small appliances like kettles and toasters, and switch off the main breaker. Drain any remaining water from the pipes to avoid freezing and bursting, and consider using a dehumidifier or a tub of silica gel inside to reduce moisture.

Be mindful of your motorhome’s positioning. Avoid storing it under trees, and if parked on grass, use blocks to raise it slightly to prevent flat spots on the tyres.

Pest control is also crucial. Place humane traps around possible entry points to keep out mice, insects, and even squirrels, which can cause significant damage if they get in.

Cover vents to deter wasps, and remove bathroom products like deodorants, as they can attract insects.

Remember, it’s not just animals you should be wary of. Unfortunately, motorhomes are prime targets for thieves, so remove any valuables before you tuck it away for the winter.

Motorhome winter maintenance

Whilst your motorhome is out of action, it’s important to take care of those key components so that you’re not met with any surprises in the Spring. Avoid starting the engine too often, as moisture can accumulate in the exhaust, leading to rust. Remove and store gas tanks safely outside the motorhome, and apply lubricant to all locks and hinges to keep them moving freely.

For added protection, consider a fuel additive to keep the tank in good condition, and change the oil before storage. Turn off all LP gas appliances, remove batteries from devices like clocks, and unplug any potentially perishable electronics, such as LCD TVs.

Lubricate the chassis and remove all batteries, disconnecting the negative terminal first. You should store them in a cool but not freezing location and check them every few weeks.

Storing your motorhome over winter

Many opt for storage in their own garages, outside their homes, or in storage compounds and campsites. If storing outside your house, ensure it’s not vulnerable to leaves and bird droppings, as this can cause corrosion to the outer bodywork.

If using an outside compound, inquire about policies concerning gas cylinders inside your motorhome and measures taken to control pests.

Motorhome storage covers can be purchased in varying degrees of quality. Ensure yours is breathable, soft, and free from anything that could damage the exterior paint or bodywork.

Cleaning your vehicle externally, removing any grit or dirt that could scratch it, and applying wax can also help protect the outer layer.

Getting your motorhome serviced

The winter months often prompt us to ensure our motorhomes are ready to take on the winter weather or ready to store away safely until Spring. Our motorhome aftersales services can help you with any aspect of your servicing needs; be it a cracked motorhome windscreen, a habitation check or an engine service

Related read: Take Away Your Winter Worries with Winter Aftersales Services

Our technicians are all factory trained to undertake quality habitation and mechanical servicing. For customers with larger vehicles, we are one of the only UK service centres with a 20,000 kg hydraulic ramp and have achieved the NCC AWS (approved workshop scheme) accreditation which indicates our dedication to delivering a first class customer experience.

Our service checks include:

• HPI Check
• 90 point habitation service
• Damp test
• Full chassis inspection
• 12 months MOT
• Engine service
• Gas safety inspection
• Carbon monoxide checks
• Electric safety inspection
• Full interior valet
• Exterior wash and polish

Winter repairs, servicing and parts

Travelworld Motorhomes is the only Goldschmitt franchised dealership in the UK. We supply and install hydraulic self-levelling systems, road spring replacements and upgrades, rear air suspension, and full vehicle motorhome air suspension upgrades.

Through our partnership with Autoglass, we source and fit motorhome windscreens and windows from a range of manufacturers. We also provide a nationwide supply and fitting service, including insurance work.

Our parts department stocks a wide range of genuine manufacturer parts, with access to thousands more through direct ordering. We also offer a full fitting service by experienced motorhome and RV technicians, mechanics, and electricians and stay up to date with the latest motorhome and campervan accessories, helping you choose the perfect products to enhance your motorhome experience.

Want to book your winter motorhome service? Contact us here, or call us on 01785 878787.