January is behind us, so we can soon start thinking about spring, welcoming the season for motorhoming once again.

Motorhomes and other recreational vehicles will often sit unused during the winter months, so it’s important that appropriate measures are taken to ensure they are fit for use prior to getting back on the road.

Get your motorhome service booked in

Most important is to check that your motorhome is running safely, so get a service booked in before the rush, as garages can get busy.

After sitting idle for the winter, issues can arise which may not become visible until you take the vehicle on the road. Avoid any issues catching you by surprise by getting it checked in good time.

Check for leaks and damp

The cold and wet weather throughout the winter can take effect on the inside of a motorhome, as well as the outside. Checking for evidence of damp around walls, floors and fabrics is important.

Black spots of mould are usually from condensation, so ventilation around that area should be checked and the heating turned on. Anti-mould treatment can come in handy! Tide lines or staining on the floor can be a sign of rising damp which can be caused by holes to the underside of the motorhome, or by being parked over a very wet area. Effective waterproofing treatment can sort these issues out and prevent any further damp.

Flush out the water system

If you prepared your motorhome for the winter, it’s likely that you added some anti-freeze to the water system to prevent freezing. As this water system will be used for drinking and washing when the motorhome is in use again, you should flush water through the system and drain the water tank prior to getting it up and running again.

Tyre pressures

During winter, if your motorhome is stored away, the tyres can lose around two to three psi of air pressure each month. If the vehicle is kept outside in the cold, they may become even more deflated.

Driving with underinflated tyres is dangerous so it’s vital that the pressure of all tyres matches the manufacturer’s recommendations based on the specific vehicle. Checks must also be made of the tread and sidewalls.

Charge your batteries

It’s not just tyres that can become run down during the winter period. Even though the motorhome is not being used, any batteries can lose a percentage of their charge simply through internal leakage. A good piece of advice is to keep your batteries charged throughout the time that your vehicle is sitting idle as this can extend their lifespan. 

If you are looking at purchasing a motorhome, talk to your dealer or broker about motorhome finance and start planning that next adventure.