Frost, Damp and Dormancy: A Room-by-Room Winter Plan for Your Caravan

November has a habit of arriving quietly. One weekend the van is still packed with summer chairs and a half-used bottle of caravan cleaner; the next, there is ice on the tow ball and a hard frost forecast for the weekend. The 2026 touring season is winding down, and the first cold snap is the moment to stop thinking about next spring and start protecting the van for it.

At Milestone Caravans, we like to think of winterisation not as a chore but as a room-by-room shutdown. Do it properly once and you avoid the familiar spring surprises: a cracked water heater, musty cushions, a toilet cassette that smells like a pond, or mice that have treated your upholstery as a hotel. Here is a practical walk-through for UK owners, whether your caravan is stored on a driveway, in a barn or on a seasonal pitch.

Begin with the water system

Water is the great destroyer. Drain it first, because everything else can wait. Open all taps, including the shower mixer, and empty the fresh and waste tanks. If your van has a water heater, drain it according to the manufacturer's instructions - and do not skip the heater just because the tank looks empty. A surprising amount can sit inside.

Remove the shower head and drain the hose. Flush the toilet and empty the cassette, then clean it thoroughly. Pump out any remaining water from the system, and leave drain valves open so any last drips can escape. Do not pour household antifreeze into the fresh water system; use only products specifically approved for caravans if you need to protect traps, and follow the label. If in doubt, leave the system dry rather than half-treated.

Kitchen and washroom: moisture magnets

Empty every cupboard. Crumbs, pasta and opened packets are an invitation to pests. Clean the fridge, leave its door ajar and dry the interior with a cloth. Check the freezer compartment for ice, and leave a moisture absorber nearby if your storage is prone to damp.

The washroom needs the same treatment. Dry the shower tray and curtain, clean the basin and leave cabinet doors open. Remove toiletries that could freeze or leak. Pay attention to sealant around the shower and basin; if it is black or peeling, note it for spring repair. A dry washroom is a happy washroom.

Lounge, beds and soft furnishings

Strip the bedding and take it indoors. Cushions should be removed if possible, or stood on edge so air can circulate around them. Vacuum the seating and carpets thoroughly, because crumbs and pet hair are exactly what mice and moths enjoy. Do not wrap upholstery in plastic; that traps moisture and encourages mould. Breathable covers are better.

Open wardrobe doors and locker doors. Leave the bed slats exposed if you can, and prop up mattress cushions so air can move underneath. If your caravan has fixed bunks, check the corners and under-bed storage for damp. A small, cheap moisture absorber in the van can help, but it is not a substitute for ventilation.

Ventilation, damp and the cover debate

A caravan needs to breathe. Do not seal every vent and locker in the hope of keeping frost out. Slightly open roof vents, ideally under a breathable cover or vent covers, and leave internal doors ajar. The aim is steady air movement, not a gale.

Covers divide opinion. A breathable cover keeps leaves, bird mess and UV off the van, but a cheap, non-breathable cover can trap condensation and do more harm than good. If you use one, make sure it is designed for caravans and fitted properly. Check inside the van every few weeks during winter, especially after storms. Damp is easier to stop than to reverse.

Electrics, gas, tyres and the outside

Remove the leisure battery if you can, store it somewhere cool and dry, and give it a top-up charge periodically. Isolate the electrics and turn off the gas at the cylinder. Remove gas bottles if your storage rules require it. Clean the exterior, including the roof if you can do so safely, and check seals around windows and lockers.

Tyres should be inflated to the correct pressure and, ideally, the van should not sit on the same spot for months. If you can, move it slightly or use wheel supports. Leave the handbrake off and chock the wheels to prevent brakes sticking, unless your storage site insists otherwise. Dry the awning completely before storing it - a damp awning is a mould farm.

Pests: deny them the welcome mat

Mice can squeeze through gaps you would not believe. Remove all food, including pet food and bird seed. Check around pipes and cables for gaps, and block obvious entry points with suitable mesh, not expanding foam alone. Do not leave bedding, towels or cardboard in the van. Peppermint oil and ultrasonic devices have mixed reviews; cleanliness and physical barriers are more reliable.

Your printable winter checklist

• Drain fresh and waste water tanks
• Drain water heater and open all taps
• Empty and clean toilet cassette
• Clean fridge and leave door ajar
• Remove food, bedding and cushions
• Vacuum carpets and seating
• Open wardrobe and locker doors
• Leave roof vents slightly open
• Remove leisure battery or charge it
• Turn off gas and isolate electrics
• Check tyre pressures and chock wheels
• Clean and dry awning before storage
• Check exterior seals and lockers
• Book a midwinter inspection visit

Common mistakes to avoid

Sealing the van airtight is the classic error. So is leaving water in the heater, forgetting the toilet flush tank, or storing a damp awning under the bed. Another common one is leaving the handbrake on for months, which can seize the brakes. Finally, do not assume a cover means you can forget the van until March. A quick monthly check is worth more than any gadget.

A spring launch starts now

The best spring caravan trips begin with a dry, frost-free winter. Spend an afternoon on the van in November 2026, write a note of any jobs for the workshop, and then leave it alone to sleep. When the first mild weekend arrives, you will be ready to hitch up rather than chasing leaks.