STORAGE PREPARATIONS

Tom Olthoff outlines what to do when storing your RV in order to prolong the length and quality of its life.

Words and photography by Tom Olthoff

A booklet on tyres produced by a tyre manufacturer a few years ago had an interesting opening paragraph which went something like – “can your tyres stand another holiday when they have been on holiday for the last 12 months?” The message he was that tyres could deteriorate while not being used. However, much of this can be prevented by adopting storage procedures that will prolong the life of the tyres as well as the caravan itself and all its equipment and components.

WHERE TO STORE

Considering the investment that modern caravans and camper trailers represent, it is worth giving them a little TLC when they are not being used. Ideally an RV should be kept under cover as the sun is possibly the biggest enemy. If under cover storage is not available then a separate light-weight UV resistant cover is highly recommended. There are several different ones available but generally speaking the less expensive ones don’t last as long.

When a caravan, pop-top or camper trailer is kept outside, anything that can protect the surfaces and external equipment should be seen as a plus. Apart from the RV itself there may be a gas cylinder, air conditioner or even something as simple as the coupling that could use some protection from the elements.

In regard to pop-top roofs, the rule is simple. If the sun’s rays can contact the vinyl sleeve, leave the roof down. When the van is under cover and there is sufficient clearance above, leave the roof up. Irrespective of the type of RV or where it is stored, it is a good idea to open the unit up every couple of months and allow some fresh air to flow through.

OFF-SITE STORAGE

With an increasing number of Australians moving into smaller homes, or homes with less space around them, storage in other places is often keenly sought by caravan owners. While there is no shortage of places offering to store caravans, boats, trailers and other items that won’t fit into the house or garage, costs can vary greatly.

A quick ring around revealed costs ranging from a couple of dollars a day, 100km from a city, to a couple of hundred per month, closer to home. Then there can be a big variation between inside and outside storage. Another thing to watch is whether you are paying for the space only when the van is actually parked there or if you are renting the space with or without a van on it.

Insurance is another area where caution is needed. Some companies will cover a caravan when it is being used, towed or stored at the nominated residential address. When the van is stored elsewhere it is advisable to carefully read the policy and if in doubt let the insurance company know. Always do this in writing and request written confirmation that it has been noted.

CLEANLINESS

High on the list of priorities when returning from a trip should be a thorough clean of all exterior surfaces including the roof. A long handled broom with a soft head can be very helpful. Use a mild detergent as you would choose for a car. Often stubborn stains can be removed with a car polish. Substances like tar may need a little turps. There are also products available from car or caravan accessory outlets that will remove anything that is difficult to get off.

Make sure that the awning, pop-top sleeve or any canvas is perfectly dry prior to storing the RV. Mould can set in if something is left wet, which is not only unsightly but can cause permanent damage. If the surfaces look a little dull, an application of liquid car polish will spruce it up. Don’t use anything too severe or abrasive, as the layer of colour is quite thin.

TYRE CARE

As mentioned in Pre-trip Preparation part-2, sunlight is the biggest enemy of tyres. Keeping them protected from the ultra-violet rays is a must. This is not difficult. A piece of cement fibre sheeting cut to stand up in the wheel box will do the job. If the spare is exposed to the sun it is worth removing it and storing it away from the sun. Don’t lay the tyre on the vinyl flooring inside the van unless a piece of cardboard or similar is used. The rubber can react with the vinyl and leave a permanent mark.

EQUIPMENT OPERATION

There are different thoughts as to whether equipment like the refrigerator, air conditioner or water heater should be operated on a regular basis. Irrespective whether you do or not, the fact remains that often the equipment that is least used gives the most amount of trouble. Caravan Club members who use their units regularly often experience fewer problems than those who only go away once a year. However the decision to operate the equipment on a regular basis also depends on where the RV is stored.

When the RV is stored at home, the fridge can often be used as a back up to the normal one in the kitchen when entertaining large numbers of people. Remember that it can take 4-6 hours to cool down the fridge, even longer in hot weather. It is a good idea to run it for a few days rather than a few hours. If the fridge is switched off make sure that the inside is clean and the door left open to allow air circulation.

Water heaters often require a flush-out and can then be stored empty with the drain plug or anode left out. If you have a heater with an anode, replace it if it is noticeably eroded. New ones are about 25mm in diameter. Make sure that the heater cannot be accidentally switched on if it is left empty.

BATTERIES

Many a battery is allowed to die between uses, even when it is connected to a charger. Often the cause is an unsuitable charger. To keep a battery in a fully charged and healthy condition a multi or three-stage charger is needed. While some chargers may be able to quickly charge a depleted battery, these may not be suitable to keep the battery topped up over a long period of non-use.

For extended storage it can be advisable to disconnect the battery and only leave the charger connected. This assumes that the wiring connections are such that this can be achieved easily. A master switch in the main supply line from the battery is also a good idea. This allows the supply to be disconnected when required, including in an emergency.

If an RV is fitted with solar panels and the unit is stored outside, it is important that the appropriate regulation equipment is fitted to control the state of charge of the battery.

THE WEIGHTY BITS

Another point of discussion amongst caravanners is related to the pros and cons of jacking up a caravan when it is not being used. Obviously if you were using the van on a regular basis, say once a month, jacking it up may not be the best way to go. But for long-term storage there are certainly benefits in taking some of the load off the tyres, wheels, bearings and springs. However, the corner stabilisers are not designed to take care of this.

A simple method of reducing the load requires only the jockey wheel and a couple of strong car-type safety stands. It doesn’t matter whether the stand is a pin, screw or ratchet type but it must have a saddle or U-section on the top. Once the van is in its storage position, wind the jockey wheel handle so as to lower the drawbar as close to the ground as possible. It helps if the jockey wheel is clamped at its lowest point. At this stage the front of the van will be down and the rear section sticking up.

Now place the safety stands under the main chassis beam behind but near the wheels. Adjust the support so these just contact the chassis. Now raise the front of the van until the van is level. While the wheels will not be off the ground, this procedure has taken a considerable amount of weight from the tyres, bearings and suspension. When getting ready for a trip, reverse the above procedure.

As an alternative, a Trail-A-Mate jack can be used to raise the caravan off the ground and insert the safety stands. While other types of jacks are available, the Trail-A-Mate jack is safe to use and doesn’t require getting under the van.

SUMMARY

Looking after your RV when it is not being used should not be a laborious or time consuming task. But spending a little time and a small amount of effort ensuring that it is cared for in a way that maintains the RV in top condition should be seen as an investment. Unlike motor vehicles, the likes of caravans and pop-tops do not depreciate at a huge rate. With a little TLC there is a good chance that after 6-8 years of ownership you may well get back what you paid for it initially. If that isn’t an incentive to look after it, I don’t know what is.