15 tips for winterizing your van!
With the arrival of winter, it is essential to prepare your campervan to face the cold temperatures . Proper wintering protects your vehicle and allows you to find it in excellent condition when the good weather returns.
Why winterize your camper van?
This allows:
- Protect mechanics from frost damage.
- Prevent moisture and mold inside the van.
- Save on repairs by avoiding costly damage.
For fans of Vanlife and road trips in converted vehicles, properly winterizing your van means ensuring you can get back on the road as soon as spring comes around, without any nasty surprises.
We share with you 15 tips (useful and practical ) to prepare your van for the extreme cold and to ensure it is ready as soon as you want to get back on the road!
1. Clean your vehicle completely
Before winterizing your van, a good cleaning is essential. Accumulated salt, mud and dust can damage the bodywork and promote rust. So spend time cleaning the exterior, not forgetting hidden areas such as the underside of the vehicle.
Inside , empty all cupboards, vacuum and clean all surfaces. This will prevent mold and mildew in the spring and unpleasant surprises.
In Vanlife, your van is your home on wheels: a clean home is always nicer to come back to after the winter break!
2. Empty and rinse the water tanks
Water tanks must be completely emptied to prevent water from freezing and damaging pipes.
Rinse them with a suitable product to remove limescale deposits and bad odours. This will save you a lot of hassle when you get back on the road.
When you live in a van, water is precious: maintaining your tanks properly will ensure optimal comfort when you get back.
3. Completely flush your plumbing system
Freezing can cause serious damage to the plumbing system. To remedy this, completely flushing the water circuit is essential:
- Open all the faucets and let the water run until nothing comes out anymore.
- For even greater peace of mind, you can add an antifreeze specially designed for drinking water systems.
You'll be sure not to find any nasty surprises, like cracked pipes, when you leave.
4. Disconnect the battery and store it in a dry place at a good temperature.
The battery is the heart of your van. Sensitive to the cold, it must be treated with care. Disconnect the batteries to avoid energy loss and store them in a temperate place, protected from frost.
Recharge them once a month to preserve their capacity.
In vanlife, autonomy is crucial. A well-maintained battery is the guarantee of remaining free on the road.
5. Ensure good ventilation and air circulation
Even when stationary, a van needs to breathe. Leave some openings to allow air circulation and prevent mold.
The little extra: you can place moisture absorbers inside to capture excess water.
A healthy, mold-free interior is a good place to live, even after several months of inactivity.
6. Protect the seals and check the doors
To keep your van watertight and comfortable, take care of the door and window seals:
- Apply a protective product to the joints to keep them flexible when exposed to the cold.
- Check that all doors close properly before storing your van for the winter.
7. Unplug electrical appliances
8. Maintaining the heating: a must for winter travelers
Even if you don’t use your van in the winter, test the heating system before storing it . Make sure it’s working properly and clean the filters . This will ensure that it’s ready for the next cold season.
If you are one of the brave souls traveling in winter, a good heater is the key to comfortable nights in the snow!
9. Protect your tires
To prevent your tires from deforming under the weight of the van, inflate them slightly above the recommended pressure .
If possible, raise your vehicle using specific chocks or supports. Tires are your direct link to the road.
10. Choose a good storage location
A van that is well protected from the elements also requires a good storage space. If you are lucky enough to have a garage or covered shelter, this is ideal.
Otherwise, invest in a breathable cover to protect your vehicle while allowing good ventilation.
11. Fill up with fuel
Before winterizing your van, fill up with fuel to avoid condensation in the tank. If you are using a diesel engine, add an antifreeze additive. This will avoid any unpleasant surprises when you turn the ignition back on.
12. Check fluid levels
Check the coolant, engine oil and brake fluid . If an oil change is scheduled soon, do an oil change before winter storage. to protect the engine during the winter.
13. Lubricate your vehicle's locks and hinges
Locks and hinges can seize up in the cold. To prevent this problem, you can use a suitable lubricant. It's a simple action that can save you a lot of frustration when it comes to reopening your van after the winter and not being blocked by a recalcitrant lock.
14. Anticipate visits from animals and insects
Winter is often synonymous with shelter for small animals and insects . Make sure your van is well protected:
Seal any openings that could allow rodents to enter. You can also install rodent traps and ultrasonic devices to deter them from visiting your van.
Check the interior regularly during winter storage to make sure everything is okay.
And one last tip for the road...
15. Regularly monitor the ventilation and general condition of your vehicle
Finally, always keep an eye on your van during the winter. Make sure there is enough ventilation and that nothing seems abnormal .
If possible, drop by from time to time to make sure everything is in order. A regular check will save you a lot of trouble in the spring, and you can get back on the road with peace of mind.
Checklist
Find our checklist so you don't forget anything when preparing your van for winter:
Download the Checklist for winterizing your van
Want to extend the adventure even in winter?
Discover our best tips for traveling in a van during the cold season!
Find all our tips for a successful winter road trip in our dedicated article. It's here: 15 vanlife tips for a winter road trip.
We hope you find these tips for winterizing your van useful and that your vehicle will be in perfect condition in the spring.
Do you have any other tips for preparing your van for winter?
Share them with us, we will be happy to discuss them!
Do not hesitate to contact us by email or join us on our social networks.
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