If you’re the proud owner of a static caravan, congratulations! Having a holiday home to escape to is one of the joys of life, and a static caravan is a good investment for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle.

While our residential caravans for sale in Cumbria and static caravans in North Yorkshire welcome owners year-round, what happens if you prefer to close up your caravan for the winter?

In today’s guide, we’ll cover every aspect of static caravan winter preparation so your holiday home is ready to welcome you when the good weather returns.

Why is it important to prepare a static caravan for winter?

Winter in Northern England often brings freezing temperatures and challenging weather, making winterising a static caravan a must-do for owners. Preparing your static caravan means you can minimise any weather-induced damage and prevent any seized-up parts from causing you trouble when you next visit your holiday home.

Let’s take a closer look at how to prepare your static caravan for winter so you don’t have any nasty surprises, like a burst pipe or damp mattress, on your next visit. That’s the last thing any holiday homeowner needs to worry about.

How to close down a static caravan for winter

Knowing how to prepare a static caravan for winter should be at the top of your list before bad weather sets in. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Remove valuables and soft furnishings

Start by taking home any valuable or soft furnishings that can’t be secured. That includes bedding, gaming consoles, and TVs. If you don’t have space for soft furnishings in your car, you can store and protect them until your next visit using inexpensive vacuum bags or protective covers.

2. Check your heating system

Before you lock up for the season, it’s time to give your caravan’s heating system a bit of TLC. 

Firstly, ensure that your heating is turned off properly to avoid costly heating charges while away from your holiday home. If you’re in a particularly cold climate, like Northern England, you could consider draining your radiators and boilers to avoid frozen pipes. 

Remember — a quick maintenance check now can save you from costly repairs when you come back in the warmer seasons.

3. Unplug your appliances

Unplug any appliances and turn off all switches before you turn the electricity off at your meter. If you use bottled gas, disconnect the bottles and store them in a dry, well-ventilated place to prevent gas leaks.

4. Give everything a thorough clean

A thorough cleaning is an essential part of your static winter caravan preparation. Wipe down all surfaces to remove all traces of food and drink before cleaning from top to bottom to eliminate unpleasant smells and growths. 

Don’t just stop at the inside — clear away any leaves or blockages from your guttering and check for leaks. You’ll be glad you made the effort when you return and everything looks spick-and-span.

5. Drain it down

Draining down your static caravan is essential to prevent leaks and frozen pipes. Locate the stopcock, open all the taps, flush the toilet, and run the shower until the system has no remaining water. 

Top up the toilet cistern and bowl, shower hole, and sink with anti-freeze or a specialist caravan drain down kit to prevent freezing and cracking, then disconnect and empty the shower head to laminate nasty smells.

6. Cover it up

Investing in a caravan cover for winter protection is a good idea, especially if your static uses timber in its construction. Covers provide inexpensive caravan winter protection if the weather gets challenging during the winter months at our Silloth holiday park or our private static caravan sites near Whitby. 

7. Air it out

Before you close your holiday home caravan down for the winter, give it one final airing. Opening all the doors and windows helps remove any lingering odours and prevents mould and dampness.

Before you lock up, move any furniture away from the walls to let air circulate, leave all internal cupboards, drawers and doors open, and switch off the fridge, leaving the fridge door ajar.

Tips and tricks for keeping your static caravan in great condition over the winter

Winterising your holiday home doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s our checklist of handy static caravan tips and tricks for this winter:

  • Place seat cushions and mattresses on their ends to encourage air circulation and prevent dampness.
  • Check your door and window seals for signs of cracks or perishing, and make a note to replace them if needed.
  • Run a dehumidifier for 48 hours, and then use dehumidifier crystals to remove excess moisture while you’re away.
  • Use a wintering fluid on the exterior to prevent grime and algae.
  • Clean out any air vents to improve airflow and prevent dampness and mould.
  • Check your insurance for specific caravan winter protection guidelines.
  • Lag any water and heating pipes for extra protection during cold seasons.

Get your Eden Parks holiday home ready for your next visit

If you already own one of our durable static caravans, it will already be in good shape to withstand the worst of the great British weather. 

Looking to invest in a static caravan holiday home? Our buyer’s Guide will help you choose the right caravan for your needs.

Download our brochure and browse our static caravans for sale in Silloth and lodges for sale in Yorkshire. 

Want to explore the best the British countryside has to offer with a hassle-free holiday home? Contact us today to arrange a viewing of our holiday homes at either of our locations.