Winter Laying Up - Auto-Trail Excel Owner's Handbook Manual

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Winter Laying Up

Winter Laying Up
Whether you use your motorhome all year
round or lay it up for the winter, care should
always be taken to ensure your investment
is receiving the very best attention.
The following tips will be helpful for the periods
when your motorhome is not regularly used.
It applies if you store in a compound away
from home, or in your own drive.
Tyres
Care should be taken to ensure that your
vehicle is not stored with slightly deflated
tyres as this could cause damage to the
side walls that could lead to an accident
when driving at speed.
Ideally you should rotate your wheels every
couple of weeks to try to eliminate flat
spots developing.
Water System
It is important that the water system is drained
off during the winter months to avoid freezing
when the motorhome is not in use or after the
last trip of the season. Failure to do this could
result in serious damage to components.
T A K E Y O U R S O N A N A D V E N T U R E
To Drain Off
• Open the drain valve on the fresh water tank
to ensure it is fully empty.
• Open the drain valve on the waste tank to
ensure it is fully empty (only drain into a
suitable container).
• Open all taps inside the vehicle and
leave open.
• Open the drain valve inside the vehicle to
empty the water heater and empty the
pipe work inside the vehicle.
• Allow the vehicle to drain in this way for
five minutes, then run the pump to ensure
it is free of water.
• Empty cassette toilet (see manufacturers
instructions).
Soft Furnishings / Furniture
It is recommended that the upholstery is
removed from the vehicle if at all possible
during winter storage to avoid damp. If this is
not possible then it should be stood on its end
to allow as much air as possible to circulate.
Leave all cupboard doors open to allow the
maximum amount of air to circulate around
the vehicle.