2. Laying up your 'van
Rodents feasting on electrical wires, mould growing in the fridge, gas and water frozen in the pipes and the pumps… That sounds like a basket case – a motorhome that you wouldn't even consider buying as the risk would be just too great. But it's not for sale – it's your trusty motorhome that you simply didn't get to use over the winter months. Stored at your local secure storage site it was easy to forget about it while you basked in the comfort and heat of your own home.
Now, though, you want to use your 'van again as the weather starts to get a bit warmer. But sadly, you now have a list of problems to sort out first, and all because you forgot to follow a few simple rules and procedures to ensure that your 'van was unaffected by the winter cold snap. From draining your water and gas systems, to sorting ventilation and ensuring your battery has enough charge to jump your 'van into life come spring, in this section, we cover all you need to know.

Engine bay
Like many owners who lay their 'van up over winter, you may be considering storing it in a barn or other rural location. If you do so, watch out for uninvited guests. Mice and other small animals are notorious in the classic car world for making their nests somewhere in the vehicles, and your motorhome is no different. An easy entry for hibernating furries is through the engine bay. So, as the underside is exposed in many 'vans it's a good idea to just cover up the base to prevent this from happening – it's only a temporary measure so you can use something as simple as thick, polythene sheeting. Just remember to remove it when using your 'van again.

Door and window seals
Before leaving your 'van for the last time check all the rubber seals on windows, doors and exterior lockers/hatches. If they are showing signs of ill fitting or perishing, now is the time to fit replacements. This will prevent water ingress and, most importantly, the damp that it causes. Most seals can either be bought from the original vehicle or base manufacturer, or you can upgrade the seals by buying them from a specialist trimmer who offers a variety of designs, thicknesses and materials.

Brakes and wheels
The last thing you want to find when you come to move your 'van after winter is for the components to have frozen together. So, don't leave the handbrake on over the winter: leave the 'van in gear, release the handbrake and chock the rear wheels. And, because the 'van will be stationary for so long you should check the tyre pressures, to avoid flatspots (there are products on the market which will fit under the wheels to alleviate this problem). The other option is to put your 'van up on axle stands and remove the wheels. Finally, you should check your tread depths and buy new tyres if necessary.

Habitation checks
Just like when you leave your house and its appliances unattended for a period of time, it advisable to leave the fridge and freezer doors slightly ajar over your lay-up period. This stops the formation of moisture and the subsequent mould. If you feel it necessary you can buy moisture absorbing products, similar to silica gel, that will soak up any moisture within the atmosphere and help safeguard against mould in your motorhome's interior. Get your oven and hob checked professionally, to ensure that it is safe and you can re-use your 'van after winter with no fear of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Battery
Constantly trickle charging a battery means that it is likely to overcharge (and may even explode), but leaving the power-pack un-attended over winter may drain it completely. There are two options. First, you can run the engine occasionally (in which case it is advisable to move the 'van backwards and forwards a little to prevent any driveline parts seizing in cold weather). Second, you can trickle charge the battery occasionally, keeping an eye on the charge so as not to let it reach a dangerous level. If you have an alarm system fitted to your 'van, this may contribute to power drainage but beware of disconnecting it as it may invalidate your insurance.

Ventilation
You might be tempted to block every hole and vent in your 'van in a bid to weatherproof it, but this could be a bad move. Motorhomes are built with constant ventilation in mind and when this is removed you end up with condensation, which can lead to damp. With respect to this, it is a good idea to remove all the cushions from your seat bases to allow air to circulate. And, leave locker doors and cubbies open to prevent condensation forming within. If you have an A-class 'van, pull the bed down to achieve a better airflow around it. Also, if you're worried about water ingress, work out where the water may enter and block these locations if you feel it's necessary. To safeguard against foreign objects such as foliage and insects, use a fine mesh to cover vents, which will bar the 'unwanteds' but still allow air to circulate.

Draining
Drain all the water from your 'van before closing its doors for the winter lay-up. Just like an unattended house, if you leave water in your systems it is likely to freeze, bursting pipes and pumps alike. Depending on the age of your 'van, and the equipment fitted, the procedure will vary. In older models, with Carver-style equipment, you will need to drain manually by opening the hot water taps until the system runs dry. When doing this, make sure you open all taps, and don't forget the shower. On more modern 'vans with Truma-style fittings you will only have to activate the dump valve to drain down.