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auto-trail.co.uk
T H E
‘ N E X T G E N E R A T I O N ’
Winter Laying Up
W
inter Lay Up
16.
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 normal regular maintenance has been covered in the
preceding pages.
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.
One of the dangers is storing in one position with slightly deflated tyres.
The walls are bound to suffer and present you with a risk of blowouts.
This is especially true if you go to the continent and travel at faster speeds
than permitted in the UK. You should turn the wheels every couple of
weeks or remove them altogether. Do not jack the vehicle on its corner
steadies, use a conventional car jack then lower it onto wooden blocks
or axle stands.
All moving parts should be checked for free operation and lubricated
accordingly. This includes corner steadies, handbrake, linkages, brakes etc.
Prevention is better than cure therefore it is recommended that the complete
coupling and brake drums are covered with a plastic bag and tied at the
end to prevent moisture accumulating.
It is important that the water system is drained off during freezing weather
when the motorhome is not in use or after the last trip out of the season.
Failure to do this could result in serious damage to components.
Frost damage is not covered by warranty, it is the owner's
responsibility to take reasonable precautions.
To drain off:
• Open drain cock on main tank.
• Drain the heater.
• Open any drain cocks in pipe.
• Open all taps and leave open.
• Wait five minutes.
• Run pump
• Drain cassette toilet (see instructions)
Consult all water component
manufacturer's handbooks.
Before starting to use your motorhome
after a long lay off, check all gas appliances,
points and electric's.
Mains warning: Once a year (recommended)
the electrical installation should be inspected
and tested by a qualified electrician.
It is recommended that the upholstery is
removed from the vehicle before placing
your vehicle into winter storage.
The curtains should also be drawn to
prevent discolouration of the furniture etc.
The water system should be flushed through with sterilising fluid prior to
laying up and again before the next use. It is recommended that the
cupboard doors are left open to allow air to fully circulate.
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a major accident, your dealer has the
equipment and training to undertake most types of repair
