12. Maintenance and Care
198
12.6 Winter Lay Up for the Motor home
The following applies for the external structure
• Wash the mobile home thoroughly (
see 12.5
).
• Check the vehicle for damages to the varnish and other
damages. If necessary, repair these damages and carry
out any other necessary repairs.
For many people, the camping season ends when the tem-
perature starts to fall. Your mobile home must be properly
prepared for its winter lay up.
The following general rules apply
• Only leave your mobile home in a closed space if it is dry
and well-aired. Otherwise, it is better to leave your motor
home in the open.
• To protect the tyres, jack up the mobile home or move it
slightly to a new position every two months.
• Close all gas bottles and emergency shutoff valves.
• Disconnect (or, ideally, remove) the battery and store it
safe from frost. Check it about once a month to see if it is
still charged; if not, charge it.
• Check the antifreeze in the cooling system and, if neces
-
sary, top it up.
• Leave space between tarpaulins and the camper so as not
to hamper ventilation.
• The exterior should be treated with wax or a special polish
for varnish.
• Use a protective agent to protect the metal parts of the
chassis against rust.
• Check the chassis for damage and, if necessary, repair it.
• Ensure that no water can get into the venting on the floor,
heating system and refrigerator venting (mount winter
covers
*
).
The following applies for tanks and containers:
• Clean, disinfect, descale and completely empty all water
pipes and faucets. Leave faucets open.
• Clean and empty the fresh water tank (see Chapter 8 Water).
• Clean and empty the waste water tank.
• Clean and empty the toilet flushing tank and the excre
-
ment tank. Clean the toilet valve, apply a lubricant for
seals and leave it open.
• Completely empty the therme/boiler.
• If your motor home is equipped with a hot-water heater:
rinse the water heater thoroughly and empty all of the
water.