How to Winterise Your Motorhome and Campervan: Complete 2026 Guide

Winter in the UK hits different when you own a motorhome or campervan. One minute you’re cruising through Cornwall, the next your pipes are frozen, your battery’s sulking, and your van suddenly sounds like it’s complaining about the weather.

Winterising isn’t glamorous, but it’s the one thing that saves your motorhome from turning into a very expensive ice cube. So let’s walk through this guide that actually helps you winterise motorhome and campervan for 2026.

Why is Winterising Essential for Your Motorhome or Campervan?

UK winters aren’t just cold. They’re damp, sneaky, and unforgiving. Leaving your motorhome unprepared means risking cracked pipes, mouldy interiors, dead batteries, and repairs that cost more than your last holiday.

Whether your pride and joy is a family camper or one of those shiny luxury holiday homes UK travellers dream about, winter care is non-negotiable. And yes, this applies whether you own the van outright or use a rental one. Winter doesn’t care. It will attack all of them equally.

Step 1: Drain All the Water

Let’s start with the bit people always forget: water. It freezes. It expands. It destroys things. Open taps, run the pump, and let every last drop escape. If you skip this part, you’ll be googling “why is my water tank cracked?” by February. Empty everything:

• Waste tank
• Exterior shower
• Fresh water tank
• Hot water heater
• Toilet flush system

Step 2: Deep Clean Before the Cold Arrives

Cold weather traps smells. Food crumbs attract uninvited wildlife. And moisture creates mould faster than you’d expect. Give your campervan a full clean. It’s not fun, but your future self will thank you when you open the door in March and it smells fresh instead of funky.

• Remove all food
• Hoover every corner
• Clean cupboards and bins
• Shake out bedding and soft furnishings
• Wipe down the fridge and keep the door slightly open

Step 3: Protect the Pipes and Plumbing

If you live in a region where temperatures drop below zero, add non-toxic antifreeze designed for motorhomes. It protects pipes, taps, and pumps. Don’t use car antifreeze, wrong formula, wrong job. Run the antifreeze through the system until it shows in every tap. It’s cheap insurance and saves a big headache later.

Step 4: Show Your Battery Some Love

Batteries hate the cold. They drain faster and die sooner. For motorhome engines, start the vehicle once a month or use a trickle charger. Here’s how to avoid heartbreak:

• Disconnect the leisure battery
• Charge it fully before storage
• Store it in a dry place if you can
• Top it up every few weeks

Step 5: Ventilate Without Freezing

It sounds wild, but airflow matters even in winter. A sealed van builds condensation, which leads to mould. This tiny step keeps your van from turning into a science experiment. So:

• Keep roof vents slightly open
• Use moisture traps or dehumidifier tubs
• Leave cupboard doors open so air circulates

Step 6: Look After the Exterior

You can’t winterise a motorhome and campervan without giving the outside some love too. If you skip waxing, you’ll see streaks and weather damage by spring.

• Wash and wax the exterior to protect the paint
• Cover the van with a breathable winter cover
• Check the roof for cracks or loose seals
• Inspect window rubber trims
• Lubricate locks and hinges

Step 7: Secure the Interior

You don’t want anything collapsing, bouncing, or cracking during temperature changes.

• Take out anything that can freeze (cleaning sprays, toiletries)
• Pull blinds down halfway to reduce interior sun damage
• Remove gas bottles or turn them fully off
• Close skylights properly
• Lock cupboards

Step 8: Choose the Right Storage Spot

Parking your motorhome anywhere won’t cut it. If you’re using motorhomes hire or working with companies that offer secure rentals, many of them provide winter storage solutions as well. Worth checking if you don’t have space at home. Ideal storage has:

• Shade
• Protection from wind
• Hard-standing surface
• Security cameras or gated access

Step 9: Don’t Forget Your Tyres

Cold temperatures cause tyres to lose pressure. Flat spots on tyres are no fun when spring road trip season returns. Do this before storage:

• Inflate tyres to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI
• Use wheel chocks instead of the handbrake
• Move the vehicle every few weeks

Step 10: Make a Spring Checklist

Before you shut the van for the winter, leave a note inside. In the future, you will open the note and whisper, “Thank you, genius.” List the things you need to check in spring inside the note:

• Inspect seals and the roof
• Reconnect batteries
• Sanitise the system
• Restock bedding
• Test electrics
• Check tyres
• Refill water

Bonus Tips to Winterise Motorhome and Campervan Like a Pro

• Use breathable covers on soft furnishings
• Add a rodent deterrent if parking outdoors
• Remove window screens to prevent cracking
• Keep the fuel tank half-full to reduce condensation

Final Thoughts

When you winterise motorhome and campervan, it isn’t just maintenance, it’s a love language. It’s how you protect the freedom on wheels that takes you across the UK, from the Highlands to Cornwall.

Whether you bought your van from a motorhome for sale listing or rented one, prepping it for winter saves you money and stress. Do it once, do it right, and come spring, your motorhome will be ready for new adventures without any winter-damage drama.

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