When you spend most of the summer enjoying your caravan, the best way to make sure you can repeat your experiences next year is to store it correctly. From finding the right caravan storage facility to preventing damp, here are some tips for keeping yours safe:
Consider what you want from a storage facility
Looking through different storage facilities before deciding what yours will ideally feature can feel messy. Rather than diving in head first, consider what yours should have in advance.
Some factors to think about include:
- Whether you want open caravan storage or a lock-up facility
- Is CCTV an essential factor?
- How far are you willing to travel to the storage site?
Security should always be high on your list of considerations. In addition to CCTV, focus on whether you want the facility to have a well-manned presence and how robust the fences should be before you feel comfortable leaving your caravan there.
Perform a hygiene check
Before placing your caravan into storage, check it thoroughly for perishable items and spillages. An innocuous food stain could produce mould while you're away, so clear cooking areas and fridges thoroughly. You may also want to air your fridge throughout the storage period by leaving it open and securing the door with a catch.
Secure all points of entry
If you're in the habit of leaving your windows off the latch and not locking them, now's the time to change that. Although all good storage facilities will keep your caravan as secure as possible, you need to do your part too. This means locking all windows and doors, as well as removing valuables from the caravan itself.
Prevent your brakes from seizing
Leaving your caravan in storage for a long period means there's a risk of the brakes seizing. However, there are ways to stop that from happening without returning every so often to use it briefly. Chock all the wheels and release the handbrake. Ensure the caravan is fully secure after doing this and let the storage facility owner know what you've done.
Introduce damp remediation techniques
Damp remediation doesn't require a lot of effort, but the small steps you take right now go a long way in the future. In addition to adding silica gel sachets and silica powered dehumidifiers to culprit areas, reseal all window gaps and place furniture cushions into airtight bags. If you want to remain extra vigilant and you have the time, return on a monthly basis to open the windows to air it or ask the storage facility owner if they offer such services.
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