Caravan and Motorhome De-Winterisation Checklist

Who this is for

Recommission the van before the first trip. The list brings the water system, heater, gas, battery, electrics, fridge, tyres, lights and safety kit back into use, and a faults table records anything that needs sorting before you go.

Caravan and motorhome owners bringing a van out of winter storage, and anyone collecting a van that has stood unused for a long spell.

What this helps you track

• Water system refilled, flushed and checked for leaks
• Heater, gas and fridge tested before you rely on them
• Battery, hook-up and lights working
• Tyres, hitch and damp checked before the van moves
• Faults found and what is being done about each

How to use it

1. Write the van, today's date and the date of the first trip, which sets how long you have to fix anything.
2. Work through the sections, ticking each line and noting anything odd.
3. Follow your van's handbook for refilling, flushing and testing, and use a qualified engineer for gas and habitation work.
4. Write each fault in the table with the action and who will do it, and tick it off when done.
5. Fill it in on paper or in the browser version, which saves in your own browser.

Formats

• Printable PDF (A4 and US Letter)
• Fillable PDF with form fields
• Fill in online, saved in your browser

The printable is laid out inside a box that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the two files are identical and neither one is scaled. The fillable PDF has real form fields. The online version keeps what you enter in your own browser and builds the completed PDF on your device.

How to print

Download the A4 or US Letter file to match the paper in your printer, open it in a PDF reader and print at 100% — not "fit to page", which shrinks the writing space. Both files leave a 14 mm margin, which clears the unprintable edge on home printers. To print the online version with your entries in it, use the Print this sheet button, which prints only the sheet and none of the page around it. More on printing.

Questions

Should I do a gas check myself?

You can look for obvious damage and check that appliances light. Anything more, and any suspected leak, is a job for a qualified engineer. Check the rules where you are and your van maker's advice.

What should the tyre check cover?

Pressures set to the figures in your handbook, and a look at the sidewalls, tread and date codes after the lay-up. The tyre age and pressure record keeps the history from one season to the next.

What if I find damp?

Write where and what you found in the faults table. Readings, if you have a meter, are worth recording against the same spot each year. Book a proper check if it looks like more than surface condensation.

Is this the same as a habitation check?

No. A habitation check is a service carried out by an engineer. This is the owner's own run-through, and it is a sensible way to spot things to mention when the service is booked.