Caravan and Motorhome Winterisation Checklist

Who this is for

Lay the van up once, properly. The list works through the water system, heater, gas, electrics, fridge, interior, tyres, security and paperwork, with space at the foot for faults found and jobs to book before spring.

Caravan and motorhome owners laying up for the winter, whether on the drive, in a storage compound or at a seasonal pitch, and anyone doing it for the first time.

What this helps you track

• Every tap, pump, tank and heater drained before the frosts
• Gas isolated and the leisure battery looked after while stored
• Fridge, cushions and soft furnishings left to stay dry and fresh
• Tyres, cover, ventilation and security sorted for the lay-up
• Where the documents and keys are for the spring

How to use it

1. Write the van, where it is being stored, the date and who is doing the work.
2. Work through each section in order, ticking each line as it is done and noting anything you did differently, such as where the battery went.
3. Follow the drain-down and lay-up procedure in your van's handbook; the list is a reminder of what to cover, not how to do it.
4. Write faults you find in the notes area so they can be booked in before spring.
5. Keep the sheet with the van's documents; the de-winterisation checklist picks up from it in spring.

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

Does the list tell me how to drain the water system?

No. Drain points, heater valves and pump arrangements differ between makes and years, so follow your van's handbook. The list makes sure no part of the system is missed.

Should I take the leisure battery out?

It depends on where the van is stored and whether it has a charger or solar panel. Check your battery and van makers' advice, and note what you did so it is clear in spring.

Can I use it for a boat?

Parts of it, but boats have their own lay-up jobs such as engine and seacock work. The winter lay-up and launch checklist on the printable sheets is written for boats.

How does this link to the spring checklist?

The de-winterisation checklist runs the same areas in reverse, so the notes you make now tell you what to reconnect, refit and check before the first trip.