How to Prepare Your Van for Storage: A Guide to Placing your van into Storage Mode, Draining Water Tanks and Venting Fridges

Preparing your van for storage is an essential task that ensures your vehicle stays in good condition and is ready to hit the road when you need it. Proper preparation involves draining water tanks, isolating batteries, and venting fridges, among other things. In this article, we'll provide you with some tips and recommendations for preparing your van for long-term storage.

Storage Mode

Select Touring mode for normal use of the caravan.  Select Storage mode when not using the caravan for extended periods and ensure that main power is connected to the external inlet or that the caravan solar panels are positioned to accept sunlight, as to keep the storage batteries at optimum charge.

The Manager Alpha will continue to charge the batteries while in Storage mode.  The system will automatically switch to Touring mode when the tow vehicle Anderson plug is connected and live.

Draining Water Tanks

Before storing your van, it's crucial to drain the freshwater and grey water tanks to prevent stagnant water from building up and causing mould or other problems. To do this, locate the bung plug on the side of each tank and unscrew it to allow the water to drain out. Once drained, resecure the bung plug, making sure it's snug but not overtightened.

Venting Fridges

To avoid mould and odours building up in your fridge, turn off the power button at the top of the fridge or manually turn it off at Red Vision. Allow the fridge to get down to ambient temperature, then wipe out any residual moisture thoroughly and leave the fridge open off the seal. This will allow the fridge to breathe and prevent any mould or odours from developing.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent mould and other problems from building up in your van during storage. Open windows and hatches to the vent position, making sure the catchers have a multi-position lock to allow the window to remain open while still locked for security. Also, consider opening up the roof vents in the main dinette area and the ensuite area by turning the crank handle. The more ventilation you can provide, the better.

In conclusion, properly preparing your van for storage is essential to ensure it remains in good condition and is ready to hit the road when you need it. Follow the tips and recommendations outlined in this article, and consult your owner's manual or a professional for any specific instructions or guidance.