Page 25 - Transporter Talk Issue 144

Transporter Talk No 144
attention to the kitchen or cooking area, food storage cupboards and fridge. Mould can grow, creating all manner of problems and rats and mice could be attracted to forgotten food items.
 If possible, remove bedding or bedding covers for cleaning and then store indoors until next required.
 Consider the use of mousetraps during the winter to stop vermin in their tracks. While your van hibernates, rats and mice can ruin that lovely interior of your camper van.
 If you store your van inside, leave the windows open an inch to allow for air circulation, this should prevent damp and mould from developing.
 If you store your van outside, when possible on those dry days, open the windows or leave the side door open for the same reasons. (Don’t forget to close them again and lock up!)
Outside:
 Generally, it is advisable not to store your vehicle under a tarpaulin. They can stop the air from circulating around and can cause mould to develop inside the camper.
 If you are desperate to use a tarpaulin, maybe create a frame to stretch it over to prevent it touching your camper and allowing air to circulate underneath.
 The ideal place to leave your camper van is inside a covered building. However, this isn’t always practical or possible! Could you rent a building or borrow a friend’s garage for the winter?
 Check the tyre pressures before storing and consider placing your camper van on axle stands to stop the tyres from deteriorating.
This is pretty extreme though and would generally be for storage over long durations.
 Moving parts such as door hinges and mechanical parts should be lubricated which will keep them
moving and repel water.
 Make sure your camper van is clean before you store it away as dirt retains moisture that can lead to rust.
 Don’t be tempted to regularly start your engine which can deposit moisture in the engine oil and exhaust system. Start it at least once a month and ensure the engine runs for 30 minutes on idle and rev the engine periodically.
 Consider changing the oil just before you store your camper and if leaving the vehicle for an extended period of time, try and keep the main vehicle battery charged.
Please send any questions for The Mechanic to:
mechanic.vwt2oc@icloud.com
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