Caravan storage
It’s likely you’ll have a lot of fond memories attached to your caravan. That’s why keeping your beloved space protected from risks like theft, damage and general wear and tear is so important when it’s in storage. And of course there's the fact that caravans aren’t a cheap asset, and damage can cost you a fair amount to put right.
Thankfully, putting your caravan safely into storage doesn’t have to be overly complicated. With the following guide, you’ll be completely clear on where your caravan can be stored inside or outside of the home, how much it might cost and everything you need to do to prepare for putting your caravan into storage.
Where can I store my caravan?
There are several options for storing your caravan, whether you’d prefer to keep it at home or elsewhere.
1. A home driveway
This is perhaps the easiest and cheapest option for caravan storage. If you’re keen to keep a close eye on your caravan, it’s hard to beat a driveway. The only downside is that placing your caravan on a front-facing driveway, especially in an urban area, increases the risk that thieves might identify and target your caravan. Living in a Neighbourhood Watch area or a location with watchful neighbours can help to lessen this risk.
Before you park up your caravan on your driveway for good, you should also check whether there are local bylaws in force. Some bylaws restrict residents from parking a caravan on their driveway, so you should avoid doing this unless you want a hefty fine.
If you’re renting a home, your landlord may have specific terms in your rental agreement that prevent you from parking a caravan on the driveway. You should check your rental agreement to make sure that this is permitted too.
2. A home garage
A garage is a more secure option than a driveway for storing your caravan at home, as long as it fits safely inside. Rather than leaving things up to chance, and most likely winding up with a scratched roof, always check the measurements of your caravan against the dimensions of your garage and leave at least a few feet or more around the walls and roof for manoeuvring.
Your garage will provide shelter from the elements, making damage from the rain, wind or storms unlikely. However, you’ll need to make sure that there’s little chance of household members getting access and causing damage while storing garden or home equipment elsewhere in the garage.
You may want to fit your garage with an alarm system or CCTV cameras to enhance your security measures, especially if it’s accessible by lock and key, which can be easy for thieves to break into.
3. A secure storage site
If you’re lacking on space at home or you’d prefer to keep your caravan somewhere entirely separate, a secure storage site might be a good solution. These are very popular because of their enhanced safety features.
You could select a storage site that’s close to a location you frequently visit on your holidays to save yourself towing the caravan back and forth every time you visit. Otherwise, a storage site close to home will make it easy to check in on your caravan regularly and take it out for adventures all across the country.
Details you should look for out of a secure storage site include:
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A fully enclosed perimeter with features such as tall fencing or barbed wires.
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Limited access to the site through one to three access points.
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Access points locked by an accessible card rather than a code.
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CCTV cameras to capture any crime on camera.
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An effective alarm system to discourage thieves.
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Good lighting.
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Minimal greenery and bushes that could hide intruders.
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Equipped with fire extinguishers and other fire safety measures.
Some storage units may keep your caravan under cover, rather than out in the open air. These are slightly more expensive. However, they provide better protection from the wind, rain and storms, which could cause damage to your caravan and increase general wear and tear. They also keep your caravan away from any prying eyes.
4. A seasonal pitch
Some campsites and touring sites provide caravan storage in the form of a seasonal pitch. This means booking sole use of pitch for months at a time or an entire season, rather than just a couple of days or a week.
If you decide to store your caravan on a seasonal pitch for just one season, you’ll need to find alternative storage solutions for the remainder of the year. Otherwise, a site that is open year-round will often offer seasonal rates that cover your storage for the entire year.
They’re typically available at a fixed price, meaning that you’ll be free to visit your caravan in a location you like whenever you want and reduce the amount of time and effort spent towing your caravan. The downside of this option is that you might feel limited to one location.
When you’re looking into a seasonal pitch, it’s a good idea to check out what security measures the site has. As with storage units, good safety measures include CCTV, alarm systems, fencing and gated entry and exit points. It may help to know that the campsite is busy, which is usually a deterrent for thieves and vandals, or that the owners live on site to keep a watchful eye over your pitch. Some bigger sites may have dedicated security teams too.
How much does it cost to store a caravan?
A home driveway: Unless a landlord or private property owner requests an additional fee for parking on the driveway, there should be no cost to storing your caravan on a home driveway.
A home garage: Storing a caravan in a home garage is also cost-free. You may need to take into account any extra costs for security measures such as CCTV cameras and alarm systems.
Secure storage units: The cost of storing your caravan in a secure storage unit will depend upon its location, the size of your caravan and the length of time you will be storing your caravan. You should expect to pay between £170 and £300 for six months’ storage at a secure storage unit.
Seasonal pitches: The price of a seasonal pitch will also vary depending on the location and the specific site’s prices. You might expect to pay around £2,000 to £4,000 per year.
What you need to do before putting your caravan in storage
Preparing to put your caravan in storage is all about making sure that it’s fully secure and prepared for a long period of rest.
1. Check your caravan insurance.
Wherever you choose to store your caravan, you should always check that the storage location complies with the conditions set out in your caravan insurance to make sure that it's covered in the event of damage or theft.
2. Remove any gas bottles.
The last thing you want is a fire breaking out in your caravan and your caravan storage location. Gas bottles should be stored in a secure locked compound, away from your caravan.
3. Empty your caravan of food and other perishable goods.
Returning to a caravan with a stench won’t be an ideal way to begin your next trip. Rotting food could also attract rodents, which can damage your caravan or infiltrate the interior if it’s not fully secure. You might want to give your caravan a full spring clean while you’re at it so that it’s fresh upon your return.
4. Remove any valuables and personal belongings.
Take any valuables and personal belongings with you to ensure that they aren’t at risk while your caravan is in storage. Closing any curtains or blinds will also help to keep your furniture and belongings safe from any onlookers.
5. Drain any water from your caravan.
In cold weather, water in your caravan’s pipes can freeze, causing a blockage. This type of frost damage also puts your caravan at a higher risk of flooding.
To prevent this from happening, drain down your caravan by turning off the water supply, adding antifreeze to your pipes and running any showers or taps (and flushing any toilets) until there’s no water left in the pipes.
6. Drain down your water heater.
Water heaters also need to be drained down. How you drain your water heater will depend upon the design, so you should read the drain-down instructions for your particular water heater to make sure that you don’t cause any damage.
7. Remove the leisure battery.
As long as it’s not hooked up to any alarms or GPS trackers, it’s a good idea to take any leisure battery out of your caravan and charge it at home ready for your next trip.
8. Use a wheel chock to secure your caravan.
Leaving your caravan’s handbrake on can contribute to brake seizure when it’s stored away for a long time. Instead, you should take the handbrake off after using metal or heavy wooden wheel chocks to prevent the caravan wheels from moving.
9. Secure the windows and roof lights.
Part of making sure that your caravan is secure is ensuring that the windows and roof lights are fully secured. This removes any other points of entry for thieves or animals.
10. Consider using safety features such as wheel locks or alarm systems.
If you’re storing your caravan at home or you don’t want to rely completely upon a storage unit’s security measures, one way to protect your caravan is by using safety features such as a wheel clamp or an alarm system.
11. Check your caravan for any damage.
If you’re using a secure storage unit or a seasonal pitch to store your caravan, you should thoroughly inspect your caravan for any damage. Document your caravan’s condition by taking photographs and making notes so that you have any evidence upon your return in case your caravan is damaged or marked during storage.
12. Consider fitting a caravan cover.
A caravan cover adds an extra layer of safety and protection to your caravan by preventing scratches and other damage and helping to keep out animals and thieves. If your caravan is stored outside, waterproof caravan covers can help to prevent wear and tear from bad weather conditions too.
13. Check that your caravan is locked.
Checking that your caravan is locked is a simple step, but one that is easy to overlook. Always double check that your caravan is locked. Then store your keys in a safe place at home, such as a drawer or a safe.
With your caravan safely stored away, you’ll be able to plan your next touring caravan holiday with peace of mind.