Which kind of caravanner are you – do you prefer to put your tourer away for the winter, safe in storage, or do you keep touring all year?
No matter which you choose, you’ll know that UK winters can be hard on our tourers. Algae and salt and mud on the roads can play havoc with exteriors, while you’ll also need to make sure that your interior is well prepped for the cold. Winterising a caravan and having it in storage and out of your sight also means you’ll need to take security more seriously than ever.
I’ve been the editor of Practical Caravan for six years now, so I’ve seen a few caravanning winters come and go. With that in mind, here I’ve compiled a round-up of great winter products that every caravan owner should have in their basket this Prime Day – if you’ve not checked it out yet, don’t miss our round-up of the best Prime Day caravan accessory deals either.
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UniBond AERO 360º Moisture Absorber was £12 now £9.59
Leaving your caravan locked up in one place for an extended period can sometimes lead to damp issues – it’s important to make sure that it’s aired during the winter. That said, some form of dehumidifier can certainly help, and this one from UniBond is good value – it actually makes its way into our best caravan dehumidifier guide. It requires no electric power and is suitable for rooms up to 20 metres-squared, making it ideal for use in the confines of a tourer. One refill should last up to three months, and can help eliminate bad odours, too. I have one of these units at home, in an outdoor office – it’s proved very effective in helping keep damp at bay.
MAIKEHIGH Wheel Clamp was £28.99 now £24.64
We haven’t tested this wheel clamp, so can’t vouch for its quality, but it’s a good price on Prime Day and has reasonable reviews, too – users have commented on its apparent sturdiness and ease of installation. It certainly looks the part – its black and red colour scheme are likely to act as a good visual deterrent – and handily it comes with three keys. Simply undo the unit via the key, then attach it around your caravan’s wheel and fasten the lock, again via the key. The PVC coating around the steel core should help prevent any damage to your wheels when it’s being fitted.
HLS Supplies Caravan Cleaner 5L was £19.99 now £16.99
Whether you’re continuing to tour over the winter or giving your caravan a well-earned break, it’s a great idea to give it a thorough clean before the bad weather hits, to help keep it in the best condition possible. For that you’ll need a good shampoo, ideally one that’s dedicated to leisure vehicles rather than just for automotive use.
I spotted this big container of cleaning products on sale for Prime Day – it’s currently available at 15% off RRP – and I reckon it’s worth a go, thanks to its great reviews. It claims to be able to remove all types of dirt across the various surfaces of your caravan, and it’s a five-litre bottle too, which should keep you going for a while.
Gtech Multi MK2 was £169.99 now £128.99
While we’re on the subject of cleaning your caravan, it’s important to ensure that the interior is as clean as the exterior before the winter – that way you’ll not only have a tidy van to return to in the spring, you’ll also remove crumbs that might attract rodents or insects over the colder months. The Gtech Multi MK2 vacuum would make the ideal tool in a tourer: it’s cordless and handheld, so you can work your way around the van with ease. Just four hours’ charge should give you 20 minutes of cleaning time, and the unit weighs just 1.5kg, so it’s easy to handle.
Yale Alarm was £19.99 now £11.99
This neat, compact, standalone alarm is currently available at a 40% discount for Prime Day, so we reckon it’s perhaps worth considering to help boost your tourer’s security arsenal this winter. It’s wire-free, and can be floor-mounted or hung on the wall; if anyone enters the 12m detection zone a very loud, 100dB siren will sound, unless the PIN code (which you can choose yourself) is entered within 10 seconds. It’s battery operated (via 4 AA batteries, which aren’t included) and there’s a low-battery indicator light, too. Made by respected security brand Yale, it also comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty.
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