Transferred to consolidate similar topics.
Winter Storage
MistaChurch Junior Member posted August 15, 2002 06:29 PM
I'm getting ready to store my 84 westy for the winter and am looking for some suggestions on everything I should do to prepare it for its hibernation.
I recently spoke with another owner here in the Twin Cities who parks their's in a pole barn in Wisconsin, drives it onto plastic covered with cat litter and mothballs, and then wraps the bus up like a present.
Suggestions? Check list?
A. Cooper Member posted August 19, 2002 03:31 PM
I live in neighboring Wisconsin, and as a fellow-Upper Midwesterner you've probably noticed that winter ain't what it used to be; last December found me camping the week of Christmas, unheard of in years prior to global warming. After several long weeks of cold and snow, we're usually back in the woods by the end of March, so I don't perform a full 'winterization' in the usual sense, but merely some cold-weather maintenance between trips.
Not sure what your friend is thinking with the kitty-litter and mothballs; I suppose it's meant to absorb dripping fluids, discourage rodent infestation, and leave your Westy smelling like Grandma's place. But any vapor-proof barrier like a polyethylene tarp wrapped around your van will not only keep rain and snow out but also keep harmful moisture IN. Repeated temperature fluctuations between warm and cold -- especially common in the late fall and early spring -- can encourage condensation build-up, and this can lead to problems with rust, rot, and mold. Moisture trapped against your van beneath a plastic wrap can do bad things to paint and clearcoat finishes. Better to purchase a quality van cover made of some sort of water-resistant but breathable fabric, to keep your van clean of snow, dirt, and pigeon droppings while allowing excess moisture to escape.
It's important to keep the battery charged through your off-season, to prevent depletion and freezing. Taking the van for a drive every week or so through the winter should keep the battery functioning properly, but for longer storage periods remove it from the van and keep in a warm garage or basement, periodically trickle-charging it. There's already a good thread on this topic elsewhere on the site: TIPS > Care and Feeding of Batteries.
Fuel additives are usually unneccesary for daily driving, but for long-term storage you may want to consider a fuel stabilizer to keep your gas from getting all funky. Simply add to your final fillup (read the directions) before putting the Westy in storage, to prevent fuel-system problems in the spring. Note that gasoline and diesel fuels require different stabilizers!
In the kitchen you have the water storage tank & sink drain system to attend to. The VW Camper Owner's Manual instructs one simply to drain the water storage tank, then run the sink pump until dry. That's what I do between trips and have had no problems, but I'm a little concerned about residual water in the pump line and sink trap freezing and cracking the plastic components. I suppose I could take a (clean!) toilet plunger to the sink, to force any leftover drain water from the trap, but I still worry about the pump and line. I've also considered using an RV water system anti-freeze, available from any RV shop and many automotive stores. NOTE: this is NOT engine coolant/antifreeze -- which is POISONOUS -- but rather a food-grade, alcohol-based additive intended for RV and sailboat drinking-water systems. My only hesitation on using this is potential chemical damage to the rubber pump impellor and other plastic components, and the fact that I've had no problems by following the book.
An extended camping season is only one of the many benefits of the Westy, and we try to utilize it to the fullest. By camping long into the fall and resuming early in the spring we avoid much of the heavy summer traffic on highways and hiking trails, never need to make campsite reservations, and seldom have to endure noisy yahoos belting out drinking songs around the campfire late into the night.
Yo ho ho, it's the Westy life for me ...!
ee.yor Member posted August 20, 2002 03:02 PM
Sink trap antifreeze.
Boaters for generations have winterized their galley sink drains by pouring in the last of the season's rum. Seems a bit of a waste, but certain rituals seem to self perpetuate - like christening the launching of a vessel by cracking a bottle of champagne on her bow.
kathleen Junior Member posted August 20, 2002 03:03 PM
Winter storage
I am a new westy owner in western Massachusetts, I also do not want to drive the camper through the winter, but hope to bundle her up for the winter, so I appreciate all the tips coming through this site. kathleen
kathleen becker
A. Cooper Member posted August 22, 2002 11:30 AM
Sink trap antifreeze
Hmm ... rum, eh?
I like that. It's definitely alcohol-based, and many consider it food-grade.
And I like the 'tradition' aspect, too. One could appropriately bash a bottle o' bubbly on the front bumper when a Westy comes under new ownership, or after a full restoration, or before embarking upon her maiden voyage out of state.
As you mention, ee.yor, sailors have had their traditions and superstitions for eons; are we Westy pilots any different?
Capt. Mike Tech Writer posted September 07, 2002 08:05 AM
RE: Winter storage
MistChurch: I'll try to get back to this post later and provide a more detailed set of storage instructions I have, but for the interim . . ..
DO NOT wrap the vehicle in plastic or any cover that will not breath. See the posts under ACCESSORIES and SUPPLIERS about car covers. There are some excellent ones out there. Non-breathing covers will trap moisture, ruining the paint, plastic trim (that fake chrome) and the interior. It breeds mold, mildow and harbors all sorts of little critters. Personally, I use a premium light cotton cover (from California Car Covers) and store my vehicles inside. Even inside, they need something due to dust, insects & the enivitable bird that gets in just to do a bombing run. There is no good cover for extended outside storage -- there I would suggest one of the premium breathable weather-protecting car covers (same company) AND under some sort of shelter, even if just one of the canvas car-port style. The cover alone is not sufficient for long-term storage.
Placing some mothballs inside probably won't hurt. Some use a watertight tray of charcoal to absorb moisture and odors. There are a number of good commercial dehumidifiers. Electric (sporting goods dealers for gun safes, etc.), silica gel packets, and some new ones that use refills or are disposable. See RV & boat supply sources. Crack a window for moisture escape.
Pump tires to max sidewall pressure and park on a paved surface -- even if just decorative walk pavers from the building supply -- to slow down tires deterioration. Sitting on moisture holding surfaces like grass or dirt seems to accelerate it. The max pressure is to reduce the sidewall flex.
Completely drain your water tanks and sink system. Then you shouldn't need an anti-freeze. The Westy doesn't have the extensive drain piping of an RV to trap water. If still worried, use one of the anti-freezes from the RV suppliers in the drain. Nothing in the now empty & dry water tank.
Disconnect batteries (and preferably remove to a dry cool but not freezing storage). See the posts under TIPS and BATTERIES in their respective forums.
Make sure engine antifreeze if full, fresh and of proper protection level.
Do a fresh oil change. If real long (months) inject some oil into the spark plug holes and reinstall the plugs.
Use a good commercial fuel stabilizer like Penray 1000 or Stabil and fill the tank. This will keep fuel fresh for several months and reduce tank condensation.
Obviously, fresh wash & wax, treatment of rubber, touching up any rust, chips, etc. is desireable.