Protyre Delivers Winter Caravan Advice

Winter is almost upon us and – presumably to the unending relief of Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson – the majority of the nation’s caravans are off the road and ‘hibernating’ for the winter. Yet, as Protyre points out, care should be taken when laying-up a caravan for the winter months. To minimise the risk of problems when heading back on the road when the weather warms, the independent tyre dealer network offers the following advice.

•  Firstly, tyres should be checked visually for any damage, particularly to the sidewall, which can easily sustain impact damage through trailer cut-in on corners and should be acted upon.

• Examine and check the tyres for tread depth and any signs of damage to the sidewall or signs of misalignment.

• Check the valves for general condition.

• Ideally the caravan should be jacked up so the weight of the caravan does not rest on the tyres, or else the caravan should be moved from time to time or the wheels rotated to prevent flat spots from forming. Cover the tyres with a dense breathable material such as hessian to protect them from the winter elements. Alternatively cover the front face and exposed tread of the tyres, when dry, with black plastic to offer winter weather protection.

• Better still, remove wheels completely and store them flat, in a cool and dry condition, away from sunlight. Care should be taken not to store them in close proximity to volatile solvents or on a damp concrete floor.

• If wheels are removed, cover the brake drums and hubs following any necessary servicing.

Caravanners should also be aware of insurance requirements, which normally require the use of wheel clamps or locks. Whilst the lack of wheels may appear to immobilise a caravan, thieves have been known to fit wheels to steal a caravan. The owner may be liable if precautions were not taken.

Commenting on the winter tyre advice Barry Norris from the Camping and Caravanning Club said, “reports indicate that tyre failure is a major factor in accidents involving towed caravans. It therefore makes sense to take care of this vital component of a caravan.”