Amongst the helpful responses to my question about using a cover or not someone mentioned storing with seat upholstery on its side in the Eriba.

Just as I was reading this a next door neighbour was putting his van back on the drive after a quick visit down South to see his daughter. I asked him about the upholstery business and he said that he will now take his out of his van and inside the house to store until spring and that he also keeps a small oil-filled radiator with a thermostat on low in the van from now until early March so that nothing freezes.

Again as a total beginner what do experienced Eriba-ites do in relation to upholstery and heating for winter storage? Why would you put upholstery on its side?Is it a good idea to store in the house, if you have the room. I noticed a couple of comments in reply to my previous posting that referred to these leaking in their van and causing a mess. Was this just sheer bad luck or is it a common problem?

Thanks for any help. Soulbluesman

We do take all cushions out of the van for winter

Same as Mr C. The heater I have is an electric convector, not oil filled. It is only 500 watts and notthing to leak.Air circulation is important in defeating damp and mould hence leaving the windows on night setting and opening locker and cupboard doors. I have no room in the house to store the cushions. I and most on here drain the water system, particularly the hot water tank as a precaution against freezing.

Stewart

I've left mine uncovered and have a couple of moisture traps from home bargains in the van and all of the cupboard doors open and the cushions away from the walls..... it's bone dry and there is still no moisture showing in the traps yet but the same one is in our bedroom cupboard and it's swimming lol
I have fitted an exterior 240v socket at home so will be popping a small heater in there when they come up at Aldi or the likes

We don't have room to store all the seat cushions in our house and even if we did it would be too much of a faff to bring them in and then out again when we wanted to get away for a few days of winter fun(not sun obviously)

We up end the cushions and open all the lockers and doors, we prop up the bed bases at the front dinette so that air can circulate freely water bottle emptied and fuse removed from the tap, tap left in the open position. We even leave the bedding in the van (ready for a quickish getaway) and in 10 years have not experienced any damp/mould problems. Sometimes we put the generic cover on but only if we know we are not getting away for a couple of months. No moisture traps, no heater - no problem

Denise & Phil

I stored ours outside for 10 years of ownership, never covered, did'nt use an oil radiator, did'nt stand the upholstery on end, drained the hot water heater and thetford, put some bleach down the plug holes and bunged the hose ends with an old cork (to stop intruders!) never had damp issues, or funny smells, I did put a var of soap in each cupboard /locker which kept things smelling nice (but that was all year round) as I've asked before but no-one has ever posted back, our van was in tipmtop condition when we sold it nearly 18 months ago, pictures on here, and no it was'nt cleaned specifically to be sold.

Imho it's far easier to keep the Eriba clean all year round than it is to deep clean it every now and then!

Quote: marmite wrote in post #7

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We don't have room to store all the seat cushions in our house and even if we did it would be too much of a faff to bring them in and then out again when we wanted to get away for a few days of winter fun(not sun obviously)

We up end the cushions and open all the lockers and doors, we prop up the bed bases at the front dinette so that air can circulate freely water bottle emptied and fuse removed from the tap, tap left in the open position. We even leave the bedding in the van (ready for a quickish getaway) and in 10 years have not experienced any damp/mould problems. Sometimes we put the generic cover on but only if we know we are not getting away for a couple of months. No moisture traps, no heater - no problem

Denise & Phil

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Quote: Soulbluesman wrote in post #1

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Amongst the helpful responses to my question about using a cover or not someone mentioned storing with seat upholstery on its side in the Eriba.
Just as I was reading this a next door neighbour was putting his van back on the drive after a quick visit down South to see his daughter. I asked him about the upholstery business and he said that he will now take his out of his van and inside the house to store until spring and that he also keeps a small oil-filled radiator with a thermostat on low in the van from now until early March so that nothing freezes.
Again as a total beginner what do experienced Eriba-ites do in relation to upholstery and heating for winter storage? Why would you put upholstery on its side?Is it a good idea to store in the house, if you have the room. I noticed a couple of comments in reply to my previous posting that referred to these leaking in their van and causing a mess. Was this just sheer bad luck or is it a common problem?
Thanks for any help. Soulbluesman

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