Quote: Soulbluesman wrote in post #4

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However last week my near neighbour, who is a long time white box owner, came for a chat and asked me was I not putting a little heater with a thermostat in our Troll to come on in case of frost. Apparently Tom has done this every winter for ever to protect any pipes in his van from freezing.

I don't think this is needed and didn't do it last year. However it got me wondering if anyone on the Forum does this for their Eriba?
MikeT

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Some of the points raised in this thread have got me wondering also, Mike.

If your near neighbour has drained everything down then I find myself asking 'what pipes are left to freeze?'

Ventilation is essential and Hymer have provided for this with several low-level ventilation points so unless these have been blocked air is going to enter the van from the bottom. However, this incoming air, along with containing moisture is not going to circulate especially when a van is covered blocking any slight additional openings e.g. windows not 100% sealed. Yes I realise that the first reaction by several is going to be 'ah, but my cover is breathable' to which I can only say that being an avid hiker during the winter months and having probably spent more on top quality clothing over the years than on hot dinners, I am still awaiting the day when following a steep climb up an Alpine hill, my back is not sweating like the proverbial pig and with this point in mind I doubt that the more common covers in use are 100% breathable as claimed.

Warm air i.e. produced from a heater placed inside the van, contains more moisture than cold and unless this moisture laden war air can be released by adequate ventilation then it's open door for damp and mould. So whilst low level heating is to be recommended it needs to be backed up with adequate ventilation. In a house it's easy - the provision of suitable physical ventilation points such as air bricks etc along with opening windows and exchanging air daily. Those of us living on the continent especially in more colder winter climates cannot have failed to observe that most households open up windows for at least half an hour even on rainy days. The question is then, how is one going to adequately ventilate a van that has been covered up to which the answer, in my book at least is, you can't.

Experience as a result of storing a motorbike in a very wet underground garage for 5 - 6 months of the year has taught me (and very many other bike owners also) that the most effective method of preventing the pride and joy from rusting directly before ones eyes is to seal it in an airtight bag into which a couple of especially made sacks of silica gel available from Louis https://www.louis-moto.co.uk/artikel/mul...anulat/10005049 and which can absorb up to 600g of moisture. Come Spring the bike is unpacked and is as dry as the day it was packed although the garage often reaches temperatures of minus 10°C and/or 100% humidity.
In the van I hang one bag from the pop-up roof clamp at the front and a second at the back end.

Now whilst an airtight bag might not be practical for use with a caravan lol, I personally would never consider using one of the more common caravan covers available that simply do not provide adequate ventilation. OK, they keep the van clean on the outside but dirt can be washed off; mould isn't got rid of quite so easily. Around our area there are several caravan/motorhome storage sites - some indoors whilst others are in the open - and as regards the latter, I have yet to see a single van covered up for the winter. That said, for those that simply have no other choice I would certainly recommend purchasing and hanging a couple of these sacks inside the van as they really do help and ventilate, ventilate, ventilate, at least on a weekly basis if not more often.

Quote: Magpie wrote in post #10

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Thanks. Would two of those bags be enough for a Troll??

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Yes, perfectly adequate on the understanding of course that sensible regular ventilation is maintained. These bags are intended to absorb background moisture of course, not puddles lol.