Winterizing VanEssa camping equipment correctly

Our tips on how to best winterize your VanEssa camping equipment

Hey!
I am Johanna from VanEssa mobilcamping and in this article I would like to give you our to-dos on how to best winterize your VanEssa camping equipment so that you can start the camping season again in spring.
Of course, you could also leave the equipment in the vehicle all year round, but bear in mind that the weight consumes additional fuel. In addition, the installation and removal is so quick that you hardly need to plan any time for it.

1. winterizing the panniers

Who our VanEssa panniers for the windows in the vehicle, you should first remove them.

I then vacuum all the compartments thoroughly. Then wipe these and the outer surfaces with a microfiber cloth and a neutral cleaner. Here I can recommend the Full care from HaRa recommend.

If there is any heavy soiling, you can also use the full care product in a more concentrated form and wipe with a damp cloth.

Then leave the panniers to dry well in a warm place with the compartments open. However, if you leave them outside to dry, bear in mind that the light-colored bags in particular can attract insects, which can then leave their mark on the panniers.

We then put the two bags in a large bag and seal it so that no animals or odors can get in and everything stays nice and clean. This way, they can also be stored in the garage.

2. winterizing the camping modules/kitchen modules

For the removal and stowage of the Kitchen modules I recommend the Built-in trolley on wheels from VanEssa mobilcamping. You can push it up to the vehicle and simply pull the modules onto it, as the height of the trolley is roughly the same height as the trunk. This means you hardly have to lift or carry the rear kitchen.

Everything can then be pushed into a corner of the garage without having to be dragged around. What's more, the furniture is then not directly on the floor, so that it could get condensation from the vehicle in case of doubt.

If you have both a kitchen block and Inner tower If you want to store the tower on it, remember to place an anti-slip mat between the two pieces of furniture so that they do not damage each other and the tower cannot slide down.

The Camping toilet can be placed in one of the lower compartments of the trolley. Cleaned and dry, of course.

Once you have placed the kitchen module on the trolley, I also recommend wiping everything down with a damp cloth and a neutral cleaning agent. Then dry the surfaces with a soft cotton cloth. Incidentally, you can easily remove the drawers from the kitchen. To do this, press the two orange clips under the drawer and lift it upwards. Then place it back on the rails and close the drawer.

Also remember the Water canister once with citric acid and hot water and rinse well to kill any germs. You should also allow this to dry out completely. The same applies to the water pump. There is a lid for the canister in every kitchen, which you can use to seal it tightly.

The Cooler box should be thoroughly disinfected once with a suitable cleaner (e.g. vinegar cleaner). After cleaning, allow the cool box to air out well, otherwise unpleasant odors may arise. For winter storage, I recommend placing a small bowl of baking soda in the closed cool box, as this will trap any odors. Stow away all Cables so that they cannot be eaten by small rodents.

If you still have an unfinished Gas cylinder on the stove, then take them off and close them accordingly.

Once everything has been cleaned and dried, it is best to cover the entire trolley or furniture with a film. This protects them from dirt and moisture. I would generally store them in a closed room (garage or cellar, not a carport).

3. winterizing the Sleeping pad

You can remove the mattress cover at any time using the zippers and wash it on a 40° gentle cycle. I would definitely do this before the next camping season. Whether you do it before stowing it away or before your next camping vacation is up to you. It is also important that the mattress is completely dry. If you still have the foil from buying the mattress, you can store it in it. Otherwise, I would also pack it in an airtight sheet so that no animals can make themselves comfortable in it over the winter. When covering the mattress, make sure that the parts of the mattress are the right way up in the cover.

Another tip on the side: The VanEssa mattress is also very suitable as a guest mattress and can also be easily stored in a cupboard at home.

4. winterizing the lithium battery

For most people, the ideal place to store a dormant lithium battery is at home. Dry room air and room temperature ensure the best storage climate, which promotes a long service life. Also remember to charge the battery with at least 40%. A drastic discharge of the battery can have consequences for the charging capacity and service life. With these tips, you should be able to enjoy your equipment for a long time and start the new camping season well prepared again in the new year.

All the best Johanna