laying the camper up for the winter

Post by **clartsonly** » 12 Oct 2008, 07:09

it is a shame but the tax and mot are due at the end of this month, as well as the motorbikes tax and MOT and christmas is just around the corner. If I decide to not MOT or tax it until early next year, have you got any hints and tips for battery, cleaning and covering etc. I may decide to MOT it and simply SORN it, what are the Laws regarding MOT if it has no tax or mot in Jan/Feb?

I have a cover somewhere in the shed, but I haven't used the cover in the last 2 and half years so what is the point now?

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 12 Oct 2008, 09:50

You can still MOT a vehicle and Sorn it. As for laying up, remember the beetle in the Woody Allen film 'Sleeper'? Its not much different. You might like to take the battery off and give it a charge/discharge now and then and if its left outside, give it a wax treatment. Possibly open the slider on a fine day and 'air' it a bit. You could also turn it over now and then just to keep everything at least in starting order. Otherwise I don't think you need to worry too much. These things usually start no prob with a good battery and once the fuel comes through.

Post by **clartsonly** » 13 Oct 2008, 07:42

it hardly seems worth sorning it if I get it MOTed. for the sake of "just another £100" if it does come off the road we will miss out on the winter camping trips, so the children are already no too happy.

I will see how the bike MOT goes next week and have a rethink.

give it a good wax

ha ha, the paint work is not that good.. although not too many rusty holes it was sprayed with white spraycan paint before I bought it and then by enamel for the decorative flowers and since the last rust treatment white hammerite, I really need to invest sometime to painting it with a roller

Post by **jpee** » 13 Oct 2008, 10:51

I'd MOT, tax and use it. they don't really like lying around for any length of time. Park bike up for winter

Post by **jpee** » 13 Oct 2008, 10:53

Sorry, as regards to the Law, if vehicle has no tax it has to be off public road. If no MOT insurance is void.

Post by **Molly Man** » 13 Oct 2008, 11:59

1 Try and get it under cover, Farmers' Atcost barn or similar is good idea as air will circulate around and under... try and put it away dry!

2 Start and run for min 20 mins each week, use clutch gears etc.-test lights, indicators regularly.

3 Buy small solar trickle charger for the battery

4 Keep wiper rubbers clear of screen

5 'Use or loose' the windscreen washers!

6 Move it to save flat spots on the tyres and use bricks instead of leaving handbrake hard on

7 Air the inside regularly

8 Remove any food etc ...those field mice will sniff it from miles away

9 If you have to use a cover remove it regularly and let the van air

10 vaseline any chrome bits to preserve them

probably lots more somebody will add to this...