Writer: Helena Bergström
If you read last Friday's blog, you know what happened: we went to the garage where we had stored our motorhome for the winter, but it wouldn't start... After many hours of trying, we had to return home by bus, train and metro.
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When the motorhome did not start after the winter ...
Why did the motorhome not start after winter storage? And why do we winterise the motorhome so far away? (Some people have asked.)
The reason we store our motorhome ”so far away” over winter is that there are few large storage garages in the Stockholm area - and prices can be extremely high. We are thought also that we would get maintenance allowance for the battery in this place (which we got the year before), but now those rules had unfortunately changed...
After a long cold winter, without electricity to the battery, the motorhome did not start, even though we had disconnected the battery. After a 12-hour day of public transport, we arrived home in the evening, without the motorhome.
Try again!
What should we do? We received a lot of good advice, and we humbly thank you for that. We also thank those who got in touch to give us a lift! (Only one of us has a driving licence, which makes it tricky to get to the garage by car, if we are going to drive a motorhome from there.) However, the garage is only open one day a week, and this day did not fit with those who could drive.
Our own solution: We called the local petrol station in the morning (near the garage) and checked that they had a large starter battery for us. After that, we packed a pickaxe in Peter's backpack and set off: Metro 15 minutes + train one hour + bus one hour.
At the final destination, we went into the petrol station and bought both battery and starter gas. Now we were very happy for our pirra! It was not very long, but without pirra it would have been extremely difficult ...
Time to fit the new battery! It was dark in the garage and we swore (maybe) a little, but the battery came into place.
At last!
So, finally, our beloved FREEDOM motorhome started, with a new battery and starter gas. We let it run for a while, and then, slowly and carefully, we backed out of the garage ...
Fix on the road ... and laundry!
We stopped briefly at the small petrol station where we bought the starter battery. ”Did it go well?” they asked curiously. We confirmed and completed our shopping with antifreeze and a hot dog each. In addition, we quickly washed the windows. The motorhome was so dusty that we couldn't even see out!
We realised we needed a good wash, so we drove to Port 73 in Haninge where we usually wash the motorhome. A wonderful feeling to have the motorhome again!
This week: Grateful for ...
It's not hard to guess what we are grateful for, is it? We're incredibly grateful that the motorhome started! We need it for travelling and writing - and it's our only car. We can't explain how grateful we are!
Your turn… What are you grateful for this week?
The week ahead
We are still at home in Sweden. Now it's time to focus on the motorhome: taking care of it and maybe doing some mini-trips. Here on FREEDOMtravel there will be a mix of guest reports, updates on the motorhome, food reports (yes, I think food in different cultures is incredibly exciting) and more ... !
Did you miss the last Friday Blog? Read it We went to pick up the campervan ... but it didn't go as planned
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Wonderful days at Elmia Caravan Motorhome
What a week! - Iftar, quirky everyday life and a motorhome trip
We are on our way! - Motorhome holidays in southern Europe await
Everyday travelling and camping in a different way...
Friday blog: Lectures and party at Elmia Husvagn Husbil
Friday blog: We went to pick up the campervan ... but it didn't go as planned
English (UK) 
Svenska
Jossu says:
I'm glad it was resolved after a lot of hard work and (perhaps) swearing.
This week I, and the guinea pigs, are thankful for the grass starting to come up. It is a special feeling every year to see the guinea pigs eating the first blades of grass after being without for so many months.
10 April 2026 - 6:31
Helena says:
I had guinea pigs when I was young. I remember they were a bit surprised when they came out, that the grass was ”stuck” 😉
11 April 2026 - 18:04
Solan says:
Yes, we recognise ourselves! I don't have a driving licence either. Lasse and a helpful neighbour with a car went out to the motorhome yesterday with a small booster. But the battery was dead. Fixed a new battery and then they rolled to the new outdoor storage in Spånga. 10 minutes by bus from us...
So yes, motorhomes are fun! 😉
10 April 2026 - 8:08
Helena says:
Then you know exactly how it can be!!! Not always easy ... But good with storage near anyway!
11 April 2026 - 18:05
bmlarsreseblogg says:
So lovely to see Freedom rolling again and of course we understand what you are extra grateful for this week! We think the top of the week is probably our magical day out with the cranes together with JoY and that we survived the storm Dave. In the week to come we have times for service of Laikan and then moisture test and some fix at the workshop in Lilla Edet, just hope they do not find too much that needs to be fixed....
10 April 2026 - 8:37
Helena says:
It sounds amazing to see the cranes! It's on our ”list” to do it some year soon... 😉
11 April 2026 - 18:06
Anette Nilsson says:
Sooo nice that you got it done in a good way and that everything worked. Now a lot of fun and experiences await you with your dear motorhome.
We are leaving in a while for the Netherlands. So that's what our week has been about + all the usual volunteering and dog-sitting.
10 April 2026 - 10:56
Helena says:
Have a nice trip to the Netherlands, with a lot of tulips we guess!
11 April 2026 - 18:07
JoY says:
Great that everything worked out in the end, felt so sorry for you when we could drive and it did not work out with the delivery day. Now you are the track and drive away when you want. Is there a way to wash the roof in Port 73?
Have a nice time Hugs from us in Northern Germany
10 April 2026 - 12:28
Helena says:
Yes, one of the sites is for motorhomes. There is a ladder and a ”plateau” so you can get higher up and drive the high pressures over the roof.
10 April 2026 - 12:53
Annika says:
NOW Freedom is rolling again, so happy to be out in the sun and to start driving around near and far again.
Good for you that everything went well.
This week I am grateful that my sister can drop a big stone from her heart. Now have a great weekend (with Freedom maybe). Hugs!
10 April 2026 - 15:01
Helena says:
Yes, we think FREEDOM is happy to be in the sun! 🙂 Nice when big stones can be released. Wishing you all the best!
11 April 2026 - 18:08
Monica says:
So glad everything worked out in the end after all the hassle and time it took.
I am grateful for very nice Easter celebrations and it was Easter on Monday too so I count it in for this week. Almost unbelievable everything turned out so well even though we were in the worst storm.
Now we also look forward to blue skies and warming sunshine.
Have a nice weekend and good for you with a freshly washed car just waiting.
10 April 2026 - 19:08
Helena says:
Lovely with nice Easter celebrations! Wishing you nice days in the spring sun now!
11 April 2026 - 18:09
BP says:
All's well that ends well is a rather apt saying, I think. Now the ”family is complete again. NJUT I just say. In addition, the sun is shining on both you two, the motorhome and the houseboat. Can it get better, hardly, right; -)
10 April 2026 - 22:18
Helena says:
Yes, I'm glad the motorhome is home, and it's nice with the spring sun! Wishing you all the best!
11 April 2026 - 18:10
Ditte says:
What a pain in the arse! Luckily you are both stubborn and solution-orientated. And it went well... I understand that the joy was great when Freedom started. .
I imagine you were grateful.
Grateful for this week? That I spent a day in Uppsala together with one of my daughters and used a profit; to stay one night at the fine hotel Radisson Blu. A beautiful Friday turned into an equally beautiful Sunday. Good food, hanging out and a nice trip out to the countryside for some purchases of Greek products that are directly imported. .
11 April 2026 - 18:55
Anna i Portugal says:
How wonderful that the camper is now home again. I understand it was extra complicated when you didn't get electricity as promised. Hope next winter storage will be better for you, because I suspect you are looking for alternatives. Maybe it's cheaper & better to drive it down to southern Europe for the winter? 🙂 I'm grateful that your RSS feed is working again.
15 April 2026 - 10:06
Susanne Goren says:
Hi! Glad it worked out in the end. One question; how old was your battery? Our battery is 8 years old and we are wondering if we should change it as a precaution before we go on vacation in Europe. What do you guys with experience think?.
03 May 2026 - 15:07
Helena says:
Hi Susanne! We are not experts on this. If the battery is working well and you don't notice any problems, you may not necessarily need to replace it. But of course, 8 years is quite a long time so if you notice that it is discharging quickly, or if you really want to be on the safe side, it might be a good idea!
03 May 2026 - 15:39