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Planning to dwell and journey in your motorhome this winter? Earlier than you set off, there are some issues you must find out about winter motorhoming, residing in a van throughout winter and the way to keep secure (and heat!) in colder climate.
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Winter Van Life- the challenges
Once I stop my job to journey in a motorhome nearly fulltime, I by no means actually thought of the winter.
Oh, we thought of it in a enjoyable way- ought to we go snowboarding (extra on that later) or head as much as Norway to see the Northern Lights or head south to Spain for some winter sunshine?
However I by no means thought of how we’d carry snow chains- would we cart them round all 12 months or retailer them someplace through the summer season?
What about winter tyres- when would we modify if we have been travelling away from the UK? The place would we retailer our summer season tyres? What a few hotter duvet- would we supply two all 12 months?
Can you utilize a motorhome in winter?
Completely. Many motorhomes can be utilized all 12 months round and the ‘low season’ positively has some benefits. You simply have to know the way to handle the downsides of winter tenting earlier than you set off in your epic winter highway journey in Europe
Execs of winter adventures with a motorhome or camper:
- Far much less vacationers at widespread sites- that is the time to go to cities like Rome, Venice or Paris, but in addition busy and historic locations just like the Menin Gate warfare memorial in Ypres or Neuschwanstein Fortress in southern Germany.
- Many locations are lined in snow, making the photographs magical. It’s additionally a should if you wish to go snowboarding!
- Should you get pleasure from evening pictures, you may get some epic photographs on clear, crisp nights.
- The roads are usually quieter (besides key days like Boxing Day
- Campsites are much less crowded
Disadvantages of winter motorhoming highway journeys:
- Many sights and locations of curiosity shut for the winter
- Many campsites shut too, so areas on the ones out there are wanted. Attempt to keep away from grass pitches if in any respect potential.
- There are fewer hours of daylight, so much less time to discover
- Street circumstances may be tough in freezing temperatures, particularly in snow and ice.
- Your motorhome can endure from damp, condensation and mildew when you don’t look after it correctly (extra on that later)
- Drying garments and laundry could be a ache (extra on that later too)
- Robust winds and rain may be robust to sleep by way of (ask any of us who survived Storm Denis in a van!)
- It may be COLD (until you’ve gone south) so that you’ll use a variety of gasoline for the heating system and it takes longer to heat up the water heater/water tanks.
Through the years, we’ve acquired a routine down for our winter journeys, and we all know the pitfalls to search for and the way to cope with them.
Winter Motorhome van life- the truth
Right here’s a video of the issues I’ve learnt while residing within the motorhome full-time throughout winter. It was a STEEP studying curve. I hope you discover it helpful.
We hope you discovered the video helpful. Should you did, we’d adore it if you adopted us on Youtube. New movies with suggestions for motorhoming and campervanning within the UK and Europe are launched weekly.
Kinds of winter motorhoming & van life
There are a number of sorts of people that use their motorhomes within the winter, broadly categorised into:
- Those chasing winter sunshine
- Others chasing snow and mountain life
- Those that dwell fulltime of their motorhome or campervan
- Everybody else, who simply enjoys exploring and spending time within the can when potential, even throughout winter.
Every of those teams has barely completely different issues, though a lot of the planning stays the identical. Let’s have a look at the variations under
Winter motorhome life within the sunshine
For anybody who needs to get away from the dreary UK winters, heading south to locations like Spain or Portugal in a motorhome is the right resolution.
In fact, the BREXIT guidelines of solely having the ability to spend 90 days in each rolling 180 has made it tough to remain away all winter, nevertheless it’s nonetheless potential to spend almost 3 months within the sunshine.
If that is the way you’re planning to spend your winter in a motorhome, then there’s not a complete lot you must do in another way than through the summer season, though don’t overlook you now have to adjust to the French winter tyre regulation (even when you’re simply passing by way of.)
If you’re driving your motorhome or campervan by way of France (in addition to all the remainder of the gear you need- seize your FREE Europe journey guidelines under.)
It does additionally get chilly in winter in lots of locations in Europe, even when you’re heading additional east and going motorhoming in Croatia or Greece. We are able to make no ensures, however when you’d like some concepts for locations to remain or go to, right here you go:
Chasing the snow- motorhome snowboarding
Should you’re the opposite finish of the spectrum and searching for snow, there’s quite a bit you’ll have to do to organize your motorhome for winter within the mountains.
Gear you must carry for winter campervanning within the mountains
In addition to the standard gear you want for motorhome touring in Europe, you’ll want to hold:
- snow chains (be sure to know the way to match them upfront and TEST them!) We by chance purchased the unsuitable measurement and so they didn’t match. 🙁
- It’s possible you’ll want winter tyres; just like the new French winter tyre regulation
- Shovel- a necessary for chilly climate tenting
- Lengthy-handled brush
- Bucket/ bowl to gather gray waste
You’ll additionally have to test your camper van heating is working fine- whether or not you utilize a diesel furnace, conventional Truma blown-air or propane heating system or one thing like an area heater. You’ll most likely additionally have to insulate your automobile, particularly the pipework and put an additional rug/ carpet on the ground.
Be sure to’ve had a full service in your motorhome or campervan earlier than you go and prime up the screenwash; salt on the roads means you’ll use it much more than standard.
Should you’d like extra suggestions and methods, try our publish on motorhome snowboarding right here, which tells you the whole lot you must know earlier than you go.
Dwelling fulltime in a van in winter
For anybody who lives of their motorhome, RV or campervan fulltime, winter brings its personal challenges.
Like everybody who makes use of their motorhome within the winter, even when just for a weekend, you’ll be going through condensation, chilly, moist clothes, and extra. We’ll go into every of these challenges under.
What’s the Greatest Motorhome for winter use?
Many individuals surprise which motorhome to purchase for winter use or winter RV residing and if it’s potential to make use of a motorhome in winter, even a British mannequin, like a Swift.
I can safely say that we went motorhome snowboarding with our Swift- and it was nice. Positive, it was somewhat chilly, and we wanted to insulate the pipes and holding tanks somewhat higher, nevertheless it did the job.
In fact, European producers from nations that are used to mountains and snow can have a better insulation degree (some even have an excessive climate bundle and heated hoses), however in addition they value extra, so do loads of analysis when you’re planning to spend so much of time in chilly environments in your motorhome.
Winterproof vs Winterised:
- “winterproof” means the motorhome may be warmed as much as a temperature of 20℃ (from 0℃) inside two hours, then keep pretty fixed.
- “winterised” means the temperature ought to attain 20℃ from -15℃ inside 2 hours, and the plumbing ought to work usually.
Planning a winter motorhome trip- issues to contemplate
Should you’re planning a winter motorhome journey or winter RV tenting, there are many issues to contemplate.
(Should you’re new to motorhoming and need some assist with the place to start out, right here’s the way to plan EPIC motorhome journeys wherever you wish to go.)
The largest issues with utilizing a motorhome or campervan within the winter embody:
- The place to remain
- Climate circumstances and security
- Storage
- Gear to convey
- Staying heat
- Coping with damp and condensation
- Coping with moist garments and muddy/ moist boots- drying them
- Solar energy and managing sources
- Discovering contemporary water and emptying water- and stopping the contemporary water tank or waste tank hoses freezing!
First, we’ll think about the place you’re going to remain in a single day.
Motorhome campsites in winter
Many campsites across the UK and Europe shut throughout winter, which may depart discovering someplace to remain tough.
We not too long ago took our motorhome all the way down to Biarritz in southern France- STUNNING place to go to when you get an opportunity. Seize your France journey guidelines right here:
However we struggled discovering a campsite which was nonetheless open. Many locations shut across the finish of October and don’t reopen till Easter.
There are two strategies we use to fight this and discover campsites which keep open all 12 months.
For Europe
We’ve been members of the ACSI Tenting Card scheme for just a few years now and it’s good when you’re in a position to journey outdoors of peak season (which is normally finish of June till September.) Should you can go to Europe outdoors these instances, you’ll save your self a fortune with an ACSI card.
Even higher, their web site/ app/ ebook are nice locations to test to see when campsites shut. There are sufficient which keep open all 12 months; you simply want to search out them. There’s normally at the very least one close to each main metropolis/ widespread space. In fact, the extra widespread the realm, the faster you’ll have to ebook.
The opposite methodology we use in Europe is to make use of Park4Night and discover campsites close to the place we wish to go, after which Google the web site of these campsites and see in the event that they’re nonetheless open. If they’re, we ebook (normally by cellphone or e-mail.)
For the UK
Campsites for UK winter highway journeys can somewhat bit tricker. ACSI does have some UK websites, however they don’t present all those that are open all 12 months.
We use an app referred to as Seek for Websites to search out campsites close to our vacation spot, then test their web site or cellphone to ask. Sure, this may be laborious and irritating.
An alternative choice is to make use of an internet site like Pitchup.com, which lets you seek for your dates, necessities (like a motorhome onerous standing pitch with electrical and which permits canines) and then you definately ebook by way of them.
Lastly, when you’re a member of a motorhome membership, you should utilize their web site or ebook to search out locations.
Aires in Europe in winter
Many Aires in France and Europe keep open all 12 months, until they’re closed for upkeep or as a consequence of heavy snow (or the roads near them being closed.)
Nonetheless, there are sufficient of them that when you solely wish to keep someplace for an evening or two as you’re travelling by way of, they make the right cease.
Simply bear in mind, ones close to mountains could be closed and if they’ve amenities like water normally, the faucets is perhaps turned off to keep away from harm.
READ MORE: Methods to discover and use Aires in France and Europe
Different motorhome parking in winter
In fact, there are many different schemes when you don’t wish to use campsites or Aires. Schemes like Brit Stops and France Ardour have companies that are open all 12 months, particularly locations like pubs within the UK.
You may, in fact, nonetheless use wild tenting spots together with your motorhome or camper. Simply beware of soppy muddy locations in forests- you’ll get caught very simply.
Study the way to discover in a single day parking spots across the UK and Europe right here
Think about the climate
Earlier than you head off in your winter motorhoming journey, pay further consideration to the climate. Does the forecast embody sturdy winds, fog, or snow?
None of these are a lot enjoyable in a van. Don’t overlook, you possibly can at all times alter your plans to swimsuit no matter is forecast- that’s the most effective issues about motorhoming.
Be sure to carry water, snacks and ideally some sizzling drinks- simply in case.
Mice and Rodents in your van
The opposite factor to recollect is that chilly climate will trigger mice, rats and different rodents to search for shelter… and so they actually love hiding in motorhomes and campervans.
There are methods to discourage them (humanely!). Listed here are our prime suggestions for deterring mice and rodents in motorhomes and campers.
You can even see the harm they do on this video!
We hope you discovered the video helpful. Should you did, we’d adore it if you adopted us on Youtube. New movies with suggestions for motorhoming and campervanning within the UK and Europe are launched weekly.
Gear to hold for winter motorhome life
Aside from winter/ all-weather tyres and snow chains, there are some issues we’ve discovered VERY helpful when motorhoming in winter (and even Autumn!)
Mud Mats/ Traction Grip mats
This stuff are a lifesaver. Final 12 months, we broke all our personal guidelines and camped up on a grass pitch.
And acquired caught.
Attempting to push a 3.5ton motorhome out of the mud or off moist grass isn’t going to occur and with out these we’d have been stuffed (you should utilize the carpets from inside your van when you’re actually caught, however they’re be ruined. Save your self the concern and carry a set of those all 12 months spherical.)
Groundsheet
We don’t normally use a groundsheet once we’re motorhoming. More often than not, we keep in Aires or wild camp, so we will’t get it out and on a campsite we frequently use a hard-standing pitch somewhat than a discipline.
Nonetheless, in winter a groundsheet turns into a necessity in lots of campsites. It stops us bringing a lot mud into the van- particularly as we journey with a mud-loving cocker spaniel.
Get one like this which may be pegged out securely within the corners so doesn’t fly away and which is wipe-downable. Some folks want two smaller ones to allow them to use a smaller measurement when wanted.
Screenwash
Screenwash is extra essential in winter than at some other time of 12 months. There’s a lot salt and grit on the highway that it could actually make the windscreen further soiled.
Be sure to prime up your screenwash and convey further. We love this one because it’s made for all 12 months use, even in colder climates, so received’t freeze on you if you want it most. The Demon Ice spray can also be nice because it slows down re-freezing
Don’t overlook an ice scraper when you don’t have one already! You’ll want one with a longer deal with like this so you possibly can attain all off the windscreen!
Inside mat
While we’re attempting to keep away from mud and moist footprints within the van, get a mat like this (pawprint non-compulsory!) We’ve used these for years on each the camper and our boats and so they actually are unbelievable for absorbing water from each canines and people when you wipe your ft (paws) on them!
It’s straightforward to wash with a jet wash if you’re cleansing your van however will final a very long time between washes if wanted.
Consuming water
Most aires and campsites will hold a faucet operating. DON’T flip this off- it’s operating in order that the pipe doesn’t freeze (operating water is tougher to freeze than static water within the pipe.)
It’s as much as you whether or not you select to drink out of your motorhome tank or not. We used to at all times drink from our LifeSaver Jerrycan, which purifies 99.9% of all contaminated water, making it secure to drink.
Nonetheless, this 12 months we fitted an inline water filter, which implies the water which comes out of the faucet within the kitchen is already filtered. It’s SO a lot simpler.
The one draw back is that you must control your water consumption, which incorporates issues like showers, because it’s all coming from the one tank, somewhat than providing you with a backup water provide only for ingesting.
READ MORE: Methods to discover ingesting water & empty waste on the highway
Winter motorhoming- damp and condensation
Condensation in a motorhome or campervan is a ache within the bottom and is likely one of the greatest points with winter motorhoming. There are a number of methods to cut back the issue, however only a few which do away with it fully.
Regardless of the chilly, your van will profit from somewhat air flow, so attempt to open a window at the very least as soon as a day for some contemporary air.
Some folks run a dehumidifier, however you would possibly battle with electrical energy for that. Non-electric damp containers or pouches (like those you place in wardrobes) are a good suggestion to take in at the very least a few of the moisture within the air.
See all our suggestions for lowering condensation in your motorhome right here.
Coping with moist/ muddy clothes
The largest factor to determine is the way you’ll cope with damp garments and moist/ muddy/ snowy footwear. Taking all of them off on the door is crucial (therefore a groundsheet being helpful), however the place will you dry issues once they’re moist? The place will you hold moist coats?
We’re fortunate that in our motorhome we’ve a heating vent within the rest room, so all moist gear goes in there to dry in a single day. Sure, it makes going to the bathroom a MISSION, nevertheless it saves there being damp gear in every single place.
Should you’re doing laundry on the highway, that is the time to make use of website amenities or an area laundrette. Be sure the whole lot is dry earlier than you convey it back- having a van filled with damp clothes isn’t any enjoyable in any respect.
If the campsite has a drying room for moist ski gear, use it.
Winter Motorhoming with a canine
Should you’re travelling with a canine, there are some things you’ll positively have to cease them overlaying all the van in muck.
Listed here are our prime suggestions for winter vanlife with a canine.
Window Vac
One of many BEST motorhome equipment we’ve ever purchased is this Karcher window vac.
It removes condensation from inside your home windows in seconds AND it’s good for when you must clear your motorhome. All in all, value each penny.
Thermal Display
We LOVE our thermal display from Rainbow screens. Not solely is it a enjoyable speaking level, nevertheless it does its job exceptionally nicely, chopping down condensation and warmth loss by way of the home windows.
(Disclaimer; we have been gifted the display, however we’re not being paid or inspired to incorporate it on this post- we genuinely suppose it’s good.)
Nonetheless, we all know it’s costly, so right here’s a less expensive different for you:
READ MORE: Epic motorhome and campervan devices to make vanlife even higher
Winter motorhome living- Staying heat
Staying heat in a camper when it’s chilly outdoors could be a problem. You’ll most likely wish to add insulation to your van and positively add one other rug or carpet on the ground to maintain it somewhat hotter.
Heating
Even when you’re chasing the sunshine down in Spain, it could actually nonetheless get chilly sufficient to wish heating in your camper throughout winter and within the mountains it’s important.
Many campsites within the mountains don’t have 16 amp electrical energy provide and so your electrical heating won’t work in addition to you might be used to. It additionally means you must be selective about how a lot electrical energy you might be utilizing directly (you don’t wish to be THAT van which is continually tripping everybody’s electrical energy…)
Fuel heating works nicely, however you’ll use a variety of it- we use round 6kg each 2 days.
Diesel heating is a good different, however many vans don’t include it as commonplace. Should you do match it, concentrate on the burden and the way it impacts your motorhome payload. An alternative choice is an oil-filled radiator, however be certain it’s low wattage.
12v heated blanket
YES, you possibly can have a heated blanket in your motorhome. I do know, I do know- you’re welcome. One of many issues my daughter HATED about winter motorhome residing was that she acquired chilly within the again seats if we didn’t drive with the heating on. This blanket mounted all that.
You can even put it UNDER your quilt earlier than bedtime to heat the sheets- simply don’t sleep with it on.
I even have a low wattage electrical blanket in my van, which I run off my powerbank. That is the one I’ve.
(Should you’re , that is the powerbank I’ve)
Excessive Tog quilt
Is there something higher than snuggling beneath a heat quilt on a chilly evening? Make winter nights somewhat extra bearable with a 15 tog quilt like this one (though clearly not when you’re going to Spain!)
Different suggestions embody carrying a LOT of sizzling water bottles, carrying thermals and investing in some superior fluffy slipper socks like these.
Managing energy for winter motorhoming or residing in a camper 12 months spherical
Should you’re on a campsite, you’ll most likely have first rate entry to electrical energy. Nonetheless, when you’re utilizing aires or staying off-grid, you’ll have to pay extra consideration to your energy consumption and the way you’re going to prime up your batteries.
Photo voltaic Energy
You may’t depend on solar energy throughout winter to recharge your batteries in the identical manner you possibly can at different instances of the 12 months. The solar isn’t as sturdy, there are extra midnights and extra areas of shade. Additionally, you’ll be utilizing extra energy than you would possibly usually.
If you have already got a photo voltaic panel fitted, then by all means use what you possibly can, however don’t depend on it as your solely energy supply. Should you’re planning on being off-grid loads, a motorhome generator might be a good suggestion.
Your motorhome Battery
Batteries don’t like chilly. They don’t run as successfully so you must be extra vigilant about taking care of them, ensuring they don’t run too low, giving them cost often and customarily babying them. Discover out extra about taking care of your motorhome leisure battery right here.
You may additionally wish to match a motorhome inverter too, particularly when you’re planning to remain off-grid loads. This can enable you make greatest use of the ability in your batteries; simply do not forget that photo voltaic just isn’t so good in winter so it’s going to take longer to recharge your batteries when you’ve drained them.
LED lights
We at all times suggest putting in LED lights in your van to avoid wasting power- particularly when you’re staying off-grid loads, however in winter it turns into important as ‘regular’ bulbs drain the ability too rapidly. Be sure to convey spares- they’ll be on for longer throughout winter and also you’ll most likely want to switch a pair.
Cooking
Cooking within the motorhome may be problematic throughout winter. You need one thing hearty and filling, however the longer you prepare dinner, the extra steam goes into the environment, inflicting damp and condensation.
Additionally, when you’ve spent all day outdoors, you most likely received’t wish to prepare dinner if you return. That’s why we’ve a sluggish cooker which we solely use throughout winter.
In fact, this depends on a good electrical connection. I’ve additionally heard good issues about thermal cookers (however by no means used one), which doesn’t want energy after the preliminary cooking and likewise good issues in regards to the Prompt Pot. Each are value exploring.
In fact, there are a lot of methods to get pleasure from winter motorhoming. Should you similar to discovering a campsite close to your own home which is open all 12 months and staying within the van for a weekend, you most likely received’t have to do a lot in another way. You may even pre-cook hearty stews and convey it with you.
Equally, when you get pleasure from staying off-grid and wild tenting together with your motorhome, you received’t want a lot further until you go someplace very chilly (like up a mountain!)
Simply bear in mind to test your methods earlier than you go and do your pre-trip motorhoming checks to make sure your automobile is secure in no matter circumstances you would possibly end up driving in (like heavy rain!)
Final replace on 2023-12-22 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API
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