Planning to stay and journey in your motorhome this winter? Earlier than you set off, there are some issues you could find out about winter motorhoming, residing in a van throughout winter and how you can keep secure (and heat!) in colder climate.
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Winter Van Life- the challenges
After I give up my job to journey in a motorhome virtually fulltime, I by no means actually thought-about 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-about how we’d carry snow chains- would we cart them round all yr or retailer them someplace in the course of 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 yr?
Can you employ a motorhome in winter?
Completely. Many motorhomes can be utilized all yr round and the ‘low season’ undoubtedly has some benefits. You simply must know how you can handle the downsides of winter tenting earlier than you set off in your epic winter street journey in Europe
Professionals of winter adventures with a motorhome or camper:
- Far much less vacationers at common 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 struggle memorial in Ypres or Neuschwanstein Citadel in southern Germany.
- Many locations are coated in snow, making the photographs magical. It’s additionally a should if you wish to go snowboarding!
- When you take pleasure in night time images, you will get some epic photographs on clear, crisp nights.
- The roads are typically quieter (besides key days like Boxing Day
- Campsites are much less crowded
Disadvantages of winter motorhoming street journeys:
- Many sights and locations of curiosity shut for the winter
- Many campsites shut too, so areas on the ones accessible 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 situations might be tough in freezing temperatures, particularly in snow and ice.
- Your motorhome can undergo from damp, condensation and mildew in case 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 might be robust to sleep by means 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 numerous gas for the heating system and it takes longer to heat up the water heater/water tanks.
Through the years, we’ve obtained a routine down for our winter journeys, and we all know the pitfalls to search for and how you can take care of them.
Winter Motorhome van life- the fact
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. When you did, we’d find it irresistible 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 stay 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 totally different concerns, 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 proper answer.
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 practically 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 could do in another way than in the course of the summer season, though don’t overlook you now must adjust to the French winter tyre legislation (even in case you’re simply passing by means of.)
In case you are driving your motorhome or campervan by means 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 in case you’re heading additional east and going motorhoming in Croatia or Greece. We are able to make no ensures, however in case you’d like some concepts for locations to remain or go to, right here you go:
Chasing the snow- motorhome snowboarding
When you’re the opposite finish of the spectrum and in search of snow, there’s rather a lot you’ll must do to organize your motorhome for winter within the mountains.
Gear you could 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 you know how you can match them upfront and TEST them!) We by accident purchased the flawed measurement they usually didn’t match. 🙁
- Chances are you’ll want winter tyres; just like the new French winter tyre legislation
- Shovel- an important for chilly climate tenting
- Lengthy-handled brush
- Bucket/ bowl to gather gray waste
You’ll additionally must test your camper van heating is working fine- whether or not you employ a diesel furnace, conventional Truma blown-air or propane heating system or one thing like an area heater. You’ll in all probability additionally must insulate your car, 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 high up the screenwash; salt on the roads means you’ll use it much more than traditional.
When you’d like extra suggestions and methods, take a look at our publish on motorhome snowboarding right here, which tells you all the things you could know earlier than you go.
Residing 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 dealing with condensation, chilly, moist clothes, and extra. We’ll go into every of these challenges under.
What’s the Finest 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 tremendous. Certain, it was a little bit chilly, and we would have liked to insulate the pipes and holding tanks a little bit higher, nevertheless it did the job.
In fact, European producers from international locations that are used to mountains and snow can have the next insulation stage (some even have an excessive climate package deal and heated hoses), however additionally they price extra, so do loads of analysis in case you’re planning to spend so much of time in chilly environments in your motorhome.
Winterproof vs Winterised:
- “winterproof” means the motorhome might 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
When you’re planning a winter motorhome journey or winter RV tenting, there are many issues to contemplate.
(When you’re new to motorhoming and need some assist with the place to start out, right here’s how you can plan EPIC motorhome journeys anyplace you need to go.)
The largest issues with utilizing a motorhome or campervan within the winter embrace:
- The place to remain
- Climate situations and security
- Storage
- Gear to deliver
- Staying heat
- Coping with damp and condensation
- Coping with moist garments and muddy/ moist boots- drying them
- Solar energy and managing assets
- Discovering recent water and emptying water- and stopping the recent 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 go away discovering someplace to remain tough.
We lately took our motorhome all the way down to Biarritz in southern France- STUNNING place to go to in case 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 yr.
For Europe
We’ve been members of the ACSI Tenting Card scheme for a number of years now and it’s sensible in case you’re in a position to journey exterior of peak season (which is often finish of June till September.) When you can go to Europe exterior 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 yr; you simply want to seek out them. There’s often at the very least one close to each main metropolis/ common space. In fact, the extra common the world, the faster you’ll must ebook.
The opposite technique we use in Europe is to make use of Park4Night and discover campsites close to the place we need 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 (often by telephone or electronic mail.)
For the UK
Campsites for UK winter street journeys can a little bit bit tricker. ACSI does have some UK websites, however they don’t present all those that are open all yr.
We use an app referred to as Seek for Websites to seek out campsites close to our vacation spot, then test their web site or telephone to ask. Sure, this may be laborious and irritating.
Another choice is to make use of an internet site like Pitchup.com, which lets you seek for your dates, necessities (like a motorhome arduous standing pitch with electrical and which permits canines) and then you definately ebook by means of them.
Lastly, in case you’re a member of a motorhome membership, you should utilize their web site or ebook to seek out locations.
Aires in Europe in winter
Many Aires in France and Europe keep open all yr, until they’re closed for upkeep or on account of heavy snow (or the roads near them being closed.)
Nonetheless, there are sufficient of them that in case you solely need to keep someplace for an evening or two as you’re travelling by means of, they make the proper cease.
Simply bear in mind, ones close to mountains might be closed and if they’ve amenities like water often, the faucets could be turned off to keep away from injury.
READ MORE: The way to discover and use Aires in France and Europe
Different motorhome parking in winter
In fact, there are many different schemes in case you don’t need to use campsites or Aires. Schemes like Brit Stops and France Ardour have companies that are open all yr, particularly locations like pubs within the UK.
You possibly can, after all, nonetheless use wild tenting spots along with your motorhome or camper. Simply beware of sentimental muddy locations in forests- you’ll get caught very simply.
Study how you can discover in a single day parking spots across the UK and Europe right here
Contemplate the climate
Earlier than you head off in your winter motorhoming journey, pay additional consideration to the climate. Does the forecast embrace sturdy winds, fog, or snow?
None of these are a lot enjoyable in a van. Don’t overlook, you may all the time modify your plans to go well with no matter is forecast- that’s top-of-the-line issues about motorhoming.
Be sure to carry water, snacks and ideally some scorching 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… they usually actually love hiding in motorhomes and campervans.
There are methods to discourage them (humanely!). Listed here are our high suggestions for deterring mice and rodents in motorhomes and campers.
You too can see the injury they do on this video!
We hope you discovered the video helpful. When you did, we’d find it irresistible 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
Other than 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 yr, we broke all our personal guidelines and camped up on a grass pitch.
And obtained caught.
Making an attempt to push a 3.5ton motorhome out of the mud or off moist grass is rarely going to occur and with out these we’d have been stuffed (you should utilize the carpets from inside your van in case you’re actually caught, however they’re be ruined. Save your self the fear and carry a set of those all yr spherical.)
Groundsheet
We don’t often use a groundsheet after we’re motorhoming. More often than not, we keep in Aires or wild camp, so we are able to’t get it out and on a campsite we frequently use a hard-standing pitch relatively than a discipline.
Nevertheless, 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 might be pegged out securely within the corners so doesn’t fly away and which is wipe-downable. Some individuals choose two smaller ones to allow them to use a smaller measurement when wanted.
Screenwash
Screenwash is extra essential in winter than at every other time of yr. There’s a lot salt and grit on the street that it could make the windscreen additional soiled.
Be sure to high up your screenwash and produce additional. We love this one because it’s made for all yr 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 in case you don’t have one already! You’ll want one with a longer deal with like this so you may 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 elective!) We’ve used these for years on each the camper and our boats they usually actually are improbable for absorbing water from each canines and people in case you wipe your ft (paws) on them!
It’s simple to scrub with a jet wash if you’re cleansing your van however will final a very long time between washes if wanted.
Ingesting water
Most aires and campsites will maintain 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 all the time drink from our LifeSaver Jerrycan, which purifies 99.9% of all contaminated water, making it secure to drink.
Nevertheless, this yr we fitted an inline water filter, which suggests 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 could keep watch over your water consumption, which incorporates issues like showers, because it’s all coming from the one tank, relatively than supplying you with a backup water provide only for consuming.
READ MORE: The way to discover consuming water & empty waste on the street
Winter motorhoming- damp and condensation
Condensation in a motorhome or campervan is a ache within the bottom and is among the greatest points with winter motorhoming. There are a number of methods to cut back the issue, however only a few which eliminate it utterly.
Regardless of the chilly, your van will profit from a little bit air flow, so attempt to open a window at the very least as soon as a day for some recent air.
Some individuals run a dehumidifier, however you would possibly wrestle with electrical energy for that. Non-electric damp packing containers or pouches (like those you place in wardrobes) are a good suggestion to absorb at the very least a number of the moisture within the air.
See all our suggestions for decreasing condensation in your motorhome right here.
Coping with moist/ muddy clothes
The largest factor to determine is the way you’ll take care of damp garments and moist/ muddy/ snowy footwear. Taking all of them off on the door is important (therefore a groundsheet being helpful), however the place will you dry issues after they’re moist? The place will you grasp moist coats?
We’re fortunate that in our motorhome we’ve got a heating vent within the lavatory, 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 all places. When you don’t have a moist room, then a dry bag might be one other choice to maintain moist / damp garments in – additionally good for preserving smelly garments from stinking out your van 🙂
When you’re doing laundry on the street, that is the time to make use of web site amenities or a neighborhood laundrette. Ensure that all the things is dry earlier than you deliver it back- having a van stuffed 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
When you’re travelling with a canine, there are some things you’ll undoubtedly must cease them protecting the whole van in muck.
Listed here are our high 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 sensible for when you could clear your motorhome. All in all, price each penny.
Thermal Display screen
We LOVE our thermal display screen from Rainbow screens. Not solely is it a enjoyable speaking level, nevertheless it does its job exceptionally nicely, slicing down condensation and warmth loss by means of the home windows.
(Disclaimer; we have been gifted the display screen, however we’re not being paid or inspired to incorporate it on this post- we genuinely suppose it’s sensible.)
Nevertheless, we all know it’s costly, so right here’s a less expensive various 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 exterior could be a problem. You’ll in all probability need to add insulation to your van and undoubtedly add one other rug or carpet on the ground to maintain it a little bit hotter.
Heating
Even in case you’re chasing the sunshine down in Spain, it could 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 may not work in addition to you’re used to. It additionally means you could be selective about how a lot electrical energy you’re utilizing directly (you don’t need to be THAT van which is continually tripping everybody’s electrical energy…)
Gasoline heating works nicely, however you’ll use numerous it- we use round 6kg each 2 days.
Diesel heating is a superb various, however many vans don’t include it as customary. When you do match it, pay attention to the load and the way it impacts your motorhome payload. Another choice is an oil-filled radiator, however make certain it’s low wattage.
12v heated blanket
YES, you may 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 obtained chilly within the again seats if we didn’t drive with the heating on. This blanket fastened all that.
You too can put it UNDER your cover 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 blanket I’ve.
(When you’re , that is the powerbank I’ve)
RELATED: How to decide on the very best transportable energy station for motorhomes
Excessive Tog cover
Is there something higher than snuggling underneath a heat cover on a chilly night time? Make winter nights a little bit extra bearable with a 15 tog cover like this one (though clearly not in case you’re going to Spain!)
Different suggestions embrace carrying a LOT of scorching water bottles, carrying thermals and investing in some superior fluffy slipper socks like these.
Managing energy for winter motorhoming or residing in a camper yr spherical
When you’re on a campsite, you’ll in all probability have respectable entry to electrical energy. Nevertheless, in case you’re utilizing aires or staying off-grid, you’ll must pay extra consideration to your energy consumption and the way you’re going to high up your batteries.
Photo voltaic Energy
You possibly can’t depend on solar energy throughout winter to recharge your batteries in the identical approach you may at different instances of the yr. The solar isn’t as sturdy, there are extra dead nights 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 may, however don’t depend on it as your solely energy supply. When you’re planning on being off-grid loads, a motorhome generator might be a good suggestion.#
Energy Banks
An influence financial institution, like EcoFlow or Jackery are sensible for supplying energy for cooking and even an electrical blanket or small heater – this will depend on the scale / kind of energy financial institution and the equipment wattage utilization necessities. When you’re going to make use of an influence financial institution as a supply of energy, you could make certain it’s able to operating / powering the home equipment you may be utilizing.
Your motorhome Battery
Batteries don’t like chilly. They don’t run as successfully so you could be extra vigilant about taking care of them, ensuring they don’t run too low, giving them a very good cost commonly and usually babying them. Discover out extra about taking care of your motorhome leisure battery right here.
You might also need to match a motorhome inverter too, particularly in case you’re planning to remain off-grid loads. This may enable you to make greatest use of the ability in your batteries; simply keep in mind that photo voltaic isn’t so good in winter so it would take longer to recharge your batteries when you’ve drained them.
LED lights
We all the time suggest putting in LED lights in your van to avoid wasting power- particularly in case you’re staying off-grid loads, however in winter it turns into important as ‘regular’ bulbs drain the ability too shortly. Be sure to deliver spares- they’ll be on for longer throughout winter and also you’ll in all probability want to interchange a pair.
Cooking
Cooking within the motorhome might be problematic throughout winter. You need one thing hearty and filling, however the longer you cook dinner, the extra steam goes into the ambiance, inflicting damp and condensation.
Additionally, in case you’ve spent all day exterior, you in all probability received’t need to cook dinner if you return. That’s why we’ve got a low wattage sluggish cooker which we use loads 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 in addition good issues concerning the Prompt Pot. Each are price exploring.
In fact, there are lots of methods to take pleasure in winter motorhoming. When you identical to discovering a campsite close to your property which is open all yr and staying within the van for a weekend, you in all probability received’t must do a lot in another way. You possibly can even pre-cook hearty stews and produce it with you.
Equally, in case you take pleasure in staying off-grid and wild tenting along with your motorhome, you received’t want a lot additional 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 car is secure in no matter situations you would possibly end up driving in (like heavy rain!)
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