Planning to reside and journey in your motorhome this winter? Earlier than you set off, there are some issues you could learn about winter motorhoming, residing in a van throughout winter and the right way to keep protected (and heat!) in colder climate.
*We work exhausting to make this one of the best motorhome journey weblog and highway journey web site attainable, stuffed with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so in case you purchase by hyperlinks on this web site we could earn a commission- at no additional value to you. All opinions stay our personal.
In case you discover this put up helpful, you possibly can additionally deal with us to a espresso – we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even bask in a biscuit (or two!)
Winter Van Life- the challenges
After I stop my job to journey in a motorhome nearly fulltime, I by no means actually thought-about the winter.
Oh, we considered 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 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 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 the right 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 in style sites- that is the time to go to cities like Rome, Venice or Paris, but additionally busy and historic locations just like the Menin Gate battle memorial in Ypres or Neuschwanstein Fort in southern Germany.
- Many locations are coated in snow, making the pictures magical. It’s additionally a should if you wish to go snowboarding!
- In case you take pleasure in evening images, you will get some epic pictures 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 attainable.
- There are fewer hours of daylight, so much less time to discover
- Highway circumstances could 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 is usually a ache (extra on that later too)
- Sturdy winds and rain could be powerful to sleep by (ask any of us who survived Storm Denis in a van!)
- It may be COLD (except you’ve gone south) so that you’ll use lots of gas for the heating system and it takes longer to heat up the water heater/water tanks.
Through the years, we’ve bought a routine down for our winter journeys, and we all know the pitfalls to search for and the right way to cope with 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. In case you did, we’d like it if you adopted us on Youtube. New movies with ideas for motorhoming and campervanning within the UK and Europe are launched weekly.
Sorts of winter motorhoming & van life
There are a number of varieties of people that use their motorhomes within the winter, broadly categorised into:
- Those chasing winter sunshine
- Others chasing snow and mountain life
- Those that reside fulltime of their motorhome or campervan
- Everybody else, who simply enjoys exploring and spending time within the can when attainable, 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 beneath
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 resolution.
After all, 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, but it surely’s nonetheless attainable 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 an entire lot you could do in another way than through the summer season, though don’t overlook you now must adjust to the French winter tyre regulation (even in case you’re simply passing by.)
If you’re driving your motorhome or campervan by France (in addition to all the remainder of the gear you need- seize your FREE Europe journey guidelines beneath.)
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
In case you’re the opposite finish of the spectrum and on the lookout for snow, there’s rather a lot you’ll must do to arrange your motorhome for winter within the mountains.
Gear you could carry for winter campervanning within the mountains
In addition to the same old gear you want for motorhome touring in Europe, you’ll want to hold:
- snow chains (be sure you know the right way to match them upfront and TEST them!) We by accident purchased the improper measurement they usually didn’t match. 🙁
- You could 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 must examine 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 prime up the screenwash; salt on the roads means you’ll use it much more than regular.
In case you’d like extra ideas and methods, try our put up on motorhome snowboarding right here, which tells you every part you could 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 beneath.
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 attainable 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 wonderful. Positive, it was somewhat chilly, and we would have liked to insulate the pipes and holding tanks somewhat higher, but it surely did the job.
After all, European producers from nations that are used to mountains and snow can have a better insulation degree (some even have an excessive climate package deal and heated hoses), however additionally they value 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 could 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
In case you’re planning a winter motorhome journey or winter RV tenting, there are many issues to contemplate.
(In case you’re new to motorhoming and wish some assist with the place to begin, right here’s the right way to plan EPIC motorhome journeys anyplace you wish to go.)
The largest issues with utilizing a motorhome or campervan within the winter embrace:
- 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 assets
- 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 might go away discovering someplace to remain difficult.
We not too long ago took our motorhome right 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 just a few years now and it’s good in case you’re in a position to journey exterior of peak season (which is often finish of June till September.) In case 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/ guide are nice locations to examine to see when campsites shut. There are sufficient which keep open all yr; you simply want to search out them. There’s often at the very least one close to each main metropolis/ in style space. After all, the extra in style the realm, the faster you’ll must guide.
The opposite technique 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 guide (often by telephone 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 yr.
We use an app referred to as Seek for Websites to search out campsites close to our vacation spot, then examine their web site or telephone to ask. Sure, this may be laborious and irritating.
Another choice is to make use of a web site like Pitchup.com, which lets you seek for your dates, necessities (like a motorhome exhausting standing pitch with electrical and which permits canines) and then you definitely guide by them.
Lastly, in case you’re a member of a motorhome membership, you need to use their web site or guide to search out locations.
Aires in Europe in winter
Many Aires in France and Europe keep open all yr, except they’re closed for upkeep or because of heavy snow (or the roads near them being closed.)
Nonetheless, there are sufficient of them that in case you solely wish to keep someplace for an evening or two as you’re travelling by, they make the proper cease.
Simply keep in mind, ones close to mountains might be closed and if they’ve services like water often, the faucets is perhaps turned off to keep away from harm.
READ MORE: The way to discover and use Aires in France and Europe
Different motorhome parking in winter
After all, there are many different schemes in case you don’t wish 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, in fact, 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.
Be taught the right way to discover in a single day parking spots across the UK and Europe right here
Take into account 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 possibly can all the time regulate your plans to go well with 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… they usually actually love hiding in motorhomes and campervans.
There are methods to discourage them (humanely!). Listed below are our prime ideas for deterring mice and rodents in motorhomes and campers.
You can too see the harm they do on this video!
We hope you discovered the video helpful. In case you did, we’d like it if you adopted us on Youtube. New movies with ideas 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 bought caught.
Attempting 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 need to use the carpets from inside your van in case you’re actually caught, however they’re be ruined. Save your self the concern 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 will’t get it out and on a campsite we regularly use a hard-standing pitch fairly than a area.
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 could be pegged out securely within the corners so doesn’t fly away and which is wipe-downable. Some folks choose two smaller ones to allow them to use a smaller measurement when wanted.
Screenwash
Screenwash is extra essential in winter than at another time of yr. There’s a lot salt and grit on the highway that it will possibly make the windscreen additional soiled.
Be sure to prime up your screenwash and produce additional. We love this one because it’s made for all yr use, even in colder climates, so gained’t freeze on you whenever you want it most. The Demon Ice spray can 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 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 optionally available!) We’ve used these for years on each the camper and our boats they usually actually are incredible for absorbing water from each canines and people in case you wipe your toes (paws) on them!
It’s simple to scrub with a jet wash whenever you’re cleansing your van however will final a very long time between washes if wanted.
Ingesting 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 more durable 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 protected to drink.
Nonetheless, this yr 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 could keep watch over your water consumption, which incorporates issues like showers, because it’s all coming from the one tank, fairly than supplying you with a backup water provide only for ingesting.
READ MORE: The way 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 largest points with winter motorhoming. There are a number of methods to scale back the issue, however only a few which do away with it utterly.
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 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 few of the moisture within the air.
See all our ideas for decreasing 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 sneakers. 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 have now 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, but it surely saves there being damp gear in every single place.
In case you’re doing laundry on the highway, that is the time to make use of web site services or an area laundrette. Make certain every part is dry earlier than you convey it back- having a van stuffed with damp clothes is not any enjoyable in any respect.
If the campsite has a drying room for moist ski gear, use it.
Winter Motorhoming with a canine
In case you’re travelling with a canine, there are some things you’ll undoubtedly must cease them overlaying all the van in muck.
Listed below 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 could clear your motorhome. All in all, price each penny.
Thermal Display
We LOVE our thermal display screen from Rainbow screens. Not solely is it a enjoyable speaking level, but it surely does its job exceptionally nicely, slicing down condensation and warmth loss by 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 good.)
Nonetheless, 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 is usually a problem. You’ll in all probability wish to add insulation to your van and undoubtedly add one other rug or carpet on the ground to maintain it somewhat hotter.
Heating
Even in case you’re chasing the sunshine down in Spain, it will possibly nonetheless get chilly sufficient to want 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 without delay (you don’t wish to be THAT van which is consistently tripping everybody’s electrical energy…)
Gasoline heating works nicely, however you’ll use lots of it- we use round 6kg each 2 days.
Diesel heating is a good various, however many vans don’t include it as customary. In case you do match it, concentrate on the load and the way it impacts your motorhome payload. Another choice is an oil-filled radiator, however ensure that 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 bought chilly within the again seats if we didn’t drive with the heating on. This blanket mounted all that.
You can too 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 one I’ve.
(In case you’re , that is the powerbank I’ve)
Excessive Tog cover
Is there something higher than snuggling underneath a heat cover on a chilly evening? Make winter nights somewhat extra bearable with a 15 tog cover like this one (though clearly not in case you’re going to Spain!)
Different ideas embrace carrying a LOT of sizzling water bottles, sporting thermals and investing in some superior fluffy slipper socks like these.
Managing energy for winter motorhoming or residing in a camper yr spherical
In case you’re on a campsite, you’ll in all probability have respectable entry to electrical energy. Nonetheless, 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 prime up your batteries.
Photo voltaic Energy
You possibly can’t depend on solar energy throughout winter to recharge your batteries in the identical method you possibly can at different instances of the yr. The solar isn’t as sturdy, there are extra nighttimes 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. In case you’re planning on being off-grid quite a bit, a motorhome generator might be a good suggestion.
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 cost frequently and usually 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 in case you’re planning to remain off-grid quite a bit. This may allow you to make finest use of the facility in your batteries; simply do not forget that photo voltaic isn’t so good in winter so it can take longer to recharge your batteries when you’ve drained them.
LED lights
We all the time advocate putting in LED lights in your van to save lots of power- particularly in case you’re staying off-grid quite a bit, however in winter it turns into important as ‘regular’ bulbs drain the facility too rapidly. Be sure to convey 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 could be problematic throughout winter. You need one thing hearty and filling, however the longer you cook dinner, the extra steam goes into the environment, inflicting damp and condensation.
Additionally, in case you’ve spent all day exterior, you in all probability gained’t wish to cook dinner whenever you return. That’s why we have now a sluggish cooker which we solely use throughout winter.
After all, this depends on an honest 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 price exploring.
After all, there are a lot of methods to take pleasure in winter motorhoming. In case you identical to discovering a campsite close to your private home which is open all yr and staying within the van for a weekend, you in all probability gained’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 gained’t want a lot additional except you go someplace very chilly (like up a mountain!)
Simply keep in mind to examine your techniques earlier than you go and do your pre-trip motorhoming checks to make sure your car is protected in no matter circumstances you would possibly end up driving in (like heavy rain!)
Final replace on 2023-12-24 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
