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30 Important Issues to Know (2024 replace)


Planning to reside and journey in your motorhome this winter? Earlier than you set off, there are some issues you’ll want to find out about winter motorhoming, dwelling in a van throughout winter and easy methods to keep protected (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-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 time?

What about winter tyres- when would we alter if we had been travelling away from the UK? The place would we retailer our summer time tyres? What a couple of hotter duvet- would we stock 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 have to know easy methods to handle the downsides of winter tenting earlier than you set off in your epic winter street 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 in addition busy and historic locations just like the Menin Gate battle memorial in Ypres or Neuschwanstein Citadel in southern Germany.
  • Many locations are lined in snow, making the images magical. It’s additionally a should if you wish to go snowboarding!
  • Should you get pleasure from evening images, you may get some epic images 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 points of interest and locations of curiosity shut for the winter
  • Many campsites shut too, so areas on the ones obtainable 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 could be tough in freezing temperatures, particularly in snow and ice.
  • Your motorhome can undergo from damp, condensation and mildew if you happen to don’t take care of it correctly (extra on that later)
  • Drying garments and laundry could be a ache (extra on that later too)
  • Sturdy winds and rain could be powerful 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 loads of gasoline for the heating system and it takes longer to heat up the water heater/water tanks.

Through the years, we’ve received a routine down for our winter journeys, and we all know the pitfalls to search for and easy methods to cope with them.

Winter Motorhome van life- the truth

Right here’s a video of the issues I’ve learnt while dwelling 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 find it irresistible if you adopted us on Youtube. New movies with ideas for motorhoming and campervanning within the UK and Europe are launched weekly.


Forms 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 reside 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 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, however 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’ll want to do in a different way than through the summer time, though don’t overlook you now have to adjust to the French winter tyre regulation (even if you happen to’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.)

This way subscribes you (free!) to the Wandering Chook mailing record. We share ideas, itineraries, and useful guides like this for street trippers and motorhomers.

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It does additionally get chilly in winter in lots of locations in Europe, even if you happen to’re heading additional east and going motorhoming in Croatia or Greece. We will make no ensures, however if you happen to’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 on the lookout for snow, there’s quite a bit you’ll have to do to arrange your motorhome for winter within the mountains.

Gear you’ll want to 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 to know easy methods to match them upfront and TEST them!) We unintentionally purchased the flawed measurement and so they didn’t match. 🙁
  • Chances are you’ll want winter tyres; just like the new French winter tyre regulation
  • Shovel- a vital 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 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 have to insulate your automobile, particularly the pipework and put an additional rug/ carpet on the ground.

Be sure you’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 standard.

Should you’d like extra ideas and tips, try our submit on motorhome snowboarding right here, which tells you all the pieces you’ll want to 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 marvel which motorhome to purchase for winter use or winter RV dwelling 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 wonderful. Certain, it was a bit of chilly, and we would have liked to insulate the pipes and holding tanks a bit of higher, however it did the job.

In fact, European producers from international locations 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 if you happen to’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 think about

Should you’re planning a winter motorhome journey or winter RV tenting, there are many issues to think about.

(Should you’re new to motorhoming and need some assist with the place to start out, right here’s easy methods to plan EPIC motorhome journeys anyplace you need to go.)


The largest issues with utilizing a motorhome or campervan within the winter embody:

  • The place to remain
  • Climate situations 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 go away discovering someplace to remain difficult.

We lately took our motorhome right down to Biarritz in southern France- STUNNING place to go to if you happen to 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 if you happen to’re capable of journey exterior of peak season (which is normally finish of June till September.) Should you can go to Europe exterior these occasions, 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 search out them. There’s normally at the very least one close to each main metropolis/ in style space. In fact, the extra in style the world, 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 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 (normally by cellphone or electronic mail.)

Motorhome skiing- how to winterise and prepare your motorhome or campervan for winter in the mountains
Find out how to winterise and put together your motorhome or campervan for winter within the mountains

For the UK

Campsites for UK winter street journeys can a bit of 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 test their web site or cellphone to ask. Sure, this may be laborious and irritating.

An alternative choice is to make use of a web site like Pitchup.com, which lets you seek for your dates, necessities (like a motorhome onerous standing pitch with electrical and which permits canine) and then you definitely ebook by means of them.

Lastly, if you happen to’re a member of a motorhome membership, you need to use their web site or ebook to search out locations.

winter motorhome trip tips and full time camper living all year round- how to use a motorhome in winter
Winter motorhome dwelling in Sierra Nevada

Aires in Europe in winter

Many Aires in France and Europe keep open all yr, until they’re closed for upkeep or because of heavy snow (or the roads near them being closed.)

Nonetheless, there are sufficient of them that if you happen to solely need to keep someplace for an evening or two as you’re travelling by means of, they make the right cease.

Simply keep 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 injury.

READ MORE: Find out how to discover and use Aires in France and Europe


Different motorhome parking in winter

In fact, there are many different schemes if you happen to 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, 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.

Study easy methods 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 robust winds, fog, or snow?

None of these are a lot enjoyable in a van. Don’t overlook, you may all the time regulate your plans to go well with no matter is forecast- that’s the most effective issues about motorhoming.

Be sure you 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 high ideas for deterring mice and rodents in motorhomes and campers.

You can even see the injury they do on this video!

We hope you discovered the video helpful. Should you did, we’d find it irresistible 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!)

van life with kids- everything you need to know about travelling in a motorhome or camper van with a child
Our motorhome in winter- our daughter beloved it 🙂

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 received caught.

Making an attempt 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 need to use the carpets from inside your van if you happen to’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 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 subject.

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 could be pegged out securely within the corners so doesn’t fly away and which is wipe-downable. Some folks desire two smaller ones to allow them to use a smaller measurement when wanted.


Screenwash

Screenwash is extra necessary in winter than at some other time of yr. There’s a lot salt and grit on the street that it may possibly make the windscreen further soiled.

Be sure you high up your screenwash and convey further. 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 if you happen to 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 making an attempt to keep away from mud and moist footprints within the van, get a mat like this (pawprint non-obligatory!) We’ve used these for years on each the camper and our boats and so they actually are unbelievable for absorbing water from each canine and people if you happen to wipe your ft (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 preserve a faucet working. DON’T flip this off- it’s working in order that the pipe doesn’t freeze (working 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 protected to drink.

Nevertheless, 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’ll want to keep watch over your water consumption, which incorporates issues like showers, because it’s all coming from the one tank, somewhat than supplying you with a backup water provide only for consuming.

READ MORE: Find out how 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 without doubt one of the greatest points with winter motorhoming. There are a number of methods to cut back the issue, however only a few which eliminate it fully.

Regardless of the chilly, your van will profit from a bit of 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 may wrestle with electrical energy for that. Non-electric damp bins 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 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 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 now we have 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, however it saves there being damp gear in all places.

Should you’re doing laundry on the street, that is the time to make use of web site amenities or an area laundrette. Be certain that all the pieces 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

Should you’re travelling with a canine, there are some things you’ll undoubtedly have to cease them overlaying 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’ll want to clear your motorhome. All in all, price each penny.


Thermal Display screen

We LOVE our thermal display from Rainbow screens. Not solely is it a enjoyable speaking level, however it does its job exceptionally effectively, chopping down condensation and warmth loss by means of the home windows.

(Disclaimer; we had been gifted the display, 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 bit of hotter.

Heating

Even if you happen to’re chasing the sunshine down in Spain, it may possibly 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’re used to. It additionally means you’ll want to be selective about how a lot electrical energy you’re utilizing without delay (you don’t need to be THAT van which is consistently tripping everybody’s electrical energy…)

Gasoline heating works effectively, however you’ll use loads of it- we use round 6kg each 2 days.

Diesel heating is a superb various, however many vans don’t include it as customary. Should you do match it, pay attention to the load 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 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 dwelling was that she received chilly within the again seats if we didn’t drive with the heating on. This blanket fastened all that.

You can even 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.

(Should 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 a bit of extra bearable with a 15 tog cover like this one (though clearly not if you happen to’re going to Spain!)

Different ideas 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 dwelling in a camper yr spherical

Should you’re on a campsite, you’ll in all probability have first rate entry to electrical energy. Nevertheless, if you happen to’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 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 occasions of the yr. The solar isn’t as robust, there are extra dead nights and extra areas of shade. Additionally, you’ll be utilizing extra energy than you may 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. Should 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’ll want to be extra vigilant about taking care of them, ensuring they don’t run too low, giving them a very good cost usually and usually babying them. Discover out extra about taking care of your motorhome leisure battery right here.

You may additionally need to match a motorhome inverter too, particularly if you happen to’re planning to remain off-grid quite a bit. This can aid you make greatest use of the ability in your batteries; simply keep in mind that photo voltaic just isn’t so good in winter so it’ll 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 if you happen to’re staying off-grid quite a bit, however in winter it turns into important as ‘regular’ bulbs drain the ability too rapidly. Be sure you 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 prepare dinner, the extra steam goes into the ambiance, inflicting damp and condensation.

Additionally, if you happen to’ve spent all day exterior, you in all probability gained’t need to prepare dinner whenever you return. That’s why now we have a low wattage gradual cooker which we use quite a bit 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 On the spot Pot. Each are price exploring.


In fact, there are lots of methods to get pleasure from winter motorhoming. Should you similar to discovering a campsite close to your house which is open all yr and staying within the van for a weekend, you in all probability gained’t have to do a lot in a different way. You possibly can even pre-cook hearty stews and convey it with you.

Equally, if you happen to get pleasure from staying off-grid and wild tenting along with your motorhome, you gained’t want a lot further until you go someplace very chilly (like up a mountain!)

Simply keep in mind to test your programs earlier than you go and do your pre-trip motorhoming checks to make sure your automobile is protected in no matter situations you may end up driving in (like heavy rain!)

Final replace on 2024-03-06 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API

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