If your work commitments permit, why not travel whenever you can? You won’t be alone on your trips! Whether you seek out some snow or some sunshine, here are our top tips for your winter wanders.
Refrigerator covers To prevent a fridge over-cooling, covers are made for the external air vents. On a Dometic or Electrolux fridge, these should be fitted when outside temperatures fall below 10C (50F). On a Thetford fridge, covers are required when temperatures fall below 8C (46F).
Preferred gas Propane is far more suitable for use in low temperatures. Whereas liquefied butane fails to change to gas vapour in temperatures below 0C (32F), propane still vaporises in temperatures as low as minus 40C (minus 44F).
Fresh water If you have an external water supply container, purchase an insulated jacket like this or cover it up with an old blanket in daytime. At night, when temperatures are often much lower, many caravanners transfer a container indoors to keep it warm.
Waste tanks Motorhomes usually have waste water tanks and if their contents freeze solid, problems arise. It’s better to leave a tank’s water release valve permanently open so water passes through and collects in a bucket or purpose-made container Empty it as often as needed.
Fixed heaters Most modern caravan heaters are really efficient, but their safe operation depends on regular servicing. However, a full overhaul of heating appliances is NOT included in a standard habitation service because it involves dismantling work. So specify this as an ‘extra’.
Portable heaters Electric heaters consume a large amount of 230V electricity, but some fan types work on their lowest setting without ‘tripping’ a site supply. For safety, don’t leave one running when you leave your ‘van. Some experts claim oil-filled portable 230V radiators are safer.
Cab insulation Whereas modern touring caravans have double glazed windows throughout, many motorhomes suffer heat loss through the glass windows in their cab. Ever since Silver Screens were launched in 1986, cab covers like these are regarded as ‘must-have’ accessories.
Awnings Many caravan and motorhome owners extend their living space with the use of an awning. In warm, dry conditions a full awning’s fine but it takes a fair time to erect. So for winter conditions, a ‘porch’ or a ‘half awning’ is often preferred for storing wet wellies.
Sleeping gear There’s no doubt it’s often quite cold at night and winter touring enthusiasts accept that they’ll need some good bedding. Those who started out as campers are content with mountain sleeping bags whereas others prefer a mountain of duvets.
Take a look at our top all year round sites.
Relevant links:
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/advice/31928-how-to-get-the-best-from-your-gas-bottle-regulator
The Alan Rogers Team
Content Writers
Every year our team of expert assessors visit hundreds of campsites throughout Europe, in search of the best.
Alan Rogers started with the specific aim of providing people with the necessary information to make an informed decision about their holiday destination. Today we still do that.
The information we provide now takes many forms, not just printed guides. One element that has not changed is our expertise.
