Tips for Winter Camping
1. Check Your Pipes Before You Begin
Make sure water sitting in your pipes isn’t already frozen by the low temperatures. Damage from frozen pipes can cause serious damage, especially when on the road! If you find any frozen water before you leave or on your travels, start to thaw it out immediately. If you are travelling without campsites, bring water purifiers to ensure the water you are using isn't contaminated.
2. Bring Antifreeze & Salt
Bring antifreeze and salt for any time you find frozen water. In cold enough places, chances are even the most careful will experience frozen pipes. It is advisable to add anti-freeze to your waste water system, engine coolant and windscreen wiper fluid freezing (NEVER to your drinking water). Remember, never use salt in toilets or similar systems, as it can be corrosive.
3. Use Suitable Tyres
In areas with high snow or ice build up, winter tyres can make a huge difference to your trip. It is worth taking a look at the different options for winter tyres or snow chains.
4. Make Sure Sites Are Open- Find a Hook Up
While it may be your plan to wild camp and explore undiscovered lands, it’s worth looking up campsites that are open. Campsites should have electric hook up points. These are important to keep the your leisure battery fully charged. Besides it’s good to be prepared and know the area.
5. Park On A Slope
Consider the positioning of your motorhome. Parking on a slope will stop water from lying in any pipes. You can use wheel levellers to help, which will also stop you from sinking into the mud on wet and thawed ground.
6. Empty the Toilet Cassette Where Possible
2 words... frozen waste! Need I say anymore. Make sure you have a working toilet before you go. If not, we've got you covered with our range of portable toilets.
7. Use External or Internal Thermal Covers
Thermal mats will keep a significant amount of the heat inside, rather than letting it escape through the glass. You can use external thermal covers as an excellent way to stop condensation build up. Alternatively choose from our range of internal thermal mats which are easier to pack away and don’t get wet or damp.
8. Keep The Battery Charged
Make sure your battery is well-charged and able for the harsher conditions. It is a good idea to keep a spare on-board too.
9. Pack For Warmth
Winter in the campervan can be cosy but make sure to bring blankets, sleeping bags and cosy clothes.