Winter Touring Tips

Rowena
Rowena Administrator, Club Member, Staff Posts: 221 admin
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in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hi everyone,

With the recent cold weather we have been experiencing lately winter really seems to have arrived! For some of us it's the perfect excuse to head out to enjoy the crisp air and stunning frosty scenery.

I'd love to hear your top tips for making the most of winter trips in your caravans and motorhomes? How do you keep warm and comfortable inside and what are you top Club campsites and CLs for winter stays?

Comments

  • JimE
    JimE Club Member Posts: 369
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    #2

    My advice: head south to winter sun in Spain or Portugal - CAMC organise some excellent long stay rallies.

    Failing that, my advice for motorhomers is :

    • If freezing temperatures are forecast, leave your waste tank outlet open and use a bucket.
    • Use an insulated silver screen on your windscreen to minimise condensation.
    • Take a Karcher Window Vac to clear the condensation if it does build up.

    I don't use sites in the UK in the winter, but my favourite sites for winter sun are Alannia Costa Brava and Camping Bonterra Park. On the way down to Spain, I use aires as very few sites are open at that time of year.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,618
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    edited January 13 #3

    I don't really do anything different in the UK during freezing weather. I've found the caravan keeps nice and warm on the 1Kw setting on electric but it may take gas and electric to get it warmed up from cold on arrival and if we go out we'll turn down the heating thermostat but still keep it on. If it's really cold then we'll lag the aquaroll but we would definitely recommend have a good supply of water inside the caravan just in case. We use SPs and while the aquaroll has never frozen the taps and water hose might so it's best to turn off the tap and make sure there isn't much water left in the hose in case it freezes. Actually our only frozen pipe once was the waste pipe was so we make sure that's as empty as possible overnight. Other than that a porch awning helps to keep the heat when opening the door.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,770
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    #4

    @Cornersteady - that mirrors our experience as well. Re the water supply - that's the main reason I had an on-board tank fitted by the dealer before we took delivery of this van. Was most surprised (and so were they) that a twin axle of that spec didn't already have one.

    There is one additional item I have subsequently fitted and it's proved to be an absolute boon in cold / wet weather - and that's a heated towel rail.

    IMG_1541.JPG

    We usually dry towels on one of those 'whirlygig' thingys but they're not much use if it's pouring down or freezing!

    This only uses 600w and although you've got to manage the inevitable condensation in the bathroom, it's been absolutely brilliant and worth every penny.

    It was quite an easy install as well, although I had to make sure I reinforced the back of the wardrobe wall because it's quite heavy.

    Nothing nicer than coming out of the shower on a cold and frosty morning and reaching for a hot, dry towel!!

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