Winter Touring plans, tips and advice
Are you planning any trips away in your caravan or motorhome over the next few months? Have you been touring in winter before? If so we would love to hear what your plans are and if you have any advice for anyone thinking of going away this winter.
We are looking to share advice on winter touring in an upcoming magazine and would love any pictures you might have too from previous trips in the winter.
We look forward to hearing from you. 
Comments
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Our most recent experience was earlier this year when snow appeared across the UK. We were on the club site in York at Rowntree Park, most of us had to stay an extra few days because it wasn't safe to travel. We had some sensible warnings of how bad things were after reading comments on CT. Although we don't often use site facilities we had to this time as our pipes froze up. One or two vans froze up completely. We were glad that our heating kept us snug and warm but it was hard work keeping other things going so all I can say is "be prepared!
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We were also at Rowntree Park the last week in February and our biggest problem was that all the caravan waste water pipes froze so even though we kept the fresh water pipes and pump connection insulated we could not discharge the waste water. I eventually disconnected the sink outlet to get a straight down outlet and used a bucket to collect the waste water.
Because it was so cold it was only possible to keep one water tap at one site service point working so be prepared to walk further for water. Make sure you have at least a kettle full of water inside ready to boil to defrost a pipe if necessary or just make a hot drink next morning.
We always carry an electric fan heater just in case the main boiler breaks down and plenty of gas as we have experienced on site power cuts more than once.
Be prepared to change your journey plans to wait for roads to be cleared or gritted. Towing a caravan behind a front wheel drive car in snow or ice can be a difficult experience and even with four wheel drive its not easy.
We obviously also carry the usual shovel, deicer ,etc recommended for any winter travel by car.
None of this has discouraged us and we will still be out every month next year.
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If the forecast for a hard frost we always fill up both fully lagged water barrels and have a full water container inside the van too. All my waste pipes are lagged under the van, however I drain off into a bucket instead of my wastemaster, and I remove my water pump each night. I also put salt down each of the waste inlets from the sink and shower, and drop the shower head onto the floor of the shower compartment. Always be prepared to stay on site longer if the roads are bad.
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We were away at the end of January this year and it was unseasonably warm!!! It did go downhill as soon as we got home and we didn't go out again until April. We tend not to make any advance plans in winter but just keep an eye on the weather and if it looks half decent we will go away for a few days. Just wish there were a few more sites open.
David
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Meteorologicaly speaking at mid March these photos were taken in spring. We woke to find the snow had come further south than forecast. Certainly didn't fancy towing in it, but a visit to the warden soon sorted a change of plans. Site services were frozen, with only the pot washing sinks available for fresh water. However we were able to get out and about in the 4x4 without the van and moved on once conditions improved and we could get up the hills into the Cotswolds.
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We tend to leave the heating on overnight on a very low setting to avoid cold spots in the van and condensation from forming. Fridge vent covers go on too during cold weather. We stopped using any sort of awning in the winter years ago, the lighter weight awnings can't cope with the weight of snow or strong winds but some types are handy for winter gear.
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We have (since 1994)used our LVs all year and if forecast is for adverse weather we try to alter the booking for the site we are going to so we are there beforehand, and ready for what ever mother nature throws at us,
We go home tomorrow ,then on a Cl in Suffolk for new year and back here for annual birthday bash 3rd week in Jan may stay for max period
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We use our caravan all year round too. So far this winter we have been to York/Berwick and a couple of local trips to Strathclyde Park CC. We are booked to go over to Edinburgh for 4 nights between Christmas and new year and then after the new year we plan on either a trip down to the Lakes or possibly Southport (Not booked yet) over the winter we still tend to go to our regular weekend haunts (Lomond Woods, Strathclyde Park and The Ranch AS) We always just keep an eye on the weather if it is really bad we won't go although last year we only had to cancel one trip due to the weather as the snow was very bad. On our way back from Edinburgh CC site last year on Hogmanay there was a storm up here and we had to go home as the site was booked we just had to take it really easy on the roads but it wasn't too bad. We were away in the van last weekend and just left the heating on a low setting over night this just ensured that the van wasn't too cold in the morning. Overall we like winter touring it is just different but still enjoyable.
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Our friends in France take a Motorhome to the Alps for ski-ing and sometimes go to the tip of Spain looking for winter warmth, but none of them would ever dream of camping / Caravanning / motorhoming in their home country in winter. Frankly they are baffled why so many Brits choose to do the opposite. But then so am I .
Seasons greetings to you all.
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So do your French friends avoid the French Alps?
This is the Cairngorms in May but many go there for winter ski-ing too, it's just not so warm in the daytime as the Alps but not as cold overnight.
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If you have a severe frost then do not leave any towing mirrors on the car. We did this many years ago when travelling through France and experienced temperatures of Minus 10. We were only staying for a couple of nights but the frost cracked one of the mirrors. We also carry snow shoes for the tyres now but if intending to travel abroad in the depths of winter I would change to winter tyres.
Make sure your water pipes are lagged, your aquaria is snug in an insulated jacket and your water pump isn't exposed or bring it in at night.
It's also good for those couples who have forgotten how to cuddle to start practising asap. Always works for us.
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We are lucky in Norfolk as we can get clear, bright days and although cold we can wrap up warm and wander along our super large deserted beaches. Commune with nature before returning to our cosy home on wheels. Of course we aren’t crazy, just enjoying life to the full.
As a lot of continentals don’t start vanning until after Easter all the more pitches for us.
In the bleak mid winter we usually stay within an hour of home so if the weather is particularly bad we can leave the van empty on the CL and return home.
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I can't see what the problems are with going out all the year round. We have for the last 20+yrs, and in that time have only had to cancel one complete trip over Christmas as we couldn't get out of our road. There have been a few times that we've stayed on a site, usually a CL but this year on a CC site, for longer than we originally booked and so have had to cancel a subsequent site. There's been no problems as if we can't get out other's can't get in.
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+1.
We started off caravanning in 1988, and have always gone away in winter. Changed to a MH in 2000 and still go away all year round! Difference is now, unlike when we first started, we're no longer working, so can go away for longer. When we were still working, we used to go after work on the Friday, and not arrive until about 7.30pm. And back home on the Sunday.
Learned very early on to use propane rather than butane following arrival at Bolton Abbey at 7.30pm in winter, and it was that cold the gas wouldn't work. That was nearly 30 years ago and I can honestly say we really enjoy our winter trips. Just had a trip into Scotland for 10 days, Melrose, Edinburgh and Moffat ('t other club!) Had some cold, but sunny days and went walking every day; only last Saturday did we have rain during the day, and boy, did it rain! It's enjoyable in a different way to being away in summer, that's all, but no less enjoyable (IMHO of course, as always).
So my advice is, use propane and don't get caught out like we did.
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We enjoy winter caravanning but unfortunately can't "disappear" for too long as we have to consider how any adverse weather will affect our resident 85 year old. A few years ago she slipped on some ice and broke her wrist so is often reluctant to venture out and we feel guilty if staying too long. This year we did manage a 3 week break in late January between 2 bad snowy spells, thus being home for the worst.
I suspect we'd be content spending most of winter away but it is what it is and no point moaning about it.
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I've been using my van in the winter ever since I started caravanning. Initially we didn't have thermostaticaly controlled heating. I think this is a must for winter use. The Alde system of being able to set daytime and nightime temperatures is very good and the one I prefer. It is silent in operation and gives even heating throughout the van without encouraging condensation which internal gas fires tend to do. Water and waste tanks are unlikely to freeze solid in the UK but pipes even with pipe insulation are the worst for freezing especially at the entry point into the van. In my experience, these can usually cope with temperatures down to -5 to -7C. Nevertheless we still keep a container of water in the van should the worst happen. If I was planning on using a van for winter skiing where temperatures can be much lower, I would want a van with a false floor and with all the tanks and piping within the preferably heated space.
peedee
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Agree with your post InaD and others on here. I expect most of us who venture forth in the colder months have been caught out at some point, we, surprisingly, once had a freezing cold trip to Cornwall and learnt a few lessons there!
Seeing places out of season is a pleasant experience, often busy places are quiet. I think our snowy break in York earlier in the year, although hard work keeping things going had the bonus of empty streets and venues. Having the Jorvik centre to ourselves was one of them and getting into Betty's for a cake and coffee minus the usual queue was quite a change!
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I suppose all this comes under the term "chilling out"
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