Top 10 Tips for Winter Caravanning

Don't let a touch of frost put you off your yearly winter caravanning escapades. Here's how to put Jack Frost in his place when you're out and about this winter.

1. Keep Dry
Lady winter doesn't care how high your specs are or how good your insulation is; she'll expect a frosty welcome. However, Grade 3 insulation caravans (EN1645) and motorhomes (EN1646 standard) are easier and cheaper to keep warm in the winter. Large single-glazed windows and windscreens can lose a great deal of heat on winter touring trips. So, consider buying an insulated internal cover for your motorhome, looking for external thermal blinds, or fitting your caravan with a DIY screen if you can't find covers to fit your side windows. Thermal curtains may help keep your caravan warmer, but they can also make condensation worse if they're too thick and you don't have double-glazed windows. Fitting a sturdy awning will also help keep moisture away, and you only need one large enough to store muddy boots and frosty coats in.

2. Keep Warm
Stock up on propane (red cylinder). It's the ideal LPG for winter motorhoming because it works at very low temperatures. But only carry as much as will fit in your gas locker. Always open a window when you're cooking, and don't use the gas over or hub to heat up the caravan. Check vents, intakes, and exhausts and make sure they're not covered with snow. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm and have a qualified technician check your gas system.

When switching to electric, opt for a 16A hook-up, which is capable of supplying various equipment on top of your heater without tripping the system or the supply board. Consider investing in a generator or a secondary battery that can be fitted safely onto your tourer, bearing in mind that an incorrect 12V wiring can cause a fire. To save up on gas and power, bring along an electric blanket, deck the floors with carpets, throw in some cushions and throws, and keep curtains pulled when it's sunny.

3. Prevent Burst Pipes
You don't want water to freeze in your pipes and cause them to burst, so keep them at temperatures above freezing point. If that's not an option, then use tank heaters in your water tanks and keep waste drain taps open. Consider buying an insulated cover for your external water tanks. Keeping a small water container inside may be enough for your morning tea, but if you spend most of your time in the caravan, it may be best to fit your pump with a winter housing kit, your shower with a conversion kit, and your fridge vent with a Dometic winter cover. When not in use, drain down the water systems into buckets and keep all taps open. If you've had burst pipes before, it may help to pour some salt down them to lower the freezing temperature. Keep self-fusing silicone tape ('Rescue Tape') close at hand when you're winter caravanning, to seal leaking pipes quickly.

4. Expect the Unexpected
Have your emergency kit at the ready, so that you're never snowed in, stuck in slush, or unable to manoeuvre the caravan in poor weather. Gather winter motorhoming essentials like shovels, grip mats, de-icers, ice scrapers, brushes, snow chains, wheel grips, warning triangles, and tow ropes. Consider buying a wind-up torch with seat-belt cutter and glass smasher, waterproof gloves, warm blanket, and demist pads. Should something go wrong, having access to a powerbank or a replacement battery for your phone, some basic first aid gear, and a few snacks can make a world of difference.

5. Keep It Ship-Shape
Winter touring safety starts with keeping your motorhome and caravan in shape. It goes without saying that you should service your motorhome and caravan yearly, before winter comes. Check your tyre pressure or get a TPMS to do it for you. Fit your motorhome or tow car with winter tyres, which don't harden in low temperatures. Alternatively, opt for all-season tyres with higher traction in mud and snow (hence the M+S marking) than summer tread tyres. Also, remember to clear the snow off your tourer every day, because police don't take roof snow avalanches lightly.

6. Deep Clean
Don't forget to give your motorhome or caravan a deep clean before winter sets in. Clean the exterior with Fenwick Over Wintering products, remove rust and scratches, and give it a wax or apply some other caravan protective coating. Check your windows for scratches as well, and give them a thorough wash with a UPVC cleaner. Finally, clear your pipes and tanks before you set off, and your winter touring adventures should be off to a good start.

7. Spare Your Liquids
Winter caravanning loses its charm if all your gear freezes up. Store waste tank additives and water inside, if possible. Use AquaKem blue sachets or Dometic Powercare toilet tabs, Aqua Clean purification tablets, and similar products to replace your liquid cleaning products.

8. Make It Stand Out
Most caravans and motorhomes are painted white, so driving or towing one in heavy snowfall can be dangerous. Both the front and the back of all your vehicles should be clearly visible to you and other motorists. So, consider buying a few extra caravan reflectors and towing triangles to take the worries out of winter motorhoming.

Use Fiamma signs over protruding objects, such as cycle racks, extra tyres, gas cylinders, and other common winter caravanning equipment. Make sure the stripes point to the top right corner if you're driving in the UK, but check local legislation when abroad. Colourful window signs can help your caravan stand out from the white backdrop as well, especially on serpentine roads.

9. Plan Ahead
Don't set off without checking the best routes for your journey first. Check traffic updates online, see if your tom-tom flags up any issues on the way, and take a map as back-up. Allow more time for the journey than you would in warmer weather, and drive carefully in freezing conditions. If your destination is remote and the weather forecast is bleak, consider buying a GPS tracker and entrusting someone close to you with the details.

10. Do Your Homework
For added peace of mind, familiarize yourself with your insurance plan and how your winter motorhoming may affect it, particularly if you're driving abroad. Read your breakdown and recovery service terms before you set off on a long drive. Finally, let someone know where you're headed and share your whereabouts with a family member on a daily basis.