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Winter Caravanning: Staying Warm & Touring in the Cold

Winter caravanning is a real joy — quiet sites, frosty landscapes and cosy evenings — provided your van and kit are up to it. Here’s how to stay warm, dry and safe touring in the cold.

Heating

Your built-in blown-air or gas heater does the heavy lifting; a supplementary low-wattage electric heater takes the edge off on hook-up. Whatever you use, keep ventilation and a working carbon-monoxide alarm as non-negotiables.

Insulation

Keep the heat you make. Thermal window blinds and external screens, an insulated groundsheet or flooring, and draught exclusion around doors make a startling difference to comfort and running costs.

Beat condensation

A warm, occupied van gets damp fast. Ventilate even when it’s cold, run a dehumidifier, and wipe the windows down in the morning so nothing sits wet.

Protect the water system from frost

Frost is the enemy. Use an insulated or heated hose, keep an Aquaroll cover on, and if hard frost is forecast and you’re not using it, drain down. A frozen pipe can end a trip fast.

Warm bedding

Insulation matters underneath you as much as on top — a good mattress topper and a cold-rated sleeping setup, plus thermals, mean you actually enjoy the frosty mornings.

Pitch smart

Book hardstanding with an electric hook-up, park out of the prevailing wind, and keep a clear, non-slip path to the door. Small choices, big comfort.

Get the heating, insulation and frost protection right and winter becomes one of the best times to be out in the van.

Kit out for winter touring

Heating, insulation and frost protection for cold-weather trips.

Next article How to Winterise a Campervan (VW & Conversions)

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