caravanning in winter

[cazone]

Hi

we are planning a trip to the Christmas Market in Lincoln this year, and are hoping to book a weekend stay at a caravan site in the vicinity. We have been caravanning for 5 years now, but have never done so in the winter months.

Can anyone offer us any advice as to how to cope if the weather is really cold, eg. how do you stop your water from freezing in the aqua roll. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

The one thing I do know I will need is my longjohns!!!

Cheers, Roy.

 

[Charlie4]

We actually prefer wintercaravanning. Sites quieter and cant beat settling down on a night all snug in the van. Have been away down to -9 and still toasty in the van.

I get my van sorted for winter in the following ways

Aqua roll thermal jacket and isulation pipe on the pipe-some use old coats and the pipe goes in the sleeve.

as for waste water I empty it on a night if near full so it doeas not freeze.

thats about it really

Enjoy

 

[Froggy1]

Roy

We went to Troutbeck Headd CC site for Christmas last year. We had a couple of issues re the aquaroll and feed pipe freezing. However, the couple next to us had it sorted. They didn't use an external water supply, they had a couple of the 10 litre water containers and kept them inside the 'van and awning. The chap says that the caravan throughout the winter months and only use the external water when there is little or no risk of freezing. It's a tip I'm going to try this winter.

Cheers

 

[ChrisinSwansea]

We have just bought one of these jackets for our Aquaroll. Arrived yesterday, quality bit of kit...

http://www.bags2cover.co.uk/acatalog/bags_2_cover_Insulated_Aquaroll_Cover_40l_31.html
Chris

 

[Martin24]

we caravan all year round and nearly always without electric as well. We make sure the solar panel is always pointing the right way with the extra light and telly use, all the lights we use are LED and have a cover for the aquaroll and pipe. Apart from that we keep the waste emptied haev extra woolies and a hot water bottle each. We do tend to get the bedding out to warm up a bit before jumping into bed!

 

[James_374408700]

Roy,

Agree with all the above but one other thing to remember is if it snows then pay attention to the hook up lead as it can get frozen in the snow and you may not be able to remove it when you are going to leave.

Enjoy

Jim.

 

[cazone]

Hi,

Thanks for all of your replies, we shall take all your advice on board. We are no longer arfaid to try winter caravanning, but, as I said in my original post, I won't forget the longjohns!

Cheers, Roy.

 

[Graham_374475261]

Hi,

Thanks for all of your replies, we shall take all your advice on board. We are no longer arfaid to try winter caravanning, but, as I said in my original post, I won't forget the longjohns!

Cheers, Roy.

I heard of someone using a 150W aquarium heater in their aquaroll. Not seen one for less than

 

[DanPaula]

As Graham mentioned I reckon a small 50watt aquarium heater could be a good idea. Think it would keep the aquaroll above freezing but not sure about the pipe to caravan. You can pick up a new heater quite reasonable from an auction site. Maybe someone with experience of this method could advise further.

Dan.

 

[Hamer_5041128]

roy,

Having been winter caravanning for many years, prefer it to summer caravanning, one important point. Never switch off your heating, leave it on 24/7. turn it down lower at night or when you go out for the day, but never switch it off. Doing this will stop condensation. Even with outside temperatures down to -10C at night and below freezing during the day--no condensation. I have helped many people, some on this forum, to avoid condensation with this simple advice. If you are too warm at night put a window or two on the night catch but do not switch of the heating.

Also if you have an extractor fan, switch it on when you start cooking and leave it on for a couple of minutes after cooking.

This again helps to avoid condensation.

In cold and damp weather do not leave the entrance door open longer than you have to, this avoids cold damp air coming into the caravan, helps stop condensation, and keeps the caravan cosy and warm.

If the temp is going to drop below freezing at night,down the side of the caravan with the run of cold and hot water pipes, open slightly any cupboard doors before going to bed. This will help to stop pipes freezing. If a pipe does freeze thaw out with a hairdryer on low power.

If it gets very cold we put a 500watt Dimplex heater, not a fan heater due to the noise fan heaters make, in the washroom at the back end of the caravan.Nice and cosy if you have to get up in the night!!

My wife has an eye condition which is made worse by the blown air, so on her Consultants instructions we do not use blown air hence the heater.

Have a grear time winter caravanning.

Hamer

 

[emmerson2]

two 500watt oil-filled radiators, one at each end keeps our van cozy overnight, with top quality sleeping bags.We still have three holidays to go this year!

 

[JeremyClarksson]

re. Aquarium heater

Someone has suggested this before and somebody came back with a reply that this would be a problem when the roll becomes empty and the heater is part immersed.

It could lead to the glass failing and problems with mains voltages.

I think he had a valid point as someone who has kept aquariums and would not use it myself.

My preferred solution is the separate water container kept inside the caravan - you could have one in the toilet for handwashing and one in the kitchen for kettle/dishes.

We have had one rally where everything froze up and that included the waste pipes and waste container, we had to bring the waste container into the van to defrost it.

Winter caravanning is great though - nothing quite as cosy when the fire is going.

 

[charlie_374349329]

I agree with all the above.....and winter IS the best time. The best buy for us in winter was.....an electric blanket.....MMMM!!

Just a small basic one will do...doesnt have to be anything fancy

 

[Glenn_5132962]

We've done winter caravanning for a few years. Last year we were out in -6c temps for about 4 days. No probs with water supply into the van with an old coat over the aquaroll but dont attempt to use a mains water hook up as it will freeze solid. Our waste pipes under the van froze overnight & we couldn't empty the sink from washing up the next day. In future I will now take a small van heater & suitable extension lead so if this happens again I can set it up under the van & defrost the waste pipes.