Traveling by camper in winter. Answers to 6 questions everyone asks
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Winter camping is a great adventure and we highly recommend it. Thousands of people travel in campers in winter and really appreciate it. Winter caravanning has many advantages: it is exciting, allows you to experience beautiful nature and is much cheaper.
Phot. Kenny Leys on Unsplash.
In winter, you can pay up to 3000% less for accommodation in Europe's 60 campsites than in summer. Moreover, during the winter season, campervan rental companies offer significant promotions that are worth taking advantage of.
Magda:
We don’t have our own camper; we rent one and recommend going in winter. It's not as difficult as it might seem! A winter trip costs about half the price of a summer trip, including a discount on off-season rentals and an ASCI discount on camping. All technical issues related to the camper are resolved by the rental company. You don't have to be a car expert to try this.
However, remember that you need to be prepared for a winter camper trip to avoid surprises. In this article we answer 6 most frequently asked questions, supplemented with advice from experienced tourists.
1. Where to go with a camper in winter?
The departure route should be carefully considered. In winter, you can only stay in year-round campsites. It should be remembered that many facilities operate during the high season, that is, from spring to autumn, and simply close during the winter months.
Look at the route with a critical eye. If you're heading into the proverbial "wilderness," be aware that some backcountry or dirt roads may be difficult to navigate after heavy snowfall. The same applies to approaches to forest parking lots and country roads without asphalt from small villages where snowplows do not work. Even the best drivers can get stuck on huge slopes in deep snow.
RV camping in winter. Photo Base "Polish Caravanning".
If you're new to winter caravanning, it may be safer to stay closer to "civilization". Many tourists go to the mountains in a campervan in winter and ride at popular resorts. This is a good solution for beginners and people who don't feel able to withstand the force of winter weather in the wild.
If , select objects marked with an asterisk under the name (they are year-round).
2. Is it possible to camp outdoors in a camper in winter?
Yes, but with some reservations. You need to find a place protected from the wind and away from areas where there is a risk of an avalanche or snow rolling down the slope. It is best to explore this place in daylight. Check for icicles on tree branches that could damage the camper.
Photo by Gitis M. Unsplash.
Dorota and Andrzej:
We have been traveling by camper for many years, we do not use campsites and only camp in nature, but only in the summer we go to places where there is no Wi-Fi or poor reception. In winter we stay where there is internet access and we can make calls easily. It's safer this way. In winter, you just need to be in touch if something happens or breaks down. Just in case, we stop some distance from the last town or tourist shelter that we can pass through in case of an emergency.
3. How to prepare a camper for a winter trip?
The golden rule: do not leave the site without thoroughly checking the technical condition of the camper. During winter driving, vehicle efficiency and safety are especially important.
Before you go, check out step by step:
- tire pressure and general tire condition
- battery status
- operation of heating and gas installations
- liquid level
- gas installation tightness
- light
- electrical installations
Make sure the basics are working perfectly. Inspect the gas reducer, gas hoses, check the installation for leaks. Check lighting and electrical wiring. Of course, in the winter we travel in a year-round or winter-ready campervan with winter fluid in the radiator and good winter tires.
The key question on a winter trip is what to protect against freezing (clean water tanks will not freeze, they are inside the car).
For gas cylinders, use propane, which freezes at -42°C. remember, that
What else should you do before heading out and what should you keep in mind? Watch our how-to video:
4. What to take in a camper in winter?
Packing a camper is much easier in the summer. In winter, remember such additional elements as:
- Spare gas cylinders
- Additional power supply
- Kly najazdowe, linings under support
- Snow shovel
- Snow chains (in some countries this is mandatory and required by law)
- A good flashlight, preferably a headlamp, and spare batteries.
- Battery connecting cables
- small broom
- Broom on a long stick
- Window squeegee or telescopic squeegee
- Defrost lock
- Tow rope
- Bag of gravel or sand
- terms
- Warm blankets
- Old towels, floor rags
- Foil, rubber mat, mat or shoe dryer.
Camper with chains on the handlebars. Photo: Polish Caravanning database.
This requires a separate discussion, and is necessary not only if you plan to spend the night in the wild. Some people use large batteries or camping generators. You may want to consider portable solar panels. However, it must be remembered that in cloudy weather they will generate less electricity than in summer.
Agnieszka and Kamil:
If you rent a car, try to choose a camper with a larger trunk for a winter trip. This will be more convenient, especially if you are going to the mountains or planning to engage in winter sports. Some accessories are angular, such as children's sleds. They all take up a lot of space. It's hard to fit all this in a small trunk.
Marius:
A snow shovel is a must, even if you're going camping. More than once I saw areas that were not cleared of snow. When it comes to glass scrapers, I recommend ones that have a brass blade that won't scratch the glass. A broom for removing snow from the roof should have soft bristles so as not to leave scratches on the body.
What else can be useful during a winter hike? Watch our video recorded at the Warsaw Caravan Center:
5. How to protect a camper from heat loss?
Most of the heat from a camper escapes through the windows, especially in the cabin. All-season and winter-ready campers are better insulated and have thicker windows. To further protect your car from the cold, it is worth using insulation.
It will also be useful for the salon. The camper will be much warmer, and using a cover will help prevent frost and ice on the windows, saving time on cleaning them.
Camper with cabin cover. Photo: Polish Caravanning database.
Vestibules and awnings to block the wind are also a good idea. In winter, models with a pitched roof at an angle work well so that snow rolls to the ground and does not accumulate on top. Winter vestibules can be purchased along with the camper from a rental company. If you have your own camper, but without a vestibule, you should think about buying one or borrowing one from friends.
6. How to survive winter in a camper?
Don't forget to remove snow from the roof. Without it, you cannot move the camper (even a short distance, even in a parking lot). This is a key issue for the safety of the driver and passengers. Snow falling from your roof onto your windshield or other vehicle is a serious hazard and can cause an accident. It is best to remove snow from the roof with a regular broom on a stick or a telescopic brush.
Humidity is very harmful for vacationers. The vehicle must be ventilated from time to time. Wet items and clothing can be dried near the vents, but the camper should not be turned into an unventilated drying room. In extreme cases, expensive repairs and renovations will be required if moisture causes electrical failure or mold growth.
Phot. Freepick.
In winter, you need to pay special attention to body scratches. The critical moment is snow removal. Frequent malfunctions also occur when packing sports equipment in the trunk. We advise you not to lean objects against the camper at all.
Keeping things tidy in winter is a little more difficult. Before entering the camper, thoroughly brush off the snow. Some people use a soft whisk for this. It is better not to enter the vehicle in winter shoes, but to change them in the vestibule for slippers. Snow-covered shoes and sports equipment should be placed on rubber mats or old towels. Don't let things drip onto the floor because you'll soon end up in puddles. Only equipment that has been cleared of snow can be stored in the trunk, and the trunk itself must be covered with film, such as paint film. You can also wrap strategic items in foil. Many tourists praise the quick-drying towels they use for cleaning.
