Record cold and life in a camper
Weekend caravanning has become quite popular during the pandemic. Cities with “something to do” are usually visited by locals who don’t want to waste precious time on the road. It is therefore not surprising that local teams from Krakow, the surrounding area and (a little further) Warsaw appeared on the scene. There are also modern campers and caravans that should cope well even with such extreme conditions. An interesting fact is the parking of campers and trailers over 20 years old. Reading statements from users of such vehicles in caravan groups, we can conclude that winter auto tourism in them is impossible due to poor insulation or ineffective heating.
What did the frosty weekend look like in practice? The biggest problem was... getting out and getting onto the field itself. Those who decided to wear chains had no problems with this. Despite the use of good winter tires, driving without the help of a neighbor was most often difficult (and sometimes impossible). However, assistance in caravans is something that actually exists and was clearly visible right now, in difficult winter conditions. Keep it up!
Another big problem was fuel freezing. One campervan, one passenger car and a tow truck were out of order. It turned out that the users of both had not yet had time to refuel with winter fuel and went straight to Zakopane. Effect? Protective plates located under the engine compartment, quick replacement of a completely frozen fuel filter. The departure from the field was extended over several hours, but in both cases the actions brought the desired result.
Those who decided to go to Zakopane were usually well prepared. The equipment of individual crews included snow shovels, tall brooms to freshen roofs, and antifreeze for locks. The heaters, even in older cars, worked great. The use of propane tanks was mandatory. Those who had the mixture (including the author of this text, the last tank with propane-butane) had problems with Truma. He was able to issue error 202 indicating that the tank had run out of gas. Resetting the digital keypad helped, but only for a few minutes. The decision to change the cylinder to a propane one was made very quickly. The Truma DuoControl module is useful in gas systems because it automatically switches the gas flow from one cylinder to another. You can reduce costs by purchasing exactly the same device, but with the GOK logo. Previously, it was the official supplier of devices from the German manufacturer, and today it launches its own solutions on the market.
Fun fact: Most (if not all) had electric vehicles on board. They couldn't be used due to the campsite's electrical system being poor, but some people tried anyway. The effect was predictable - electricity did not work not only at Farelkovich, but also at all its neighbors.
To sum it up, campers and caravans are built so well that they are resistant to temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius. Just follow our tips to make your campervan experience comfortable all year round, not just during the warm holidays. See you in winter weather!
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