Notes

Vacation Life for Winter Campers
The days are getting shorter and the first snow is falling. No factor to send out the mobile home or caravan into hibernation. Winter outdoor camping is growing in appeal and with great factor. Picturesque snowy landscapes, hot tea and tranquility invite you to relax. Camping sites in ski resorts even use bonus such as health club services or drying spaces for ski devices. Winter camping with a caravan or mobile home has its own magic. You should certainly experience this on your own! We'll reveal you what to keep an eye out for when camping in winter season.



1.1. Choice of campsite

Caravan in front of a mountain panorama in winter season

Not all campsites have the appropriate setups to be able to provide the complete throughout the year and for that reason do not provide pitches in winter. If you want to make a longer journey in winter season and remain over night at the camping sites, we advise that you reserve appropriate pitches. Clarify ahead of time which services are offered at the particular campground in the cold weather, particularly when it comes to the northern regions.

You must think about the following criteria when making your selection for the most pleasant and warm holiday possible:

Coast power, photovoltaic panel generator, water and sewage connection
heated hygienic centers
heated lounges
heated restaurant or dining room
Shops nearby
Exchange of gas bottles

In addition, there are completely various leisure activities available in winter, which has a really unique appeal. If recreation are very important to you, you need to also consist of the range of possible leisure activities when picking a camping area, such as:

Skiing or winter season hikes
Health such as sauna, heated swimming pool or thermal bath
Indoor sports such as physical fitness, tennis or table tennis

1.2. Safe driving in ice and snow

Mobile homes or caravans behave in a different way than a cars and truck due to their mass. In order to be able to drive securely in winter, you should certainly use ideal winter tires. They must have a tread depth of a minimum of 4-5 millimeters to provide adequate grip on the road. This is required by law. In addition, snow chains allow good development on snow-covered roadways. In some regions there is even a snow chain commitment, discover ahead of time about the planned travel path. For an ideal view, the windscreen wiper system should be entirely filled with sufficient antifreeze. You must constantly set the mixing ratio a little bit higher. So you are on the safe side.

Specifically in the winter months, the starter battery is subjected to a much higher load. You must therefore completely charge the battery before driving. You must clean the pole terminals and grease them a little for optimum contact.
Having a jumper cable with you in an emergency situation likewise doesn't harmed, specifically when the battery is a little weak. Possibly you should have an RV battery for your trip.

We suggest that you change the wipers if they are already streaking. It is best to likewise take some spare bulbs for headlights and taillights with you. Particularly in winter it is very essential to be able to see and be seen.

1.3. Energy supply with gas and electrical energy

The energy requirement, whether gas or electrical energy, is much greater in winter than in summertime. Heating, television and light are used much more. Any existing photovoltaic panels are also less efficient in the winter months. For that reason, you ought to either ensure that you can use 230V shore power when you take a trip or alternatively charge your on-board battery as typically as possible.

In winter, the gas needs to constantly have a high propane content, given that butane is no longer able to change from liquid to gaseous when it is freezing. Propane can likewise be used optimally at temperature levels below 0 ° C. Butane, on the other hand, vaporizes at 0 ° C and no more gas comes out of the bottle. But do not worry, the conventional gray gas cylinders are primarily filled with lp and only a percentage of butane, so you can utilize them with no issues. The blue Campingaz gas cylinders, on the other hand, have a larger percentage of butane, which indicates that their usage is limited depending upon the temperature level.

To avoid changing the gas bottle at night, which can get pretty cold, we recommend a gas switching system. As quickly as the operating bottle is empty, the system automatically changes to the reserve bottle.

With a gas material meter you can rapidly and reliably discover the staying content of your gas bottle. If you have installed an iNet box from Truma, you can also retrofit the appropriate "Level Control" filling level control rather inexpensively. Here, the gas level is identified by ultrasound, as is the (calculated) staying running time. This is sent out by means of Bluetooth via the iNet box to your smart phone or tablet so that you always have a summary.

1.4. water tank & pipes

At temperature levels around absolutely no it can occur that the pipes and tank freeze. Frost damage can be avoided with a winter-proof water tank. The seat of the water tank is definitive. This is because the drainage tank is frequently situated under the floor of the car outside of the interior and can for that reason not be heated up by the heating unit. More recent automobiles often have an incorporated electrical drainage tank heating system or have the drainage tank integrated in the air heating unit. If this is not the case, you can likewise insulate the tank yourself and retrofit frost protection for waste water or fresh water tanks.

You can utilize antifreeze to prevent the water from freezing. Nevertheless, we just recommend using it for the waste water tank and the toilet with its own water tank. Although there are food-safe antifreeze, which are not harmful to water and are likewise appropriate for the fresh water tank, they are not drinkable. So you can't prepare with it or brush your teeth.

1.5. Frost Warden


The de-energized frost display safety valve safeguards the boiler tank or the combi heating unit if there is a threat of frost. The valve is always secured the normal state. Nevertheless, if the temperature level falls listed below approx. 3 ° C, the valve opens instantly so that the boiler is emptied. Due to the fact that if the water stayed in the boiler and the water froze there, the boiler or other parts could be damaged. The valve closes again as quickly as more than approx. 7 ° C is reached.

To secure versus the cold, this valve is typically located inside in a cabinet or in the service hatch near the heating unit.

1.6. Insulation.

In winter it can quickly get cold and unpleasant in the lorry. It is therefore crucial that as little cold as possible penetrates from the outside into the interior. The motorist's taxi is the biggest problem location, as this is where most of the heat is lost. Specifically in the area of the windscreen, side doors and windows and also with the pedals on the floor, it draws in. To protect versus the cold, a motorhome taxi insulation is suggested. External insulation for the front of the vehicle increases the surface temperature level on the within the windows and the danger of condensation forming inside the vehicle is minimized. In order to optimally secure the living area from cold radiation and heat loss, there is extra insulation that separates the chauffeur's taxi from the living location. A reliable supplement to the thermal curtain is also footwell insulation.

You can discover all insulating and thermal mats in numerous sizes and designs in our store.

1.7. Winter season covers for fridge ventilation grilles.

Cold air can go into the interior of the car through the ventilation openings of the refrigerator. Do not underestimate that. To prevent this, there are special ventilation grilles with winter covers that can be set up quickly and easily.



2. Winter Camping - Useful Equipment for RV & Caravan.

2.1.( Winter) Awning.

An awning makes camping in winter season much more enjoyable. There you can stow damp winter clothes and equipment in a practical method. In addition, it functions as an entryway lock. Cold air and wind do not get into your automobile as quickly. Winter awnings are best suited to the high needs of the winter season. The roofing has a strong forward slope and is made from strong material. The snow can just move off and heavy loads are avoided. Additionally, you can also stabilize your (all-season) awning with assistance poles and storm poles. Then you ought to make certain to regularly get rid of the snow from the roof to avoid damage. In RV inverter awning guide you will find out everything you require to learn about awnings.

2.2. Awning heater.

An additional heating unit can be utilized to keep it great and warm in the awning. There are various awning heaters. It is essential that you do not position the heating system too near to the tarpaulin, as the danger of fire need to not be ignored. In addition to an awning gas heating unit, there are likewise electric heaters or petroleum heating units.

The benefit of an outdoor camping gas heating unit is the high heat output, which implies that larger rooms in particular can be warmed up in a short time. Nevertheless, considering that the exterior can get hot, you should take care with children or pets. When utilizing a gas heating system, care should constantly be taken to guarantee great ventilation so that enough oxygen always gets into the heated space. The kerosene heating system operates on fuel instead of gas, however has similar properties to gas heating units. Here, too, excellent ventilation is suggested for sufficient oxygen.

The electric fan heating systems are generally compact and quick to set up. The inexpensive versions are often just ideal for smaller rooms due to their low heat output. Nevertheless, there are likewise premium electric fan heating units that are suitable for larger rooms and continuous operation. If you frequently use some high-power devices outdoors, you require to purchase a power inverter.

2.3. Other beneficial tools.

Caravan in front of wintry place.

At this point we wish to tell you about extra crucial devices that you should definitely take with you to the campsite! In order to be happily warm in the mobile home or caravan throughout winter season camping, comfortable clothing is naturally necessary. But a hot-water bottle can also keep you good and warm, especially in bed in the evening.

In order to keep your lorry in good shape even during snowfall, we advise that you always have an ice scraper and brush (with telescopic rod), snow shovel, broom, hand brush, defroster spray and a ladder to hand. A doormat also guarantees cleanliness. A hammer and pliers can be helpful for driving pegs into the ground and pulling them out again. In our store you will discover a vast array of helpful tools.

Heated carpets are also a great addition in winter season and keep your feet nice and warm in the camper or caravan. You can just lay the carpets down, connect them to 12V or 230V (depending upon the version) and enjoy the warmth quickly.

There are chimney extensions particularly for caravans to prevent the chimney pipe from becoming clogged by snow and to permit the exhaust air from the heater to get away. These can be set up quickly and easily. It is advisable to take them off while driving.

In order to put the caravan or mobile home securely, straight and stable on the camping site, you should utilize assistance plates in addition to the crank assistances (assistance legs). These avoid sinking or slipping on soft ground such as mud or snow.

An air dehumidifier is recommended to prevent the formation of condensation in the living-room. Due to the fact that if the humidity in the room is too expensive, mold can form and waterlogging can occur. You can see this plainly on the frames of the windows, on which water from the air condenses. In most cases, regular airing (intermittent airing) likewise assists, however this does not always lead to the desired outcome.

3. Checklist for winter season outdoor camping - everything at a glimpse:.

Vehicle check:.

Perform routine checks (e.g. TÜV, tire pressure, brakes, oil level, and so on.).
Examine lorry for damage and rust.
Winter tires-- measure tread depth (a minimum of 4 mm).
Inspect lorry lighting.
Deal with rubber seals.
Test heating unit and fan operation.
Check/top up antifreeze for windshield washer system and radiator.
Examine wipers and change if necessary.
Supply water pipes with heating cable.
Equip uninsulated water tanks with frost monitors or heating coils.

Devices for the lorry:.

Snow chains.
Security vest and alerting triangle.
Jump starter or jumper cable.
Emergency treatment set.
Deicer.
Replacement bulbs.
Antifreeze for cooling system and windscreen washer system.
Ice scraper (perhaps with telescopic rod).

Devices for the camping site:.

( Winter Season) Awning.
Flooring apron versus drafts.
Thermal mats or insulation.
Winter cover for fridge ventilation grille.
Flashlight.
Broom, shovel, hand brush.
Telescope cleaner.
Support plates.
Doormats, floor mats.
Heating mats, heating carpet.
Hot water bottle.
Thermal mug.
Dehumidifier.
Ladder (eliminate snow from roofing system).

4.1. Airing.

Thorough and regular airing is important in winter season to enable adequate air circulation and avoid condensation. This can be triggered by damp clothing or cooking, for instance. We therefore suggest that you air the space two times a day. The forced ventilation must always be open for security reasons. Make certain that the ventilation and air vents do not snow. It not just guarantees that wetness is gotten rid of from the living space, however likewise that adequate fresh air gets into the interior.

4.2. Lay the power cable.

You should lay the power cable in such a way that it can not be harmed. In winter, a snow plow often clears the path and the cable television ought to not be in the way.

4.3. Warm inside and out.

You ought to certainly pack a thick sweater, a seat cushion, a relaxing blanket and thick socks. However tea, coffee and punch can also warm you up effectively.

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