It’ll soon be time to hibernate your caravan, campervan, boat, Winnebago – you name it, we store it here at Heathhall Business Centre.
Find out more about our Caravan, Motorhome and Vehicle storage
Many of you will be doing just that, but for those with winter wanderlust, your campervan could be your home on wheels during the most unforgiving time of year.
But can you actually live in a campervan over winter?
Yes, you can. Waking up on a frosty morning in a new location, sipping coffee while you yawn, stretch and try to come alive sounds pretty appealing when reading this in while there’s still a wee bit of summer in the air.
But in the depths of winter, you want to be prepared for slightly more than that. Cue condensation. Short days. Rain ending play and cooping you up in the van.
It’s not everybody’s cup of tea, drinking endless cups of it as the rain pitter-patters on the roof and drizzles down the window.
What price freedom?
Well, it may not be that pricey if you’re organised and don’t mind harder climes and a no-frills existence.
Is a camper van warmer in winter?
The Honey Monster is like a walking insulation giant, and if you want to find your sweet spot and coorie in, then it’s time to get serious about the stuff.
You might say that it starts and ends with the insulation and how effectively your campervan retains heat and locks out the ravages of a winter’s day. It follows that the more modern your home on wheels, the toastier it will be.
A lot of warm air escapes through windows. That’s why insulated window covers should be on your Secret Santa wishlist this year if you’re about to go into the breach in your van.
The highs of van life and thrill of the open road won’t keep numb extremities at bay for long, either, so you will need to think about heating. Diesel and gas are two options, but you must ensure that it is appropriate for your vehicle and properly maintained.
And that you have a carbon monoxide detector too.
Good insulation and the right heating system work so well together, like Ant and Dec.
Condensation is the enemy
The dreaded condensation. Rarely the star of vanlifers’ reels or TikToks. Well, it’s not very glossy, really, is it? It’s not just all the showering, cooking and drying of clothes during the winter. It’s all that breathing on top of it.
When warm, moist air meets the cold-hearted window with its hand out saying stop like a traffic cop, then you’re in trouble. That’s when wee water rivulets form. Then you could soon be putting up damp and mould rent-free.
Get that roof vent open like in ice-cream vans and let the place breathe. A wee Baltic blast is a small price to pay for a clean-air-zone home.
You can also get an extractor fan to do most of the heavy lifting when cooking, make hay while the sun shines by keeping windows open during the day, and perhaps use a launderette for washing clothes.
What happens to campervan water supply in winter?
Freezing water in exposed pipes, tanks, and pumps can really kill the cosy winter evening mood. There’s potential for damage here if pipes burst, turning your home into a giant wet room.
Not fun.
You might use the final fling of summer to get properly acquainted with your caravan’s water system, so that you know exactly where everything is located and how well shielded it is from the cold weather to come.
Do an insulation check on pipework and your tank, and research whether you might need to drain anything in the event of severe wintry weather.
Powering a campervan in winter
Solar power is you admirably doing your bit for our green earth, but it may not generate all the power you need in winter for obvious reasons. If you’re staying on campsites, this is less of a thorn in your side because you can utilise their electrical hook-ups, etc.
But if you’re going off-grid, you need to think this through and have contingencies in place.
Cooking in a campervan in winter
You can absolutely cook in your campervan in winter, but, again, it takes a lot of planning, and you might have to keep it simple and nutritious rather than going to town.
You might have to rely on the kindness of friends and family – unless you’re planning some hinterland adventure – for more elaborate slap-up evenings.
Here are all the details of our StoreProtect Enhanced Liability Protection
Where will you make your home this winter?
The most wild and remote location might sound romantic, and could well be the backdrop to you writing your best seller, but some reality bites are barking here.
It’s got to be as pitch-perfect as possible: your choice of winter pitch for your campervan. If it’s a campsite, you might have access to not only power hook-ups but shower and toilet facilities. But if you’re moving around all the time and parked in car parks or on the street, then think about where it’s most sheltered and safe too, of course.
You don’t want to find all your valuables sliding down shelves because the ground has become boggy because of an overnight deluge. That’s why a hardstanding pitch might do the trick.
How do you make a campervan comfy in winter?
Well, it’s all the obvious things like feel-appeal bedding and blankets, but ones that are thin enough to dry quickly – so think layers rather than big old eiderdowns and quilts are maybe the answer.
And you can’t go wrong with a big pair of fluffy slippers and a dressing gown. Make the most of free heat on sunny winter days by opening doors, windows and hatches, and try your best to leave wet clothes and coats outside if you can.
You’ll also need a breakout space to go to when you’re not in the van, so that you get a change of scene, or go for walks, anything but staying in for too long.
Dumfries Self Storage offers purpose-built 20′ x 8′ storage containers
So, can you live in a campervan in the winter?
Yes and no. It depends on how organised you are and how much you enjoy your home comforts. Many of our customers store theirs with us during winter for exactly those reasons.
But there are some advantages if you’re the moody, solitary, windswept type looking for inspiration on a wintry moor. Campsites are generally less busy, as are popular destinations, and winter by the sea boasts its own kind of special beauty.
And you’re not having to weave in and out of people holding candy floss and ice creams melting down their hands and arms.