Winter camping

Posted on by

The cold season is slowly arriving – and while some are busy winterizing their motorhomes and campers, we can hardly wait until the first snow finally falls. Because then it is called again: Winter camping and skiing! Our campers and motorhomes are on the road all year round and can be used well in the ski and snow area also because of their winter resistance.

In order for you to be well prepared for your trip, we will share our tips and experiences with you below. Winter camping is wonderful. What could be better than relaxing in a warm camper or motorhome after a long hike in the snow or a day on the ski slopes?? In a small space we enjoy a fun evening of games after a long day of skiing.

However, for winter camping a good preparation is essential. We give you valuable tips to start relaxed in the next winter camping vacation.

Warming frost guards

To prevent the boilers from freezing when our motorhomes/camper are parked, our boilers have an anti-freeze guard. A great invention, but it has a catch: If the ambient temperature is not at least 4 degrees plus, the valve of the boiler opens automatically and the water runs out.

Therefore: Be sure to turn on the on-board heating 1-2 hours before filling the water and heat up the camper / motorhome, otherwise the water will run out again!

Extras for winter camping

Good winter tires and snow chains

Our motorhomes and campers are equipped with winter tires in winter. In Austria it is even mandatory that winter tires are mounted in case of snowfall. The winter tires must have a snowflake on the side. Additionally you can take suitable snow chains.

Thermal hood for the windows

The driver's cab with its window pane is the coldest place in the motorhome. In order to lose as little heat as possible over the windows and the engine block, we decided on a "Thermoglas XXL Ducato" cover from Fiamma for 279 euros. The mat consists of two parts: The upper section covers the front and side windows of the driver's cabin, while the lower covers the entire engine hood. It is quickly installed and very efficient. The thermal mat noticeably reduces gas consumption, prevents fogged windows and makes winter camping much more comfortable. The hood I link you under.

ROADBUDDIES TIP:

We have closed all vents in the cockpit. Afterwards we covered the whole cockpit with a thick wool blanket to avoid further cold sources. So no cold air could get through vents.

Awning

Even though we're not usually big awning fans because of the setup and tear down – as a "cold lock" and storage for dirty shoes, wet laundry or skis, an awning is simply recommended for winter camping.

A winter awning, unlike a summer awning, is made entirely of PVC. It is thereby completely waterproof. It is more durable and resistant to UV radiation, cold, ice and snow. A winter awning is also more resistant to mildew and easier to clean. And not unimportant: It keeps the heat inside longer. But precisely because of these features, the winter awning must also always be well ventilated, because it is not breathable and therefore more susceptible to condensation. In addition, winter awnings have a higher load capacity. Wet snow on the awning must be removed, but it can stay on the tent for a ski day without any problems.

We decided to use an inflatable awning for 2 reasons. It is faster to set up and it has no heavy poles that can damage the camper or steal weight.

Antifreeze for toilet and waste water tank

If you use fresh water toilets with their own tank, you can prevent the flushing water from freezing by adding some antifreeze.

Refrigerator seal

If the outside temperature is too cold, the cooling performance of the refrigerator deteriorates. The refrigerator in the motorhome needs a certain comfortable temperature to function properly. The refrigerator cover is used to regulate the temperature. At sub-zero temperatures should always be a refrigerator seal on it. We have forgotten ours and have Notbehelfes a plastic bag before the ventilation grids stuck.

Winter camping checklist

  • Put on winter tires
  • Suitable snow chains
  • 2 filled gas bottles
  • Front hood
  • Awning
  • Working gloves
  • Antifreeze
  • Door lock de-icer
  • small, light snow shovel,
  • Broom with long handle
  • Extra blankets
  • Bucket for the grey water
  • Ice scraper with telescopic pole
  • Gas scale/case scale
  • Headlamp
  • Additional blankets
  • Refrigerator seal

During the stay:

Sufficient gas for heating

In winter you need much more gas for cooking and heating, because from approx. 7 degrees and colder the motorhome / camper must be heated around the clock. The heater must continuously heat components such as the fresh water tank, waste water tank and frost monitor. Otherwise you run the risk that they freeze and take damage. If the heating runs around the clock in frosty conditions, an 11 kg gas bottle will last 2 – 3 days. This means that you must find out in advance where you can regularly get new gas bottles. Most campsites that offer winter camping sell gas directly at the site. Remember to turn on your septic tank heater, if available otherwise just leave your grey water tap open and place a bucket under it to be emptied regularly

ROADBUDDIS SAVING TIP

We do not have a duo-control on our gas systems, which means we have to change our gas cylinders independently. We thought long and hard about buying a gas checker. But the reviews that the devices measure rather inaccurate have deterred us then but. Inaccurate gas values in the winter was then nevertheless too unsafe for us.

We simply take a suitcase scale to weigh our gas bottles. This is for us a cost-effective and reasonable alternative.

Good to know: Butane no longer goes into a gaseous state at zero degrees Celsius, so winter gas should always contain a high percentage of propane. LPG cylinders filled in Germany contain 95 percent propane gas, which is suitable for winter camping, all year round.

Electricity

To save electricity we connect our motorhome directly to the power supply upon arrival at the campsite. Despite solar on the roof and the possibility to stand autak. You will use much more electricity on colder days because components like fresh water tank, waste water tank and frost monitor have to be heated continuously.

Checklist on site

  • Lay power cable so that it can not freeze.
  • Regularly remove snow and ice from the roof and awning
  • Ventilate several times a day (prevents damp, musty smell)
  • Check gas supply regularly
  • Keep the heater running even when leaving the vehicle
  • Keep wet clothes and shoes outside the vehicle if possible

Campsites at ski resorts

Winter camping is becoming more and more popular. One reason for this are the many well located campsites which are close to the slopes. The campsite operators have fully prepared for the winter sportsmen and have upgraded their facilities. So there is often a comfortable infrastructure at the campsite with drying rooms for the ski clothes and skis, separate rental pools, indoor swimming pool, wellness offers and lots of leisure opportunities off the slopes.

Some campsites even have a ski rental and cooperation with local ski schools. Ski school instructors pick up the children at the campsite and go up the mountain together. Ski passes can also be purchased at most campsites. (Attention mostly cash payment)

The trend to camping in the winter is growing steadily and finds more and more followers. Especially the well-known and popular winter campsites are a meeting point for winter sports enthusiasts from December to April and are therefore booked out early. We never book campsites in advance, because we are autak and do not depend on campsites. In winter, however, we can only recommend that you book a campsite at least 6 months in advance.