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How to Stay Warm in Your Caravan During Winter With These 5 Tips
There’s a reason why many of us love caravanning during winter and it’s because summer often gets too hot and there’s always the risk of washed-out roads. But one of the major downsides of winter caravanning is that it can get really cold at night. Like really, really cold. So, how do you stay warm and cozy during your winter travels? These 5 tips will help keep things a bit toasty and allow you to enjoy winter caravanning a bit more and we will also highlight a number of caravan accessories for you to choose from.
Tip #1: Check your caravan’s insulation
Older caravan models usually don’t have enough insulation which explains why cold air easily reaches the interior. Before you head out on the road, it’s always a good idea to check your caravan’s insulation. Polystyrene foam is dense and does an excellent job of keeping the cold at bay. It’s a cost-effective solution to upgrading your caravan’s insulation if it doesn’t already come with one. Polystyrene foam fits snugly inside the caravan’s panels and is relatively easy to install. Doing so can make a world’s difference in terms of overall comfort when caravanning in the colder months.
Another way to winter-proof your caravan is by using thermal blinds or drapes. These deflect some of the cold air that’s trying to get in and adds a few more layers to keep all the precious heat inside. A caravan can lose a lot of heat through wheel arches and the gaps in the caravan door; you can minimise this by adding padded insulation like carpet, polystyrene, pillows or a draught excluder.
Tip #2: Think about your caravan’s flooring
Some caravan models have flooring solutions that sparse, visually unappealing, and very cold underfoot. If you want to add extra insulation to your caravan, you can use carpet offcuts with an underlay and layering rugs on top to help keep the warmth in. This makes your caravan a little bit cozier and will provide that homey feeling while you’re out on the road.
Tip #3: Transform your bed into a warm, toasty nest
It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep when the temperatures are freezing. What you want to do is get a good, thick mattress like the one you have at home. It may be expensive, but the additional cost will definitely be worth it since a thick mattress provides lots of insulation. You can even add a thick mattress protector as well as flannelette sheets to truly transform your bed into a warm, toasty nest. Lastly, keep a hot water bottle right near your bed just for when the temperatures start dropping.
Tip #4: Figure out your caravan’s internal heating solution
To really keep the cold at bay, you’ll need an efficient internal heating solution. A small 240v electric space heater is probably the cheapest option, but it requires mains power to operate and it can trip the safety switches at caravan parks. Reverse cycle A/C is another option and often comes standard in new motorhomes or caravans, but they have the same power requirements as space heaters.
This leaves us with gas or diesel heaters, both of which are excellent choices for free camping, especially if you’re staying in a remote area. Gas heaters will use the same propane as your stove and can keep things nice and warm for weeks on end. The only issue is that they need to be fitted by a qualified gas fitter. Diesel heaters, on the other hand, are a DIY install and use the same fuel your vehicle does. Having both is definitely a good idea as it allows you to switch between gas or diesel at any time.
Tip #5:Dress for the weather
This last tip has nothing to do with your caravan but more with your wardrobe choices during the winter season. We recommend wearing multiple layers so that you can stay warm in the cold mornings. As the day starts to warm up, you can simply remove the layers to feel more comfortable. Wear in a scarf and gloves for good measure and you’ll be all set to conquer the winter roads!
Bonus tip: Hot Showers! Nothing feels better than a hot, steamy shower early in the morning. If you have the cash to spend and you truly want to elevate your winter caravanning experience to the next level, you can purchase a caravan hot water system that will give you access to hot water whenever you want.
Another tip is to select a parking spot where your caravan receives more sunlight during the day. Look for areas with minimal shade during the day and take shelter in cozier parking spots just before the evening kicks in.
Keeping your caravan nice and toasty can prove quite challenging, but with these 5 tips, you can make things feel a bit warmer and more comfortable. Preparation is key so make sure your caravan is well-insulated, has the right flooring solution, and an internal heating solution to make the cold adventures just that more bearable.
