Winter camping: tips and equipment for relaxing days in the snow

The cold season is slowly arriving – and while some people are busy getting their motorhomes and caravans ready for winter, others can hardly wait for the first snow to finally fall. Because then it’s back to winter camping!

We have put together the most important tips so that you can enjoy your camping experience to the full, even in inhospitable outdoor temperatures. Be sure to take a look at our camping offers, maybe you’ll find a bargain or two!

Additional equipment for winter camping

To make sure you stay warm, comfortable and reasonably mud-free in your camper in winter, remember to take these things with you:

Warm comforters

A thick winter blanket per person and, if necessary, a few additional fleece or merino wool blankets for particularly cold days should definitely be included in your winter camping equipment!

Sufficient gas

In winter, you will need significantly more gas for cooking and heating than you are used to on “normal” vacations. On the one hand, you will enjoy having hot drinks frequently to warm yourself up again after a long day out in the fresh air.

On the other hand, you need a lot of “stuff” to maintain a pleasant temperature in your camper. If you are abroad, you will need suitable adapters to connect a local gas cylinder to your system.

You can find more information about gas below and in this article: Gas cylinders for camping – variants, filling, safety tips.

Insulating mats or heating mats

In many vehicles, there are so-called “cold bridges” in the floor area, which can become very uncomfortable over time. Insulating or heating mats help against these cold bridges and icy floors (e.g. if you don’t have carpet or underfloor heating). Incidentally, they also ensure that the dog traveling with you is comfortable at night!

Thermal mats for the windows

To avoid cold bridges on windows and doors, you can attach thermal mats or films to the windows. They ensure that the icy air does not penetrate your vehicle as quickly.

Thermal curtains, footwell insulation and rear door insulation

Another area that tends to cool down quickly in motorhomes is the driver’s cabin. To keep out the cold, you can install a thermal curtain between the driver’s and living areas and – as a supplement – lay footwell insulation (looks like a sleeping mat cut to shape).

Rear door insulation provides valuable services for panel vans.

Awning and tent carpet

Even if we are not normally big fans of awnings due to the time-consuming assembly and disassembly, an awning is simply great as a “cold buffer” and storage place for dirty shoes, wet laundry or skis when winter camping!

A tent carpet or (especially for longer stays) a plastic awning floor, which is 25 to 35 mm high and offers additional protection against the cold ground, are also practical winter camping companions.

Quick-drying microfiber mats

Quick-drying microfiber mats help against puddles or mud in the interior, which – if available – replace or protect your normal carpeting when winter camping. Alternatively, you can of course also purchase a very robust carpet. This provides additional insulation and creates a cozy atmosphere.

Antifreeze for toilet and waste water tank

If you use fresh water toilets with their own tank, you can prevent the flush water from freezing by using a little antifreeze; there are also suitable agents for gray water tanks and toilet cassettes.

attention

If you also want to use antifreeze in the fresh water tank, you should definitely use bottled drinking water for cooking and brushing your teeth!

Frost-proof power cable

In winter, you are on the safe side with a frost-proof rubber cable (diameter 2.5 cm).

Bucket or tub for the gray water

As the normal “water cabs” often cannot be emptied in frosty weather due to their small openings, it is better to place a large bucket or tub underneath for the gray water. You can even get a lump of ice out if necessary!

Our tip: In very cold temperatures, motorhome owners should also leave the drain valve open permanently and place a water container underneath – especially if the gray water tank is not insulated.

Support plates or boards as a base

To prevent the wheels and supports from sinking into the snow or mud in thawing weather, you can place wooden boards or support plates underneath – the wider the better!

Other practical accessories for winter campers

• Thermal cover or winter cover for the gas locker (e.g. Hindermann winter cover)
• Winter cover for the refrigerator ventilation grilles
• Hair dryer (as a “de-icer” for emergencies)
• Snow shovel or folding spade for shoveling snow (e.g. Fiskars folding spade)
• Ladder for removing snow and ice from the roof and awning
• Broom
• Doormat for outdoor use (e.g. “Atlantic” outdoor mat)
• Floor skirts against cold draughts in the awning(various models available from Amazon)
• Chimney extension so that the exhaust air can escape even when the snow cover is higher
• Headlamps for working in twilight and darkness (e.g. from Ledlenser)
• Thick work gloves, preferably lined
• Heating tapes against icing of water pipes, tanks etc. (e.g. from as-Schwabe)

How do you heat when winter camping?

Especially when camping in winter, it is very unpleasant when the gas bottle runs empty. This usually happens at night, as this is when gas consumption is at its highest – but you often only notice it when the interior has cooled down. It then takes a while for it to warm up comfortably again.

Which gas should I use for winter camping?

Ideally, you should use gas with a high propane content, as butane is no longer able to change its physical state from liquid to gas when it freezes. This means that it cannot be used for heating and cooking.

But don’t worry: the gas cylinders available in Germany are usually filled almost completely with propane gas and only a small amount of butane gas, so you don’t need to look for special winter gas.

How much gas do you use when winter camping?

Depending on the outside temperature, your personal feeling of warmth and the insulation of your vehicle, you should allow for around three to five kilograms of gas per day. If it’s really cold outside, two 11 kg bottles will last you around five to seven days.

Our tip: A gas content meter is a good way of estimating how long the bottle will (still) last. However, finding something that really works is somewhat difficult. It’s easier if you have an iNet box from Truma installed – then you can retrofit the LevelControl for little money. This uses ultrasound to reliably measure how much gas is in the cylinder and transmits the data to the box, which in turn sends the information to your smartphone or tablet. This means you always have an overview of the gas fill level and the (calculated) remaining running time. Very practical if you don’t want to constantly weigh the gas cylinder or experience a cold surprise at 1 o’clock in the morning!

Additional heat sources

In the awning, catalytic or infrared heaters provide cozy warmth on cold winter evenings. Many of these models use gas as a “fuel” and may therefore only be operated outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms.

For the interior of your caravan or motorhome, it is advisable to pack a small electric fan heater – this serves as a backup in case the gas runs out or the system does not work. For fan heaters, whether for indoors or outdoors, please make sure you buy a model with anti-tilt protection.

attention

Fan heaters are real power guzzlers and should only be used in exceptional cases!

To-do list for winter campers

First of all, you should take care of your vehicle, because as a home on wheels, it needs to be in good shape, especially in winter.

Preparations on the caravan or motorhome

In addition to the regular routine checks (MOT, tire pressure, brakes, oil, etc.), you should also think about the following points at an early stage:

Before the trip

• Check the bodywork of the camping vehicle for rust or damage and repair if necessary
• Measure the tread depth of the winter tires (M+S with snowflake symbol) – at least 4 mm is recommended for safe driving
• Checking the lighting system
• Treat rubber seals
• Test the function of the heater and fan
• Check battery(ies) and fully charge if necessary, clean terminals, etc.
• For trips in mountainous regions: Pack snow chains
• Obtain jumper cables and tow rope
• Take door lock de-icer with you
• Refill antifreeze in windshield washer system and radiator
• Stow the ice scraper and hand brush within easy reach in the vehicle
• Obtain replacement bulbs for vehicle lighting and replacement wiper blades
• Equip non-insulated water tanks with frost monitors or heating coils
• Check wiper blades and replace if necessary
• Buying a dehumidifier for the interior

During the stay

• Lay the power cable so that it cannot freeze.
• Regularly remove snow and ice from the roof and awning
• Ventilate several times a day (prevents damp, musty odors)
• Open the storage compartments in the heated vehicle every few days and let the heat in

attention

Even if cool air may sometimes penetrate – the forced ventilation must always remain open for safety reasons!

Expert interviews on the topic of winter camping

Our podcast series also includes exciting episodes on the topic of winter camping, which take a closer look at the subject. Nele & Sebastian have invited experts to give lots of tips on winter camping.

1. winter camping tips: Vehicle, dog, campsites

Expert tips on winter camping, what you need to consider with your vehicle, what you need to know at the campsites and how does it actually work if you have your dog with you when winter camping? Nele and Sebastian reveal the answers in this podcast episode. Listen in now:

2. on a winter vacation with a caravan or motorhome?

An expert interview with four guests who have very different views on winter camping. Be sure to listen in:

3. easy-to-implement tips & tricks for winter camping

An expert interview with Jürgen Rode from Womo.blog, who has some great tips and tricks for winter camping. Be sure to give it a listen:

This might also interest you:

• Wintercamping: Die schönsten Campingplätze für die kalte Jahreszeit
• Wintercamping in Europa: Ski, Rodel und Gemütlichkeit
• Wintercamping mit Hund: Ab in den Schnee!
• Camping im Winter: 15 Dinge für einen kuscheligen Campingalltag
• Wintercamping: So machst du deinen Camper fit für die kalten Tage
• Wintercamping: Alles, was du über Camping in der kalten Zeit wissen musst
• Überwintern in Spanien: Die besten Tipps, Ausflugsziele & Campingplätze
• Warum du Wintercamping ausprobieren solltest: „Hygge“ im Schnee

Cover picture: © CamperStyle

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