All-weather
VICKY LISSAMAN A WONDROUS WINTER CAMPERVAN EXPERIENCE
HITTING the road in a campervan was the runaway success of summer holidays last year. With more people choosing self-catering staycations in their own little home on wheels, campsites saw record bookings and motorhome sales and hires reached an all-time high.
But while the warmer months might be the obvious choice for a camping trip, there are plenty of good reasons to holiday in the great outdoors during winter.
At this time of year, you could see nature at its raw, frosty finest with snow-clad hilltops and even a possibility of spotting the northern lights. Plus there’s always a country pub with a roaring log fire to pull into along the way.
Out of season, campervan rental is cheaper due to lower demand, so you can bag a bargain and take your pick of the models on offer.
We’ve teamed up with campervan rental marketplace Indie Campers to share some top tips on how to turn an out-of-season road trip into an amazing adventure.
STAYING WARM
No one likes the thought of deicing windscreens with frozen fingers, condensation trickling down walls and damp bedding. But keeping cosy in your vehicle is surprisingly simple.
What to pack: Ensure you have warm clothing and plenty of removable layers. Woollen base layers are best, along with down trousers and wool sweaters. Hats, scarves and gloves, as well as a pair of sunglasses to deal with the low winter sun, are also recommended.
A four-season sleeping bag is the ideal space-saver. Keep toasty from the inside by stocking up on hot drinks and soups that can be prepared on a camping stove. A hot water bottle is another great piece of kit for the colder months.
Electric heaters are simple to use. Look for a portable version with a 2kw load or less, so that you can use other electrical equipment at the same time. Indie Campers can add these to your package at a small additional cost.
Finding a campsite with an electric hook-up allows you to use a campervan’s built-in heating system while keeping your battery fully charged.
Cover windows from the inside of the van after dark to keep the heat in, as glass is a poor insulator. Close any curtains or blinds, or use a foil windscreen shield, to help reflect the warmth back in.
Choose a van with an allweather awning as this will offer a useful place to dry wet clothing.
STAYING SAFE
Having a variety of tools and equipment will help to tackle tight spots and variable weather conditions. Winter equipment for your van: Make sure you have an ice scraper to remove ice, snow and condensation from campervan windows, although a credit card will do the job if that’s all you’ve got to hand. Kit for foreign travel: Some countries and regions, particularly Scandinavia and the Austrian Alps, require the use of winter tyres and/or snow chains, even for those just passing through. If you’re unsure how to check what tyres are mounted, look out for the letters “M+S” or the image of a snowflake within a mountain peak on the tyre walls.
If you are intending to drive through mountain ranges, use snow chains any time from November through to April.
Before departing, it’s important to know how to fit them correctly. You can swot up on this via the Indie Campers blog.
The hire company will supply snow chains, as well as all other safety equipment that is legally required in the country where you are starting your van rental, at no extra charge.
WHEN RAIN STOPS PLAY
If the weather is not playing ball and there’s no option but to stay inside, there are lots of ways to have fun right there in your van. Movie night: A campervan provides the cosy feel of home with the added charm of snug quarters. After a long day out in the fresh air, snuggle up with pillows and blankets on the back seats and enjoy a movie marathon or box-set binge. The best way to enjoy a movie is on the big screen, so invest
FINDS OUT ALL YOU NEED FOR
in a portable projector. Many can be connected to a laptop, mobile device or streaming stick.
Portable canvases in various sizes are cheap to buy, but white sheets offer a suitable alternative. If the sound of a laptop is not enough, Bluetooth speakers can provide something closer to a cinema feel.
Old-school fun: Ditch the screens and deal out the cards. Whether it’s a standard deck for a few rounds of whist or family favourites Uno and Dobble, a pack of cards takes up very little space but can provide hours of entertainment. Look out for other smallsized games such as dominoes, Pass the Pigs or mini Jenga.
If it’s solitude you’re after on your trip, escape the outside world for a while by getting lost in the pages of a book.
BEING PREPARED
Thinking ahead about a situation more serious than bad weather will give you peace of mind while driving. If the worst should happen, the first priority in an emergency is the safety of the driver and passengers. Once they are secure, shift your focus to the vehicle.
Hire a van from a company that includes round-the-clock roadside assistance wherever you are travelling, and ensure you have the relevant phone numbers to call for breakdown and recovery.
After a long ng day out in the fresh resh air, snuggle e up with pillow w and blankets nkets
Insurance is a travel essential. You may already be covered for medical needs and personal property but the van needs the same protection. Indie Campers includes a basic insurance package for all campervan rentals, including cover for accidents caused by a third party.
There is also a premium package available with more extensive coverage. Drivers should purchase the appropriate insurance package based on their anticipated use of the vehicle. Emergency kit: A motorhome emergency kit should include tools, lights and other repair equipment. You can customise yours based on where you’re travelling, but the essential things to have in every kit are: jumpstart cables, tyre repair kit, spare tyre in case full replacement is required, multi-tool or Swiss Army knife, bungee cords, whistle, flares and first-aid kit.
In addition, consider packing other useful items such as a fuel jerry-can, power bank, hi-vis vest and torch. Indie Campers supplies a car jack and an emergency triangle.
Be aware some countries, including France, require all vehicles to carry emergency kits which include hi-vis vests for use in a breakdown.