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Winter Camping in a Motorhome: Tips for Cold & Snow
Snow-covered mountains, empty pitches, crisp air – winter camping has a charm all of its own. With the right preparation it stays cosy rather than freezing, even below zero.
Heating & gas
Your heater (usually gas or diesel) runs almost non-stop in winter – budget for much higher gas consumption and carry a full spare bottle. For gas, a regulator frost protector stops it freezing up. Make sure you have good ventilation (a carbon monoxide alarm is a must).
Protecting water from frost
- The fresh-water tank and pipes can freeze – in winter many people travel with little water and fill up as needed.
- Leave the grey-water tank open or use antifreeze, otherwise it freezes solid.
- Drain the pipes after stopping if a hard frost is on the way.
Avoiding condensation
The biggest enemy in winter is moisture: cooking, breathing and wet clothes put a lot of water into the air, which condenses on cold windows. What helps: airing out regularly, thermal mats on the windows, storing wet things outside or in the awning, and a small dehumidifier if needed.
Gear & pitch
- Winter tyres/snow chains and a small snow shovel.
- Thermal curtains for the cab (the biggest cold bridge).
- A pitch with shore power takes the load off the battery (the heater's fan needs power).
For winter, look for pitches with power that stay open in the cold season – in Muvano you'll find open campsites and pitches on the map, even offline up in the mountains.