Campervanning during the winter can certainly be a challenge. If you don’t plan ahead, those chilly nights can wind up being very unpleasant. Read on for some tips on how to stay cozy and comfortable during the colder months in the van.
Plan in advance
Do you know what city or area you’ll be in during the winter? What are the average temperatures going to be like? Living in a van means you can travel and live wherever you want, so pick a warmer region to spend the colder months. You can still enjoy the snow and find areas where the air is warm.
Prepare your van for cold weather
Living in a van during winter without any heating is not only zero fun, but also very dangerous. You will want to make insulation a priority.
Installing DIY van insulation isn’t as hard as you may think. Parked In Paradise has some great van product recommendations and can help you learn more about the type of heat your van needs. Their website will teach you everything you need to know and more about this, and you will quickly become an insulation expert!
Figure out heating solutions for the van
If you didn’t build your van yourself, it’s likely there’s already in-built heating. If not, you’ll need to invest in a gas or electrical heater.
Gas heaters are great as you don’t need to rely on electricity to run them. However, a carbon monoxide detector or alarm and adequate ventilation will be essential. Fan and infrared heats are also popular to use when connected to the grid. Since they use a lot of energy, running them via battery isn’t recommended.
Get the right items to keep you warm
Beyond insulation, there are some winter essentials that can keep you feeling extra snug. There are many items that won’t take up too much room but will make a big difference during the cold nights.
Your feet feel the cold the most, so find yourself some fuzzy slippers or woollen socks. You’ll never regret having a spare blanket, so be sure your sleeping area has as many layers of duvets, comforters or sleeping bags as needed. Having a hot water bottle on hand is also a good idea and perfect for pre-heating your bed.
Plan some entertaining activities
There won’t be as many nights outside of the van as there are in summer. So, how are you going to entertain yourself during those long and chilly winter evenings?
Pack your favourite board games and some books to read. If you’re particularly tight on space, invest in a Kindle or any other type of e-reader so you’ll always have a good book ready to go. You can also load up your laptop with movies and TV shows so you’ll never be bored.
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