Tip 1: Don’t arrive too late in the evening
Don’t arrive too late because it gets really cold at night and it will take some time to get your caravan’s interior warm and toasty. When heating your caravan for the first time, open the wardrobes to ensure they also reach a comfortable temperature.
Tip 2: Don’t allow the water tank to freeze
Not every leisure vehicle has a heated wastewater tank. To prevent the wastewater from freezing inside the tank, open the drain when stationary during a frosty spell, and simply place a bucket underneath it.
Tip 3: Good ventilation
Never block forced air vents and always keep the air intake for the heating system clear of snow.
Tip 4: Shovel snow more often – including on the roof
While it might appear idyllic and romantic, if there’s too much snow, it’s essential to take action. A few centimetres on the motorhome or caravan will actually improve the insulation, but if it starts to build up, it’s time to clear the roof. In particular, slushy snow can quickly become an excessive load. So remember to pack a broom and a small ladder!
Tip 5: Extendable ice scraper & windscreen de-icer spray
Extendable ice scrapers are a big help if your motorhome’s windshield and front windows are iced up. A normal ice scraper is often of little use due to the size of the vehicle. In an emergency, a can of windscreen de-icer spray can quickly restore visibility.
Tip 6: Euro adapter set for gas bottles
Remember to pack a Euro adapter set for your gas bottles. Otherwise, you may find that any gas bottles you rent or purchase abroad won’t fit. After all, there are around 300 different connection systems In Europe alone. It’s also a good idea to take an extra gas bottle with you – in winter you will naturally use more gas than in summer. But be aware that two gas bottles means extra weight and therefore a reduced vehicle load capacity!
Tip 7: Pack a big shovel
A large shovel is always helpful in winter. Apart from the usual task of clearing snow, it can also be used to build up banks of snow around your motorhome or caravan. This is an effective way to protect your home on four wheels from cold draughts.
Tip 8: Cosy winter atmosphere & varied programme
Have no fear, even campsites usually offer variety and entertainment in winter. Wellness offerings such as saunas or steam baths can help you relax and forget about the snow and cold. And spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve in a caravan or motorhome doesn’t mean being limited to fairy lights and a plastic Christmas tree. Campsites frequently provide special holiday programs and offers. From communal biscuit-baking sessions to drinking mulled wine around the campfire or enjoying a New Year’s Eve buffet – you can still enjoy the festive spirit even when far from home.
Tip 9: Pack enough clothes
This is especially true if you’re travelling with children: be sure to bring enough gloves, snow trousers, winter boots and hats with you. Although you can hang wet clothes up and dry them fairly quickly, this is usually not quick enough for children, so two sets a day are definitely a bonus. Many campsites also have dedicated drying rooms where you can hang up wet clothes.
Tip 10: Toys for the kids
Remember to bring some toys, both for indoors and outdoors. Shovels for the children, sledges, etc. will dispel any boredom and a cosy board game in the evening can be a welcome change for the whole family. You can also use a sledge as a handy means of transport; for example, for heavy gas bottles.
We hope you enjoy the winter camping experience!
The Allgäu – Dethleffs headquarters since 1931 – is a popular winter destination with its long winters and abundance of snow.
It is therefore hardly surprising that Dethleffs has earned a reputation as a true winter expert. You can recognise this from standard features such as the Dethleffs AirPlus overhead-locker ventilation and our particularly well-insulated living areas; but also from the fact that you can order most models with comfortable warm-water heating with separate heating circuits, internal wastewater tanks and optional flush fitting windows.
