Full timing in England and Wales, I am going to get cold.

Rowena32

Guest
Hi,

I have been full-timing for about six weeks in England and Wales for the last 6 weeks in a 1998 (cheap) converted ambulance called Geoffrey.

Have used Wildcamping POIs every night predominately CR rural car parks.

Favourites so far include Mumbles, Ferryside, and Clent Hills.

I have no heating in the van and have draughts through the gaps in the windows, large rear doors and large side door, so will be looking for ways of improving the van for the winter.

R.
 
I wouldn't like to full time in this country over the winter with no heating,have you considered getting down into southern Europe?
 
Get a calor gas heater the ones on wheels probably get slated but I never use when going to sleep or having a drink of alcohol but great for taking the chill of of an evening and on a frosty morning look for the ones with a oxygen depletion switch and use a CM detector and stay safe .

IMAG0080.jpg
 
Carbon monoxide detector.

Please, please, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector in your van, and smoke alarm, but definitely the monoxide detector.
You may wonder why I advise this when you don't have heating; it is because if you get really cold you will likely end up trying anything to get warm. Maybe bringing a few glowing embers in from an outside fire or leaving a portable stove on for some heat? When we are cold and tired our minds don't work the same as when we are comfortable so you should take the precaution now.

I'm sure lots of suggestions will follow on how to heat your van and they will all be safer with the above fitted too.
 
Thermal full length undies & a really good sleeping bag. You have to strip down to the undies before getting in the bag for it to work properly.
Lots of others will come on & offer more technical solutions I'm sure.

A dog works well too!
 
what sort of van do you have then others with similar may have specific advice.... a photo of it would help.

make double skinned/insulated curtains for all windows and doors - if you have no curtain rails then velcro them to the wall as a temporary measure

put down carpet/lots of mats if you have wooden floors

glue carpet to the walls
 
Goodmorning & Welcome .
Choosing where & how you park up for the night would be your first line of defense against the Coldest winds, Making use of Walls, Fences, Buildings ect, As weird as it sounds try altering your sleep & Rest patterns So you are Getting into bed Later with a Hot Drink & a Hot Water Bottle &Then Getting up Earlier & Actually moving your vehicle to another site into what Sun is available while letting your engine heating do it's job. Then Knock on my door & I will put the Kettle on ! Lol lol.
Don't forget, When wrapped up All snug and warm, Log on here for an hour to see who's about.
 
as I am about to embark on this mystical journey of self discovery, I am keen to read more.

I favour an extra quilt, hot water bottle and woolie cap (if it ever gets that cold)

4/5 of heat is drawn down, so what are you laying on?

your major heat loss areas are Head Hands and Feet

as your head sticks out from under the quilt, there is one place to add a little etra and loose wool socks if you poke your feet out of the other
 
I Once wore a balaclava in bed whilst in wales following the rally of wales,i turned over in the night but the balaclava didnt, woke up thought i was blind :D
Welcome Along, Andy
 
Any idea where |I can get one of these propane heaters with floor flue...

hairydog said:
You will.need a form of heating. Don't even think about one that doesn't have an external flue. The portable ones cause far too much damp. If you can, fit one of the gas heaters that vent through the floor, run off your propane cylinder and require no 12v power. The do t seem to be made now, but are available secondhand and last forever.
Click to expand...

Any idea where |I can get one of these propane heaters with floor flue... Or any other cheap propane heater.

Thanks

R
 
Nice van !, Well working through that lot will keep you warm enough I should think.
What areas are you intending to travel over the next few months ?.
Doing something like Heading South (The further the better) might help !,

Although I'm actually heading North,,I never was smart !.
 
Rowena32 said:
Thanks for that; unfortunately, I am in the midlands at the moment, and they wouldn't post.

At least I now know what to look for.

R
Click to expand...
they're great heaters, but be aware that they need quite a large hole in the floor, with nothing much in the way underneath. if you can't find a place for this then your next best option is a Propex blown air heater Propex HS2000 Heat Source Blown Air Heater | eBay or a small woodburner
 
well if they still have it then try the wildcamping delivery service and see if you can get it to you and recontact him or her to see if they will hold on for a few days and then ask on here then pay for it and get it collected and delivered to you
 
I rarely used heating in my MH even though it has it Best investment for night is a good quality sleeping bag 4 seasons

Channa
 
Yep, same here Channa, maybe only have the heating on in the absolute coldest of temperatures, as stupid as it seems, A bit of both High & Low level Ventilation & (in my case cos I'm a whimp) a good Winter Duvet Mmmmm Snuggley.
I make little tweaks to my lifestyle instead, But most of my Habitat heating actually comes from well timed & frequent Cuppas ! Inbetween Pies or Pasties from the oven while snuggling down to watch a movie in the very late evening.
 
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