Winter proofing our Motorhome

[vwalan]

i say continental m,homes arent built that much better.
for the price of them worse.
many german vans never get used at all in winter just like here, or head south .
just about all vans use similar items inside . cookers fridges even the heating systems .
use it find out what its like , enjoy it . if you do decide to add a gas fire etc just remember you will need ventilation .
in winter if its cold all m,homes are cold . just heat them up.

 

[HelenandJan]

It'll be fine. The whole thing with motorhomes, whether built or bought, is taking them out and figuring what needs fixing or modifying. And its pretty much an ongoing process. Short of a piano dropping on it, none of it is end-of-the-world stuff.

If you decide you want to go out in the cold cold cold weather, you can add tank heaters, relocate them inside etc etc, it's all easy stuff you can do in a weekend and its also pretty cheap. That's assuming there's even a problem in the first place.

Thanks guys. There is so much to think about and being 'girls' we don't have your technical knowledge or practical ability so panicking a bit.

 

[Haaamster]

Am I right in thinking this is your 1st van, many folk change their minds about what they need as they get more into it so chances are you will swap it at some point anyway. Just use it and get enjoyment out of it while you can and then take your time to really decide what your next one will be. MH's hold their price pretty well so you may not lose much when you do change. :wave:

 

[GRWXJR]

Thanks guys. There is so much to think about and being 'girls' we don't have your technical knowledge or practical ability so panicking a bit.

Making silver screens out of spray adhesive, the foil sandwich stuff (2 foil faces with glorified mini bubble wrap in the middle) that they flog in Wickes etc. with some foil tape on the edges etc. is more Blue Peter stuff than anything else, so not taxing or teribly expensive if you do foul up on a bit of it and have to redo.

Get some old cardboard boxes to cut templates, then use those to cut out your foil - that sort of thing.

Other than that, maybe hang a heavy curtain across behind the front chairs at night to segregate the cab, make sure you have plenty of gas (I assume that this van has a proper heater of some kind, like a Propex gas blown system, or similar, surely?) and give it a go!

The only concern if its PROPERLY cold might be your fresh water - if that's not internal it could freeze (wind chill while driving could do it maybe). But like others have said - you can leave that empty and purged and carry a water container in the van if you are worried and use as needed. if your waste drain is left open - if you need to place a container under the drain outlet to keep people happy, then your van grey system shouldn't freeze, and it won't matter if the catching container outside does.

My van is a homebuilt LDV Convoy conversion - the fresh water tank is behind the rear doors and that area gets colder than the main had area - but its never frozen in the 3 winters I have had the van - and I have never worried about draining it and purging the line to the tap - and it hasn't frozen.

(I don't use my van all the time - but do go away for weekends all year round, and tend to do this often enough that I don't mothball the van ever).

 

[hextal]

Thanks guys. There is so much to think about and being 'girls' we don't have your technical knowledge or practical ability so panicking a bit.

Having nearly finished our build we took it for its first major shakedown test to Prague via Austria. Our lass loved it, I was a nervous wreck for the first few days, every creak, clunk or rattle being a sure sign that it was going to disintegrate around our ears. I spent the first half of the trip checking everything constantly. But having been through that process I'm now much more relaxed.

My personal advice would be to just get out in it, even if just to a local site, so you can get fully acquainted with its quirks. That way you can get any worrying/checking done in a stress free environment.

 

[DavidB963]

I have to agree with 2cv. No problems in Scotland all year round.

Dave :ditto:

 

[HelenandJan]

It might help if you tell us exactly what van you have.

You can put it in your profile ...... and remove your telephone number at the same time. Quite a few randy old WC members also have dirty white macs (for flashing purposes) and also like to make dirty phone calls.

Thanks for tip about profile. OMG can't believe just by registering and becoming a member my personal details have been made available for anyone to view.

 

[Obanboy666]

I have to agree with 2cv. No problems in Scotland all year round.

Dave :ditto:

Same here with my Swift, no problems at all in Northern Scotland last year during the winter.
Just kept the heating on low and as I don't like being hot when bedding down turned the heating off last thing at night.
I have thermal screens I bought from a fellow member and they make a big difference with heat loss and stop condensation into the bargain.

 

[HelenandJan]

Am I right in thinking this is your 1st van, many folk change their minds about what they need as they get more into it so chances are you will swap it at some point anyway. Just use it and get enjoyment out of it while you can and then take your time to really decide what your next one will be. MH's hold their price pretty well so you may not lose much when you do change. :wave:

Yes, first van and want to escape into the wilderness asap. U know when u just want to 'bugger off?'

We will take your excellent advice, try it out and enjoy it.

 

[FULL TIMER]

yes but you could be on your way to prison . i bet you scribble your names on the windows . ha ha .
go on tell us the truth.
or are you doomed to cell block h.

I'm on day release Alan as long as I'm back in by 6pm all is well,