Despite the recent drop in temperatures and caravan and motorhome owners being greeted by frosty conditions, there’s no reason to stop touring this winter.
Careful drivers who make a few simple safety checks before setting off can continue to enjoy their leisure vehicles throughout the colder months.
Why continue touring in November, December and January?
Traditionally, caravans and motorhomes would be packed up for the winter and put into storage, so why has there been a shift towards touring year round?
We posed this question to Mark Sheppard, senior trading manager at Motorhome Protect, and he gave us his take on the situation.
He told CaravanTimes: “You’d be surprised how breathtakingly beautiful and fun a wintertime campervan break can be. Less sunshine means fewer crowds, allowing you to experience peaceful, relatively empty campsites.
“Renting space at a campsite is also generally cheaper, meaning you can take a longer trip than normal for a reduced price, all while getting some much-needed relaxation.
“Winter landscapes are completely different, taking in snow-capped mountains and forests, lakes glazed over by ice and stunning views. The air tends to be clearer too in the colder months.”
How to stay safe in wintry conditions
While there’s no reason you can’t use your caravan or motorhome in the winter, there are several safety implications to take into consideration.
Mr Sheppard said: “To ensure your trip is as enjoyable as possible, there are a few things to consider before you set off, including: make sure your mobile home is watertight and winter-proofed by looking for any gaps or cracks and getting them filled in before your trip.
“Check the heating system works properly, so you can stay nice and cosy during the night; bring an extra gas bottle or two, depending on how long your trip is; keep the water tanks almost empty at night to avoid cracked pipes; carry a supply of drinking water at all times; and bring plenty of nourishing food, thick blankets and warm clothes.”
Before setting off
The expert shared a checklist of tasks to carry out before setting off:
Tyres
While the legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, a minimum tread depth of 3mm is recommended before replacing your tyres.
Worn tyres can be particularly dangerous in wet, icy and snowy conditions, so conducting the 20p test, where you insert the coin into the tread grooves and check you can’t see the outer band on the heptagon, is a good idea.
Oil, coolant and antifreeze
The levels of these vital liquids should be checked every few weeks and topped up when necessary. If they seem to be disappearing quickly, you should investigate the source of the problem.
For safety reasons, it’s always best to check the coolant when the engine is cold, making sure it falls somewhere between the minimum and maximum guidelines.
Windscreen wipers and screenwash
You’re likely to use your windscreen wipers and accompanying screenwash more in the winter, so check they’re running smoothly, without causing smears.
Replace the wipers if they’re not performing properly and pack a spare bottle of screenwash into your towcar or motorhome.
Lights
Lights are so important to winter visibility, it’s crucial not to wait until the dashboard alerts you to a faulty bulb.
Physically check to see if all lights, including fog lights, are working properly and that lenses aren’t cracked or dirty.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Luke Porter
