Vanlife Getting Through Winter

When living in bricks and mortar it is easy to keep warm with central heating on, and even getting close to a real wood or coal burning fire. But for those people living in campervans and motorhomes it isn’t quite as easy as that. So, below we have laid out some tips so that you’ll hopefully be able to make it through the cold winter with few problems.

FOOD

If you are full time living in your motorhome campervan during the winter, here are some foods you might want to make sure you have in the van;

Soup: a great comfort food and easy to make and store. Just heat up some broth and add whatever vegetables or protein you have on hand.

Stew: another old favourite, a proper comforting winter dish, stew is perfect for warming you through. An easy meal to prepare, just one pot on the gas ring or low powered slow cooker.

Chili: another meal to warm you up on a cold winters day. It’s also easy to make, just add different types of beans or meat to your taste.

Potatoes: who does not like a good potato? Can be used in many different dishes. A nice crispy baked potato straight from the oven with a lovely filling, its making me feel hungry already.

Bread: essential food for any winter diet. Get dipping some freshly cut bread in that soup or chili, or simply eat it on its own as toast or plain with a fruit jam.

STAY MOVING

Help to stay warm and fit by keeping on the move. It is all too easy to want to stay in the van on a cold day, but you must continue to get out and get some exercise. Wrap up warm and go outside for a walk every day, when safe to do so. Find a reason to get out such as taking photographs or video. Even if it’s just for a short time, being in nature can also help to better your mood and give you some much needed Vitamin D.

STAYING WARM

Make sure that you layer up your clothing, this is key to staying warm in the cold weather. When it’s cold outside, you want to be sure to have a base layer, an insulation layer, and a waterproof layer. This will ensure that you’re warm even if the temperature drops or you get caught in a storm.

Make sure that you have some nice cosy blankets and a winter rated quilt in the van. Get snuggled up inside a blanket when it’s cold outside.

Make good use of your heater when it is cold. But also make sure that you have enough fuel to run the heater when you need it most. Avoid running any heater all night long as this can be a fire hazard.

So …

Yes, harsh winter conditions can be challenging, but also you could have a great experience. Follow the tips above, and with a little planning and preparation, you should be well placed to be able to enjoy all that winter has to offer in the comfort of your campervan or motorhome.

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