Travelling in cold weather

[Lost in the wilds]

We’re planning some winter trips and thoughts have turned to travelling in cold (maybe freezing) weather. We have heating, hot water and good insulation so should be sorted when we’re stopped.
Any tips for preventing problems at low temperatures whilst on the move?

Chris and Carol

[keeflester]

Make sure the diesel you're using has been winterised. Summer diesel will turn waxy at about minus 13C. This will cause a serious loss of power and possibly stop the engine completely. It happened to us in the Limousin on a winter trip. Luckily it was borderline and eventually cleared itself, but we had to climb hills in first gear until it cleared.
Make sure your grey water is drained before you bed down for the night, unless the tank is inside the insulated shell.
Many parts of Europe require snow chains to be carried and used in mountainous regions. You can be fined for not having them.
You should also be using winter tyres.
Take your time and enjoy the trip. We love our winter trips.

[Bookend]

We have never done winter trips with our caravans in the past but now we have the Demountable we are going to try a few trips out this winter mainly wild camping.

My only real concern is the amount of Gas we can carry for heating as our gas locker only houses 2 small cylinders.

I may modify the locker or I have considered fitting an refillable tank.

[TrueDink]

You will need a lot of gas for staying warm. I used a full 6Kg Gaslow and 2 6Kg Calor propane in 2 weeks at Val d'Isère.

[Lost in the wilds]

Yes - running out of gas would really impress herself.
How about preventing the water tank and pipes from freezing?

Chris

[rubberrat]

We camp a fair bit in winter and have been to -12'C without problems, but of course the SKarosser is designed to deal with this so no user mods needed.
Fridge vents - fit the covers as they don't function well below +3'C
Insulate every pipe that ventures near the outside, even within lockers. Every little helps.
Don't use your grey water system if the tank isn't heated.
Make sure the loo tank has a good dose of the blue fluid. Consider not using the loo flush tank, a couple of 2 litre water bottles will do the job.
Only use propane (red) as it still gasses off at lower temperatures. Butane will not gas off below -2'C.

Although in most southern European countries you'll only be able to buy butane so consider taking a spare Gaz pigtail.

Enjoy your camper all year round

[Star Six]

I can vouch to the low-temperature (un)availabilty of Butane. Happened to us once, at -5C, at 4:30 AM. First, no more gas. Furnace keeps running until voltage is low. Gas sensor in camper goes off due to low voltage. Inhabitants woken up very rudely... We had bought the bottle in summer in Southern France, and the lady who sold it to us told us that all she had was Butane. And we said, fine, that's OK. The following October, we learned the cold way

Do not underestimate the power consumption of your furnace. You may run out of battery power long before you run out of gas. Our US-made furnace uses about 5 Amps when the blower motor is running. The american saying goes "one battery, one night", and I tend to agree.

Plenty of gas and electricity provided, our camper easily keeps a cozy 25C at -5C outside. The manufacturer guarantees "65F inside at 0F outside", and I believe them.

Condensation can become an issue as well. The colder it gets outside, the more condensation you will experience. Keep the camper well ventilated and run the furnace as required - there is no use in collecting water, as it will be very difficult to dry out everything afterwards. Learned that, too, when we found the mold in spring that was the result of our late fall trip which got the camper very wet inside and out...

*6, Joerg

[Lost in the wilds]

Thanks for all those tips. Anyone use an 'antifreeze' agent in their waste water tank?

I'm happy with our set up when we're stopped - though I will double check pipe insulation. Is it feasible/safe/legal to use the heating system when moving? I'm concerned about the wind chill factor when we're driving at 60/70 mph in subzero temperatures - must have a considerable effect on any demountable, regardless of insulation, during a day's driving.
Mr. Tischer does not appear to address this problem. Does Mr. Karosser or any other manufacturer?

Chris

[zildjian]

Thanks for all those tips. Anyone use an 'antifreeze' agent in their waste water tank?

I'm happy with our set up when we're stopped - though I will double check pipe insulation. Is it feasible/safe/legal to use the heating system when moving? I'm concerned about the wind chill factor when we're driving at 60/70 mph in subzero temperatures - must have a considerable effect on any demountable, regardless of insulation, during a day's driving.
Mr. Tischer does not appear to addressed this problem. Does Mr. Karosser or any other manufacturer?

Chris

well I have occasionally between stops I imagine someone will be along shortly with a dire warning but what do we care eh,
the only place a pipe is exposed on Skarosser is across the underside and I think thats a gas pipe

waste water tank on ours is heated anyway

[zildjian]

This Fella's going for 3 or 4 MONTHS

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