AL-KO tips for winter camping – from gas supplies to thermal covers

• A comprehensive vehicle check is advisable before setting off on your winter vacation.
• Sufficient gas supplies and the right heating are key to ensuring you can relax when you get there. 
• Never pick a pitch under snow-covered trees and clear snow off the roof regularly. 

Starter battery, oil level etc.: Before every journey, you should check your motorhome or the vehicle towing your caravan to make sure there are no avoidable surprises on your vacation.

The following additional checks are useful for winter driving: 

• Check the lights
• Test the heater and fan
• Keep jumper cables, ice scraper, broom, defroster spray, etc. within easy reach
• Fill the cooling system and windscreen washer with antifreeze
• Check the wiper blades are functioning properly
• Measure the tire tread depth

Winter tires are essential for motorhomes and panel vans; alternatively, all-weather tires with a snowflake symbol can be fitted. It is important that the tires have more than the minimum tread depth. Snow chains for the drive axle should be included if you want to drive across steep mountain passes. Winter tires are not compulsory for caravans in Germany, but are definitely recommended depending on your destination. Snow chains for the towing vehicle should be ready to hand in the trunk, especially if you are driving through alpine regions. 

Double-digit negative temperatures can creep through windows, doors and roof hatches in winter. If your motorhome or caravan has insulating windows, you’re already ahead – the heat inside cannot escape as it would through single-glazed windows. As heat loss is greatest through the windows in the driver’s cab and the doors, invest in motorhome thermal covers or mats, preferably fitted on the outside. Caravans can also be insulated from the outside with a front locker cover.

Thermal curtains between the driver’s cab and the living area help in cold temperatures, and you can buy custom-fit insulation for the rear doors on panel vans. Additional heating tapes can be fitted to prevent external water pipes or tanks from freezing. Some campervan models come with heating for the water tanks already integrated. Special antifreeze is also available for camping toilets with their own clean water tank and for gray water and wastewater tanks.

Gas consumption is significantly higher during winter camping than during the rest of the year: You need more heating, more cooking, more hot water for tea, coffee, etc. Some campervans also need gas for the boiler and fridge. If the gas runs out in winter, this is not only annoying, but can also lead to outdoor temperatures causing real problems inside the motorhome, such as frozen pipes or damp. 

So do make sure you have a sufficient supply of gas. Statistics vary, but between three and five kilograms of gas for every 24 hours is realistic, depending on the size of your camping vehicle. When buying gas, make sure you get a suitable mixture for the winter. This is generally fine with gas bottles available in Germany, as they are almost completely filled with propane gas and only a small amount of butane gas. Otherwise there are special gas mixtures for the cold season (look for ‘winter gas’) containing propane and isobutane. Pure propane would have an even lower boiling point.

However, the mixture of both offers the best compromise between performance and consumption – so you are still on the safe side even in Arctic temperatures.

Once you arrive at your destination, it’s sensible to take a careful look at your pitch, especially in wintry regions, and the heating can now go into (almost) continuous operation.

Heating in winter is not just for comfort, it is also extremely important for your van, motorhome or caravan’s indoor climate to prevent moisture or even mold from forming. It is important that the heat is evenly distributed in the vehicle and does not accumulate in a particular area. Consistent heating at an appropriate base temperature is more advisable than alternating between cooling and heating. To be on the safe side, we recommend taking a small fan heater with you in case the gas runs out unexpectedly and cannot be bought straightaway. Attention: The forced ventilation must always remain open, even at low temperatures! 

If you have erected an awning, it will trap some of the cold outside air and create additional space for storing wet shoes and clothing. In this extended living space, awning carpets and catalytic or infrared heaters provide cozy warmth on frosty days. Floor skirts attached to the lower keder strips can provide additional protection against draughts.

If you are going somewhere with plenty of fresh snow, camping not only means beautiful landscapes, but also a lot of work: Shovel away the snow from under your caravan or motorhome to ensure gas appliances stay ventilated. If it has just snowed, you should clear snow off the vehicle’s roof and especially around the flue, otherwise exhaust air can build up inside. Always keep the ventilation openings clear on the side walls and in the roof to prevent the risk of suffocation. If you have erected an awning, it should be regularly cleared of snow and ice, otherwise it may collapse under the load.

• Ladder
• Broom
• Shovel / folding spade
• Jump leads, ice scraper, defroster spray
• Antifreeze
• Extra gas cylinders
• Thermal mats and covers, floor skirts, winter cover for refrigerator ventilation grille, drawbar weather protection
• Heating tapes for tanks and pipes
• Doormat
• Awning (if required) including accessories
• Extra support plates
• Fan heater, infrared or catalytic heater
• Warm clothing and shoes
• Padded work gloves
• Warm bedding
• Sufficient blankets