You would like to try camping in your van during winter? You don't want to store your van at the end of the year? You want to face the colder months and have some fun in the snow?
Make sure your fire extinguisher is not expired.
Carry an extra diesel/gasoline jerry can for emergencies.
Invest in good winter tires. You won't regret it.
Dress in layers.
Carry firewood for your wood stove or campfire.
Your engine's battery may get drained if you're parked for a long period of time.
Go for a drive and use the alternator charger to charge your house batteries. You will have trouble charging with solar during winter because the power is low.
Freezing rain on windows and solar panels is not funny.
Try not to fall off your ladder. You could break your ankle or neck. That's not good.
Good for getting unstuck, when you're stuck. Because you will get stuck in deep snow. I know.
Get this ingenious little camping gadget to make some hot tea in a second.
Sleep with the dog to keep you warm. If you have a dog, or a cat. If you're a real vanlifer you have a dog, or something like that.
Empty your fresh water tank, grey tank and plumbing systems because they will freeze. You absolutely want to prevent frozen pipes.
Go to truck stops, gyms or campgrounds (if they are open during winter) to take a hot shower. Otherwise, you can wash yourself with baby wipes.
A lot of campsites could be closed. Check online or call before you go to be sure they're open during the winter.
You can pee in a bottle when it's too cold out in the woods.
You can put your hot pee bottle under the covers to keep you warm! #SurvivalSkills
You could have a portable gas or propane generator if you're in a bigger bus or if you're going off-grid for a long period of time.
Always take a look at The Weather Network before taking the road. The conditions can get bad very quickly.
Winter driving can be tricky sometimes. Be careful on icy and snowy roads. Drive slowly and stay away from other vehicles.
Try to keep your van dry to avoid mold and moisture.
Good ventilation is important to reduce condensation. Crack a window or ceiling fan.
Wipe off the condensation from your windows and walls every morning.
It will be harder to refill your water because everything is frozen. You will have to carry your water jugs into a gas station or a restaurant and kindly ask the manager. You can also call a friend that lives nearby.
Parking for the night will be a challenge! You can still use apps like iOverlander but your spot could be buried in snow and you won't be able to access it.
You can stealth camp in residential streets or anywhere in the city but you have to be quiet. Arrive late at night and leave early in the morning. Do not cook dinner or get out of the van. Just park overnight and move on.
Your first aid kit has to be up to date. Accidents and injuries can easily happen on slippery terrain.
Dump stations will be closed during winter. It will be harder to dump your poo. You could poop in a bag instead of using your toilet. Ok that's gross, sorry!
If you hate shoveling snow and you don't like cold weather, you should drive south to Florida, California or Mexico to spend the winter months.
If you follow these simple rules, you will have a lot of fun. Get a well insulated van, good winter tires and a decent heating system. Be careful with winter driving on snowy and icy roads. Go slowly and stay far from other vehicles. You will have to deal with a lot of moisture inside your van during the cold climates. It is recommended to have a dry heat source like a wood stove to reduce moisture.
Winter van camping is getting more and more popular. There are a lot of ski resorts and year round campsites that are ready to welcome you. There is a lot of fun stuff to do during this beautiful season and winter sports are perfect to help you stay warm.
I hope this list was helpful. Now, you have to go out there and try it to see if this lifestyle is for you. Get your vanlife stuff ready and go live the adventure! Life is good! Enjoy the simple things and have fun!
Happy travels and see you on the road!
