Is our Hymer Campervan cosy enough for the winter?

[@travelcampervansandmore]

As a footnote, great sound quality now compared to when you started. That microphone was a sound (!) investment. Happy new year to you!

[@whichwaynow]

After our 1st few videos where the sound quality as not great, we went for a directional mic. We since changed that to a wireless mic which we've used for the last 2 videos and we're really pleased with it. Happy New Year

[@lievenmerckx4543]

Happy new year to you as well!! We tested the heating at the end of November during a visit to the battlefields in the Somme. It was around 0 at might but the Truma is well up to the job. It was very comfortable.

[@whichwaynow]

It does seem that now we've got to grips with the heating in our campervan, it really is very good - a lot warmer than our house most of the time!!

[@ianwinfield861]

We have a similar ‘frost valve’ in our Hymercar Yosemite but it has only ever tripped when we have not been in it for several days. We have woken up to snow and/or freezing outside temperatures several times but never lost any water, even when the van has not been heated overnight.

[@whichwaynow]

we were really confused as to where all the water had gone to - the joys of the internet being able to find out these things. As Gill said, that is why it was worth doing a cold (and very wet!!) break away.

[@janeevans5132]

Good luck enjoy

[@whichwaynow]

Thank you - were really looking forward to a lot of adventures in 2024 and beyond.

[@vontrap6942]

Depends where you camp. If you get down to zero then you will be ok but anything in the minus, be prepared to run your heaters a lot. I am not sure if this van has a diesel heater or not but I think thats the best way to heat unless you have an electric hookup. If you get any wind that will make a huge difference, so if you park in a camper park, if possible try to park where you are shielded from the wind. A lot of vans don't have a very good water system. I think it would be an idea for these vans to have what you use on pipes in a house in cold climates - Where I live gets to minus 30 in the winter. It's a simple design where an external cable runs across all the water pipes which is plugged into the mains. When the temp goes down enough this cable warms up, doesn't take much power, but keeps the pipes from freezing. They could adapt this tech or similar to stop the tank of water from freezing.

[@whichwaynow]

Minus 30 - now that is cold! We do have a diesel heater which I'm sure we will be using when we go to Scandinavia later in the year. I hadn't thought about shielding from the wind - that's really good advice. Thanks

[@rayrecrok]

If you are in the van you can normally put a peg to stop the plunger from working, if you are leaving the van for a time take the peg off, simple's problem solved. Always worked for us in our tag axel Hymer.

[@whichwaynow]

Thanks for the advise - we will give that a go.

[@fazerstorm-oap]

You need to fully drain down all water during the winter, even living in Cornwall. Any ice in the system will break something. You also need to check the location of your water tank. Unless it is actually in the van, not under it, you will need some sort of trace heating if you go anywhere cold. Good luck on your trip, but do lots of research first.

[@whichwaynow]

Thanks for the advise. We are new to campervanning and it seems that there is so much to learn!

[@tonyw60334]

@@whichwaynowAlso - when you drain down even though you would have switched the electric pump off, you need to open all the taps in case any water is trapped, could freeze, expand and damage the taps internally! Happy holidays - will follow your travels as we hope Togo to Scandinavia at some point 😎

[@peromalmstrom7668]

Much, could be written, regarding driving & camping in winter. Plenty of information available, for those willing to spend time to learn. Important consideration for Scandinavia is 'legality', as winter driving laws exist (We don't have in UK). Winter tyres are life saving and a legal requirement. Will not list every requirement in this comment section, as easily found with research. Personally, my wife and I, change to winter tyres on all our vehicles and change the rubber wipers to winter rubber wipers, as just 2 of the minimum things on a long lists that we do for winter driving in the UK, let alone Scandinavia. Sadly, most Brits are ignorant to the 'why'? Even those that may know, often take a calculated risk to save money, over saving life. Time spent in recognisance is seldom wasted and saves lives. Safe travels & safe holidays. From a Cornishman.

[@whichwaynow]

Thanks for the advise. We are certainly doing a lot of research about what we need to do before travelling to Scandinavia.

[@vontrap6942]

Good comment. Even in Upstate New York where it gets to minus 30 and some places minus 40 with the windchill, a lot of people don't bother with snow tires which is a HUGE mistake, even today driving through an unexpected snow storm - we live near giant lakes, people didn't bother even having their lights on and their were many people off the road - The iQ level here is very low!. In the UK, where I am from originally, everyone I knew left the same tires on all year round. Snow tires in the UK are not the norm for most people. Having lived in NY for the past decade and a lot of snow driving experience - winter lasts about 5months here, I can absolutely attest to the need for dedicated snow tires in winter climates. In the UK you may get away with only having all seasons but in harsher climates it would be a mistake not to get snow tires. Yes it is a cost for snow tires and perhaps another set of wheels so you can change them over yourself each season, but the way I see it, is how much is your life worth. I would wager 2k on snow tires and wheels falls well short of what your lives are worth. Sounds dramatic but I have seen more people off the road here than I care to think about.