couple of top tips for keeping warm when you're off grid. use the oven/hob to heat the van (if you have CO detector), and also keep hot water bottles and a flask handy. when you go bed, fill hot water bottle and flask with hot water, if you wake up cold in middle of night either use flask water to re-fil hot water bottle, or for a brew to warm you up in the morning :)
Great video, you're right..we use our van during winter. Keep tank topped up with LPG if wild camping. We carry a portable gas stove with the single burner, just incase.
Spot on Colin. I have got a cadac bbq that I can use with the canisters if the lpg runs out. I have no idea how long the LPG lasts but I have only filled it up once in six months so it seems to last a while. It was the summer months so only used it for the cooking. I would imagine I will go through it a lot quicker in the winter. 👍
@@TravellingfromScratch We used 9.62 ltrs. from full when wild camping for 4 nights at Bowness Windermere over the New year in our cv 20. Heater was turned on to the 3rd level all night but thermostat kicks in. We found another garage to fill up on the way home ....the Shell garage just down the bank at Nevilles Cross. It's 89.9p per ltr. there. How do you find the Cadac? was thinking of getting one.
@@colinwade7005 The Cadac is really good as a small BBQ with a small gas canister for outdoor cooking but I wouldn't use it to boil the kettle. It depends what you are gonna use it for. If I was using it to boil the kettle you're better off with something like a jet boil. The cooking plate on the Cadac is big enough for two people but any more than that and you might go hungry. 👍
@@TravellingfromScratch I top it up till it stops when full at the pump before we set off on our trip then again on the way back. That let's you know how much you've used and gives you an idea for next time. The Cadac sounds good.👍 must get one, it's finding the space for all these things in these vans. Our lass is after a coffee machine for van but think we'll need an inverter for that.
Top tip no 5 is the best ! My top tip is get a hot water bottle ! Also , a low wattage kettle , can only be used on hook up , but if you don’t have a hot plate and your gas runs out there’s no hot water bottle ! Glad to hear you’re going to out and about more in 2022 .. right attitude to have 👍😊
Thanks Jane. Top tips indeed. I don’t need no hot water bottle in the bedroom😉 but it’s good advice. Kettle is a great idea. Why use your gas when you already paid for the electricity. Lots of trips coming in 2022. Can’t wait. 👍🏻
If you are out camping in your van in Winter you can still fill your tanks with water as the boiler will be constantly hot and the heating will be keeping your van warm so the water won't freeze .I've winter camped many a times in frost and snow and have had no problems with water freezing.Its only when your van is not being used that you drain down the water system.How do you think people carry on when they go winter skiing in their vans in Scotland or France they are still useing the water system.
That’s a very good point Graham. I’m sure you’re right and it makes perfect sense. I worry about leaving the van on the drive overnight after I’ve been on a day trip. I’m new to all this and probably a bit over cautious. I’m learning as I go mate and appreciate all the advice and comments that people leave me. I can relax a little more about the water in the tanks if I’m away in the van so thank you. 👍🏻
@@TravellingfromScratch Hi I'm sure your tanks will have been wrapped in some sort of insulation material or have you got tank heaters on them .if you keep your waste tank drain tap open and put a bucket under it you will be keeping the flow going.As for your fresh water I don't think a full tank of fresh water is going to freeze solid to the point of not drawing any water to the taps I think the weather would have to be about 20 below zero for that to happen.To be honest I think you are worying! Over nothing.keep the videos coming as I enjoy them,it's all a learning curve I've been caravaning and motorhoming for over 30 years and you always find something new.Happy new year to you and her indoors.
@@TravellingfromScratch me again by all means drain down the boiler when on the drive and empty the tanks and pipe work to stop frost damage untill the next time you go on a trip.if you just go for a day out just take a few litres of water in some large bottles and use a kettle on the gas job for a cuppa!.
@@grahamtoyn2912 Thanks Graham. Learning as I go and definitely benefitting from your experience. Keep me right mate. I do overthink it sometimes but every days a school day. 👍
Another useful tip, using bottled water is a great idea, but if like me you forget and you empty your cup, kettle, pee* down the sink, leave the grey water drain tap open and stick a bucket under it, the the grey water wont freeze, the grey water flows straight through the system, doesnt matter if it freezes in the bucket…. * not pee!
Ha ha. Thanks Paul. Good advice and shows that there are always options. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It’s what helps my channel grow. 👍🏻
I have the same heater and same problems. It seems pathetic that the heater malfunctions in cold weather. I worry it will stop and allow a freeze during the night. Sometimes I have to power down and back up.not impressed.
Good tips. The very first trip I took in my CV happened to be a below zero trip. During the day was fine but the in the evening the temperature to around -4 by 11 o'clock. I had put a bit of insulation in the rear doors - but I don't know if that made any difference at all. I also had a windscreen cover which I'd recommend but if you don't have one then maybe rig up a blanket inside in across the cab area or something, it will help to stop condensation too. So, at night I found the heat put out by the Whale heater to be excellent, it was very cosy, and although I never had any glitches with the controls, as you have the tip to carry a backup heater is a good one. You don't want to be caught short in the winter, as it were. I did put fresh water in the tank, and drain water into the grey waste tank, but I only put the water in the day of travel and I switched the water heaters on - and glad to say I had no issues. - As I say, temperature during the day was fine.
Thanks Brian. Windscreen cover is an excellent tip. I like to wild camp and don’t like to cover the windscreen from the outside but I can definitely see the benefit. The blanket actress the inside is a good idea too. I’m going to put a curtain up across the cab area in a future video to help stop the condensation. Love reading the comments and other opinions. All great advice that will help others. Thanks again. 👍🏻
Great video Ian and all good and valid points. Amongst your completed/planned mods, have you thought about adding extra insulation? I’ve seen some other Elddis pvc TH-cam video’s where the doors had no insulation at all! Would be a good mod and relatively simple if you have the right tool to remove the door panels. Take care buddy!
Thanks Tony. I have already put extra insulation in the door panels but I did it before I started my TH-cam channel. It’s top advice for anyone reading this and I will definitely mention it in a future video. I bought a roll of recycled plastic bottles insulation and stuffed the doors with it. Good stuff. Thanks for watching and commenting. It will definitely help others. 👍🏻
Great video and advice Ian, my tips would be, don’t go away when it’s too cold, wear a wholly hat in bed, don’t wear just budgie smugglers at night when walking the dog, only have warm dreams at night, don’t go far from home incase the weather gets too cold 🥶, thanks pete
I have no idea Darren but it’s a very good question. I will find out from someone who knows more then me and let everyone know. My van does have the heaters but I have no idea if they even work. How could you tell if they were doing anything. I’ll check with the dealer. 👍🏻
couple of top tips for keeping warm when you're off grid. use the oven/hob to heat the van (if you have CO detector), and also keep hot water bottles and a flask handy. when you go bed, fill hot water bottle and flask with hot water, if you wake up cold in middle of night either use flask water to re-fil hot water bottle, or for a brew to warm you up in the morning :)
Top tips indeed. Thanks for sharing! 👍
Top Tip Number 5 is definitely the best one
Yeah that’s my favourite. 👍🏻
Some great tips and more in the comments. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah the comments are great. Thanks Sylvia. X
Hi Ian. Excellent useful tips, a lot of which would easily apply to other camping. Enjoyed these. Thanks again. George and Trish - CaravanningMacs
Thanks for the feedback. I’m sure that more experienced campers have loads of great ideas but I’m new to this and I like to share. 👍🏻
Great video, you're right..we use our van during winter. Keep tank topped up with LPG if wild camping. We carry a portable gas stove with the single burner, just incase.
Spot on Colin. I have got a cadac bbq that I can use with the canisters if the lpg runs out. I have no idea how long the LPG lasts but I have only filled it up once in six months so it seems to last a while. It was the summer months so only used it for the cooking. I would imagine I will go through it a lot quicker in the winter. 👍
@@TravellingfromScratch We used 9.62 ltrs. from full when wild camping for 4 nights at Bowness Windermere over the New year in our cv 20. Heater was turned on to the 3rd level all night but thermostat kicks in. We found another garage to fill up on the way home ....the Shell garage just down the bank at Nevilles Cross. It's 89.9p per ltr. there.
How do you find the Cadac? was thinking of getting one.
@@colinwade7005 The Cadac is really good as a small BBQ with a small gas canister for outdoor cooking but I wouldn't use it to boil the kettle. It depends what you are gonna use it for. If I was using it to boil the kettle you're better off with something like a jet boil. The cooking plate on the Cadac is big enough for two people but any more than that and you might go hungry. 👍
@@colinwade7005 how can you be so precise about how much lpg you used? I don't have a clue how much I've used and how much I have left.
@@TravellingfromScratch I top it up till it stops when full at the pump before we set off on our trip then again on the way back. That let's you know how much you've used and gives you an idea for next time. The Cadac sounds good.👍 must get one, it's finding the space for all these things in these vans. Our lass is after a coffee machine for van but think we'll need an inverter for that.
Ian great video and top tips. but spoiler alert - tip 5 "you're only here once" - no one told me that would happen...
Thanks Malc. Sorry if I’ve spoilt the ending for you but at least now that you know you can make the most of the time you’ve got. Go for it. 👍🏻
Top tip no 5 is the best ! My top tip is get a hot water bottle ! Also , a low wattage kettle , can only be used on hook up , but if you don’t have a hot plate and your gas runs out there’s no hot water bottle ! Glad to hear you’re going to out and about more in 2022 .. right attitude to have 👍😊
Thanks Jane. Top tips indeed. I don’t need no hot water bottle in the bedroom😉 but it’s good advice. Kettle is a great idea. Why use your gas when you already paid for the electricity. Lots of trips coming in 2022. Can’t wait. 👍🏻
Rather have it and not need it, than, need it and not have it.
That’s the one. 😂😂
If you are out camping in your van in Winter you can still fill your tanks with water as the boiler will be constantly hot and the heating will be keeping your van warm so the water won't freeze .I've winter camped many a times in frost and snow and have had no problems with water freezing.Its only when your van is not being used that you drain down the water system.How do you think people carry on when they go winter skiing in their vans in Scotland or France they are still useing the water system.
That’s a very good point Graham. I’m sure you’re right and it makes perfect sense. I worry about leaving the van on the drive overnight after I’ve been on a day trip. I’m new to all this and probably a bit over cautious. I’m learning as I go mate and appreciate all the advice and comments that people leave me. I can relax a little more about the water in the tanks if I’m away in the van so thank you. 👍🏻
Just a thought Graham but my water tanks are on the outside of the van underneath...so won't they still freeze despite it being warm inside?
@@TravellingfromScratch Hi I'm sure your tanks will have been wrapped in some sort of insulation material or have you got tank heaters on them .if you keep your waste tank drain tap open and put a bucket under it you will be keeping the flow going.As for your fresh water I don't think a full tank of fresh water is going to freeze solid to the point of not drawing any water to the taps I think the weather would have to be about 20 below zero for that to happen.To be honest I think you are worying! Over nothing.keep the videos coming as I enjoy them,it's all a learning curve I've been caravaning and motorhoming for over 30 years and you always find something new.Happy new year to you and her indoors.
@@TravellingfromScratch me again by all means drain down the boiler when on the drive and empty the tanks and pipe work to stop frost damage untill the next time you go on a trip.if you just go for a day out just take a few litres of water in some large bottles and use a kettle on the gas job for a cuppa!.
@@grahamtoyn2912 Thanks Graham. Learning as I go and definitely benefitting from your experience. Keep me right mate. I do overthink it sometimes but every days a school day. 👍
Another useful tip, using bottled water is a great idea, but if like me you forget and you empty your cup, kettle, pee* down the sink, leave the grey water drain tap open and stick a bucket under it, the the grey water wont freeze, the grey water flows straight through the system, doesnt matter if it freezes in the bucket….
* not pee!
Ha ha. Thanks Paul. Good advice and shows that there are always options. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It’s what helps my channel grow. 👍🏻
I have the same heater and same problems. It seems pathetic that the heater malfunctions in cold weather. I worry it will stop and allow a freeze during the night. Sometimes I have to power down and back up.not impressed.
It doesn’t give you confidence for winter travelling does it. 🙁
Good tips. The very first trip I took in my CV happened to be a below zero trip. During the day was fine but the in the evening the temperature to around -4 by 11 o'clock.
I had put a bit of insulation in the rear doors - but I don't know if that made any difference at all.
I also had a windscreen cover which I'd recommend but if you don't have one then maybe rig up a blanket inside in across the cab area or something, it will help to stop condensation too.
So, at night I found the heat put out by the Whale heater to be excellent, it was very cosy, and although I never had any glitches with the controls, as you have the tip to carry a backup heater is a good one. You don't want to be caught short in the winter, as it were.
I did put fresh water in the tank, and drain water into the grey waste tank, but I only put the water in the day of travel and I switched the water heaters on - and glad to say I had no issues. - As I say, temperature during the day was fine.
Thanks Brian. Windscreen cover is an excellent tip. I like to wild camp and don’t like to cover the windscreen from the outside but I can definitely see the benefit. The blanket actress the inside is a good idea too. I’m going to put a curtain up across the cab area in a future video to help stop the condensation. Love reading the comments and other opinions. All great advice that will help others. Thanks again. 👍🏻
Tip number 5 is the one for me, I’ve just got to convince the wife!
Another good one Ian!
Yeah me too Barry. Gonna do a lot more in 2022. 👍🏻
Great video Ian and all good and valid points. Amongst your completed/planned mods, have you thought about adding extra insulation? I’ve seen some other Elddis pvc TH-cam video’s where the doors had no insulation at all! Would be a good mod and relatively simple if you have the right tool to remove the door panels. Take care buddy!
Thanks Tony. I have already put extra insulation in the door panels but I did it before I started my TH-cam channel. It’s top advice for anyone reading this and I will definitely mention it in a future video. I bought a roll of recycled plastic bottles insulation and stuffed the doors with it. Good stuff. Thanks for watching and commenting. It will definitely help others. 👍🏻
Great video and advice Ian, my tips would be, don’t go away when it’s too cold, wear a wholly hat in bed, don’t wear just budgie smugglers at night when walking the dog, only have warm dreams at night, don’t go far from home incase the weather gets too cold 🥶, thanks pete
Is it too late to change my top 5. Yours are much better. Thanks Pete. My budgie smugglers are going in the bin. 😂😂👍🏻
Perhaps you could put them over the fridge light at night if you run out of socks ( can you do a video on that modification) thanks pete
@@petepoole1827 😂😂😂
Top tips Ian, just need a van now 🙈 See you’ve also reset the top lip 😂
Me too .. only have about 6 more months to wait :(
@@darrenpardoe the time will fly by. You'll be travelling by the summer. 👍
Yes David. Thanks for noticing. Normal top lip service has been resumed. You will get your van in time. If it's worth having it's worth the wait. 👍
Nice One Ian, I thought your van had the winter pack with heaters for the tanks.
Jumping in here & answering for Ian. You can't keep the heaters on all the time as its impractical.
@@darrenpardoe Some are temperature sensitive and don't need to be on all the time but I'm not familiar with Elddis.
@@karlospappy8908 The Elddis ones do the same.
@@karlospappy8908 good point. Ian, do you know if the heaters turn off when the water or ambient air temps are above freezing + - some?
I have no idea Darren but it’s a very good question. I will find out from someone who knows more then me and let everyone know. My van does have the heaters but I have no idea if they even work. How could you tell if they were doing anything. I’ll check with the dealer. 👍🏻