Get a Diesel heater fitted, so cheap to run, very little drain on battery and best of all, the exhaust heat emitted under the caravan will keep everything frost free. Especially if you install the device strategically, use the maximum permitted exhaust pipe length and fix it close to the positions of your majority of water pipe runs. The heat from the exhaust, if positioned strategically, will collect under the caravan (hot air rises !!) and form a “blanket like” layer underneath. Don’t position the end of the exhaust outside the periphery of the caravan, and waste its valuable heat. Propane gas, as is mentioned, vaporises at a much lower temperature than Butane and I take one or two 13kg cylinders (that feeds an ordinary gas fire and everything else) and stand it outside, with a lengthened pipe, close to where I can feel most of the remaining exhaust heat coming from under the caravan. Temperatures below minus 15 degrees of frost and 3 feet of snow have never bothered me with anything freezing. I also have 250watts of solar power and a small generator and never have to “hook up” to mains anywhere !! All lights are LED too, a great electric saver. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
mate that video is very funny, here in Queensland Australia we deal with the heat problems the same way uou deal with the cold !! not sure which is worst .. ( yea I do really ) love your vids.. cheers..
ME AND MY WIFE HAVE BEEN CARAVANING FOR 35 YEARS AND STARTED WITH A 20 YEAR OLD VAN IN THE 80'S WE ARE NOW ON OUR 5th Van whitch is only 3 years old . Personally WE WOULD HELP ANY BODY OUT BUT WITH TODAY'S CARAVANS IF YOU CAN'T INJOY SUMMER CAMPING WITH TO DAYS CARAVANING . THEN DON'T EVEN GO THERE IN WINTTER AS TO DAYS CARAVANS ARE BETTER EQUIPPED THAN MOST HOUSES. JUST LIVE AND INJOY A GREAT ADVENTURE. LIVE THE DREAM. And use common sense. ❤.
Hi, nice video. A co meter should be at highest place in the caravan. I mean within 2 cm of the sealing. Or on the roof. First thing to do is a long blanket around the caravan is best thing. The one that covers the wheels and avoids wind passage under the entire vehicle . It is the first thing you should think of. Offen forgotten. Gr Reza
CO is heavyer than air, that’s why it is so dangerous, if the victim falls on the floor where the CO concentration is higher, a few sniffs, and the person is paralised, can’t even call for help. I suggest installing the sensors at the same level as the nose off the person sleeping. If we want to detect hydrogen wich is lighter than air, the sensor should be placed near the ceiling. When burning anything, leave enough ventilation. Intake, and exhaust. Cheers.
For winter camping: 1 - Chose a caravan brand properly built for winter camping, i.e. Kabe, Polar or Solifer. The best insulation on the market. Some of these brands even got tripple "glass" windows for better insulation (and no condensation down to at least -20C). 2 - At least chose a caravan proper insulation thickness and with a ventilation gap between the inside walls and the interior of the caravan. This eliminates comdensation on the interior walls and waterdamage. 3 - Apply 10mm of insulation to the inside of the propane/butane compartment (standard on most Kabe, Polar and Solifer). 3 - Chose a hydronic heating system (Alde is probably the best on the market). Those ordinary heater blowers in common European caravans are crap (and noisy). 4 - If not done from factory, extend the hydronic heating tubes to the toilet cassette dept. and to the fresh water tank and install a small radiator at both places. (This would most probably come as standard with Kabe, Polar and Solifer). 5 - Install a twin fitting for butane/propane. By doing this you can easily avoid running out of gas when you need it the most (well, if you replace the empty tank one by one and not waiting until both are empty, otherwise you will freeze anyway).
We are going to see if we can make the live chats a bit better, Its a tough one but will see if we can improve and if not stick to the proper videos. Any suggestions are welcomed. 👍
If your gas quits or slows . Take the regulator off & heat it up. There is a vent hole the size of a tooth pick that collects moisture, dust & muck & will shut it off when frozen or blocked. Five mins ontop of a radiator .. followed by a good lung full of breath blown thro it will get you back online again. I FT tour in a Swift Quattro & have never been cold or without good gas supply.
Great video, Mark. Watching it with interest as I'm going off grid on Winter solstice for 4 days in my Bailey Discovery D4-4. Just done a quick test in the drive with the gas heating and TV on for 4 hours, the 150W solar panel took 2 days with solid grey cloud in partial shade to fully recharge, so I don't think I'll be using my TV when off grid-I'll stay in the pub instead! 🙃
Thats a good idea, especially with the law not changing as yet for towing. We have a smaller lighter caravan video next week but we will see if we can do one for upto that weight range. 👍
Hello! I live in Romania and for the first time, in a caravan, off-grid, so with no access to electricity except my solar pannels. They don't do much in this weather and recently my battery went flat. I left it somewhere to charge overnight but even so, in a week or so, is pretty much dead. I do have a friend with generator, but I am not quite sure if it will damage the battery (doing it constantly during the winter), how to use it and for how long. Could you please help me out with some details? Thank you! Happy new year!
I'm not great on the generators sorry, they do have lots of different outputs, but if it is a computer safe generator where you are able to run a computer from the generator, then it will be safe to run the caravan from and this will then also charge the caravan battery aswell as being able to use all 230v power in the caravan.
@@thecaravanplace patio gas is a mixture of bottled butane and propane I think this is why they use patio gas used in a lot of appliances like outside gas heaters barbecues etc for the winter and dose not burn as fast 1-year it was so cold in my caravan I had my gas heater was on and my cooker on running over night I woke up with a it was like I overdose or completely drunk till i opened the door for this due to leaving the cooker on on the fumes coming out of it say yes I highly recommend you have a carbon monoxide detector in your caravan
Hi Mark, As a relative new caravan returnee (is that a word?!) there's lots of really useful tips in here as per. The c'van is stored up for the winter. Based on your advice, I'm plugging it into the mains every two weeks to keep the battery topped up (to 13.7?) I've purged the water system and I've taped up the fridge vents and grey water drain to stop insects nesting 🤗
Question due to the increased testing at airports will there be another massive stay cation next year and will caravans and motor homes increase in value again due to demand
Very possible, there is also a huge shortage on new models being manufactured. Its impossible to say for sure, but when you look at everything with covid, new shortage it does point to a increase in prices.
You advise to use red bottles during winter? I was always led to believe that this was not possible without changing the burner jets as they are not compatible and will burn out causing possible damage thanks
Thanks mate, can I ask what are good winter vents for the fridge and what would you recommend for the water jacket. We are off for new year and it will be cold lol. We are using our caravan every 4 to 5 weeks, as you know we have never owned one before the end of this summer.
Hi, the vents will be specific to the fridge, so if its the dometic just google search dometic winter fridge covers and then look for the ones that will fit ur vents. Leisure shop direct allows u to put ur fridge model number in and search for the correct ones also. With the water if you google aquaroll winter cover it will bring up a few options. 👍 hope this helps.
Does anyone know if the floors in caravans are insulated these days The floor was the biggest source of cold last time I was caravanning ,,, I'm guessing it may depend on the model asto weather floors are insulated would that be right ? 1
It depends how cold it is, if the fridge is not getting cold enough then use both. The fridge covers will help the rear of the fridge heat up during cold weather so it just depends how cold the weather is if that makes sense. 👍
DR I agree about the music, not a massive difference but still needs tweaking. Personally speaking I prefer edits do we really need music to watch u go from inside to outside but minor gripe
@@thecaravanplace I did a little testing, the problem goes away when I cast the video to my TV. The problem only seems to be on my phone, music is normal as is voice at the start of the video then around a minute in the voice goes very muffled and the music is still normal. I have noticed this on a few of your videos but never on any other videos on youtube so I don't know what YT is doing to yours but it isn't good!
A simple Google search told me that butane freezes at -188°c but boils so makes it hards to ignite at -2°c so all that is needed is a jacket, don't mention to change the pipes after every 5 years though will you. Also it's 2001 have u not heard of window vacuum, use a cloth lol. Mind you wasn't going to watch this, so well done on the click bait
![What It Costs [Caravan Life UK]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tTpEq7qw25I/mqdefault.jpg)
Well i dont even have a caravan but still love watching these well done great videos.
Get a Diesel heater fitted, so cheap to run, very little drain on battery and best of all, the exhaust heat emitted under the caravan will keep everything frost free.
Especially if you install the device strategically, use the maximum permitted exhaust pipe length and fix it close to the positions of your majority of water pipe runs. The heat from the exhaust, if positioned strategically, will collect under the caravan (hot air rises !!) and form a “blanket like” layer underneath. Don’t position the end of the exhaust outside the periphery of the caravan, and waste its valuable heat.
Propane gas, as is mentioned, vaporises at a much lower temperature than Butane and I take one or two 13kg cylinders (that feeds an ordinary gas fire and everything else) and stand it outside, with a lengthened pipe, close to where I can feel most of the remaining exhaust heat coming from under the caravan. Temperatures below minus 15 degrees of frost and 3 feet of snow have never bothered me with anything freezing. I also have 250watts of solar power and a small generator and never have to “hook up” to mains anywhere !! All lights are LED too, a great electric saver. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
I only use the original heater because these other heater might be dangerous in a small space
I also use a selection of thermos flasks to save on gas :-) oh and hot water bottles are worth their weight. Thanks, useful video.
Thanks for the tips Neil 👍
Some great tips for using your caravan all year round.
mate that video is very funny, here in Queensland Australia we deal with the heat problems the same way uou deal with the cold !! not sure which is worst ..
( yea I do really )
love your vids..
cheers..
I know about that heat, we stayed in a caravan for 5 nights in Adelaide, it was a good job it had aircon or I think we would have cooked.👍
ME AND MY WIFE HAVE BEEN CARAVANING FOR 35 YEARS AND STARTED WITH A 20 YEAR OLD VAN IN THE 80'S
WE ARE NOW ON OUR 5th Van whitch is only 3 years old .
Personally WE WOULD HELP ANY BODY OUT BUT WITH TODAY'S CARAVANS IF YOU CAN'T INJOY SUMMER CAMPING WITH TO DAYS CARAVANING .
THEN DON'T EVEN GO THERE IN WINTTER AS TO DAYS CARAVANS ARE BETTER EQUIPPED THAN MOST HOUSES.
JUST LIVE AND INJOY A GREAT ADVENTURE. LIVE THE DREAM. And use common sense. ❤.
Excellent team up video with motorhome man
Hi, nice video. A co meter should be at highest place in the caravan. I mean within 2 cm of the sealing. Or on the roof. First thing to do is a long blanket around the caravan is best thing. The one that covers the wheels and avoids wind passage under the entire vehicle . It is the first thing you should think of. Offen forgotten. Gr Reza
CO is heavyer than air, that’s why it is so dangerous, if the victim falls on the floor where the CO concentration is higher, a few sniffs, and the person is paralised, can’t even call for help.
I suggest installing the sensors at the same level as the nose off the person sleeping. If we want to detect hydrogen wich is lighter than air, the sensor should be placed near the ceiling.
When burning anything, leave enough ventilation. Intake, and exhaust.
Cheers.
For winter camping:
1 - Chose a caravan brand properly built for winter camping, i.e. Kabe, Polar or Solifer. The best insulation on the market. Some of these brands even got tripple "glass" windows for better insulation (and no condensation down to at least -20C).
2 - At least chose a caravan proper insulation thickness and with a ventilation gap between the inside walls and the interior of the caravan. This eliminates comdensation on the interior walls and waterdamage.
3 - Apply 10mm of insulation to the inside of the propane/butane compartment (standard on most Kabe, Polar and Solifer).
3 - Chose a hydronic heating system (Alde is probably the best on the market). Those ordinary heater blowers in common European caravans are crap (and noisy).
4 - If not done from factory, extend the hydronic heating tubes to the toilet cassette dept. and to the fresh water tank and install a small radiator at both places. (This would most probably come as standard with Kabe, Polar and Solifer).
5 - Install a twin fitting for butane/propane. By doing this you can easily avoid running out of gas when you need it the most (well, if you replace the empty tank one by one and not waiting until both are empty, otherwise you will freeze anyway).
When cold keep 5Ltr fresh water near door to use to fill kettle in the morning.
If you are not on mains electric try to reduce 12 volt usage. Cold batteries don't seem to last as long as they do in the summer.
Thanks Robert 👍
The first thing you need is common sense. We caravan all year, no problem at all. You don’t need to spend silly money
Another great video Mark
Very good far better than live chats.
We are going to see if we can make the live chats a bit better, Its a tough one but will see if we can improve and if not stick to the proper videos. Any suggestions are welcomed. 👍
Brilliant advice thanks. Xx
Thanks guys, hope it helps.
Some great tips.Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks guys 👍
You wont get condensation with a diesel heater, but get lots with a gas heater.
I see a few people starting to use these now.
If your gas quits or slows . Take the regulator off & heat it up. There is a vent hole the size of a tooth pick that collects moisture, dust & muck & will shut it off when frozen or blocked. Five mins ontop of a radiator .. followed by a good lung full of breath blown thro it will get you back online again. I FT tour in a Swift Quattro & have never been cold or without good gas supply.
Thanks 👍
Thank you, a very informative video.
Great video, Mark. Watching it with interest as I'm going off grid on Winter solstice for 4 days in my Bailey Discovery D4-4.
Just done a quick test in the drive with the gas heating and TV on for 4 hours, the 150W solar panel took 2 days with solid grey cloud in partial shade to fully recharge, so I don't think I'll be using my TV when off grid-I'll stay in the pub instead! 🙃
Pub sounds very good 👍
Just take a spare battery & charge the flat one in the car with a split charger on days out, that’s what I do 👍
Great video 👍
Thanks Dave 👍
Would you be willing to do a video on the caravans you have that are 1500kg as looking to buy 1 soon :) but as big as posable x
Thats a good idea, especially with the law not changing as yet for towing. We have a smaller lighter caravan video next week but we will see if we can do one for upto that weight range. 👍
@@thecaravanplace Thanks will help as I have a pathfinder that is the only problem it is about 2100kg plus me 110kg lol
Go down to Southern Spain
Ohh this sounds like a plan 👍
I'd add a diesel heater 👍
Hello!
I live in Romania and for the first time, in a caravan, off-grid, so with no access to electricity except my solar pannels. They don't do much in this weather and recently my battery went flat. I left it somewhere to charge overnight but even so, in a week or so, is pretty much dead. I do have a friend with generator, but I am not quite sure if it will damage the battery (doing it constantly during the winter), how to use it and for how long. Could you please help me out with some details? Thank you! Happy new year!
I'm not great on the generators sorry, they do have lots of different outputs, but if it is a computer safe generator where you are able to run a computer from the generator, then it will be safe to run the caravan from and this will then also charge the caravan battery aswell as being able to use all 230v power in the caravan.
@@thecaravanplace 😊
propane gas bottles good but seems to me patio gas seems to last a lot longer for some reason
Hmm not sure why that would be? 🤔 thanks for commenting 👍
@@thecaravanplace patio gas is a mixture of bottled butane and propane I think this is why they use patio gas used in a lot of appliances like outside gas heaters barbecues etc for the winter
and dose not burn as fast 1-year it was so cold in my caravan I had my gas heater was on and my cooker on running over night I woke up with a it was like I overdose or completely drunk till i opened the door for this due to leaving the cooker on on the fumes coming out of it say yes I highly recommend you have a carbon monoxide detector in your caravan
Could you add car window antifreeze in the toilet cistern to stop it
I'm not sure, it would need to be checked to see if it causes damage to plastic etc, but would be useful through the winter. 👍
Hi Mark,
As a relative new caravan returnee (is that a word?!) there's lots of really useful tips in here as per.
The c'van is stored up for the winter.
Based on your advice, I'm plugging it into the mains every two weeks to keep the battery topped up (to 13.7?) I've purged the water system and I've taped up the fridge vents and grey water drain to stop insects nesting 🤗
Thanks Martin, hopefully all good for next year now 👍
Question due to the increased testing at airports will there be another massive stay cation next year and will caravans and motor homes increase in value again due to demand
Very possible, there is also a huge shortage on new models being manufactured. Its impossible to say for sure, but when you look at everything with covid, new shortage it does point to a increase in prices.
You advise to use red bottles during winter? I was always led to believe that this was not possible without changing the burner jets as they are not compatible and will burn out causing possible damage thanks
Nope your Caravan or Motorhome is setup to work on either without any problem.
Hi Mark
Should you put a cover over your caravan?
If its a good breathable one, normally put the window catches on breath setting also.
Thanks mate, can I ask what are good winter vents for the fridge and what would you recommend for the water jacket. We are off for new year and it will be cold lol. We are using our caravan every 4 to 5 weeks, as you know we have never owned one before the end of this summer.
Hi, the vents will be specific to the fridge, so if its the dometic just google search dometic winter fridge covers and then look for the ones that will fit ur vents. Leisure shop direct allows u to put ur fridge model number in and search for the correct ones also. With the water if you google aquaroll winter cover it will bring up a few options. 👍 hope this helps.
@@thecaravanplace Many thanks
Does anyone know if the floors in caravans are insulated these days
The floor was the biggest source of cold last time I was caravanning ,,, I'm guessing it may depend on the model asto weather floors are insulated would that be right ?
1
Yes the floors are also insulated 👍
During winter use should I cover both fridge vents or just one of them?
It depends how cold it is, if the fridge is not getting cold enough then use both. The fridge covers will help the rear of the fridge heat up during cold weather so it just depends how cold the weather is if that makes sense. 👍
@@thecaravanplace Ok thanks, in the past if its very cold then I just use the bottom one and it seams to be ok, every day is a school day👍👍
Good video, sound levels are bad though. Huge volume difference between speaking and music.
Thanks for this, we will have a look at this for the next video 👍
DR I agree about the music, not a massive difference but still needs tweaking.
Personally speaking I prefer edits do we really need music to watch u go from inside to outside but minor gripe
@@thecaravanplace I did a little testing, the problem goes away when I cast the video to my TV. The problem only seems to be on my phone, music is normal as is voice at the start of the video then around a minute in the voice goes very muffled and the music is still normal. I have noticed this on a few of your videos but never on any other videos on youtube so I don't know what YT is doing to yours but it isn't good!
thanks Lad ( :
Staying in your house, with the heating on.
Why do so many place their carbon monoxide monitors at head height?
Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air it rises.
A simple Google search told me that butane freezes at -188°c but boils so makes it hards to ignite at -2°c so all that is needed is a jacket, don't mention to change the pipes after every 5 years though will you.
Also it's 2001 have u not heard of window vacuum, use a cloth lol.
Mind you wasn't going to watch this, so well done on the click bait
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍