Essential tips and tricks for winter van camping guide

Camping in a van over winter allows you to see parts of Australia that most people never will.

One day you might be shredding the slopes of the Snowy Mountains. The next you might be watching humpback whales frolicking on the East Coast. A week later, you could be showering in the “warm winter waterfalls” of Kakadu National Park.

Our travel experts have compiled this list of tips and tricks to help you prepare for a truly unforgettable winter van camping trip. We have included ideas for both van owners and hirers, including:

• How to prepare your van for winter camping (if you’re an owner)

• What to pack for winter van camping (if you’re hiring)

• Helpful tips for camping and living in a van in winter

• Handy tricks for driving a campervan in winter

There’s a tonne of reasons why you should go camping in winter - and this article proves just how simple, snug and serene it can be!

Preparing Your Van for Winter Camping

Insulate Your Van

If installing van insulation for winter camping, you want to choose insulation with a high “R-value”. A high R-value means that your van is more thermally efficient (i.e. more warm air is trapped inside and cold air is kept outside).

Fibreglass and rigid foam are both highly effective forms of insulation. But don’t forget to also insulate the roof and floor of your van, as this will make a massive difference when winter camping.

Install a Heating System

In Australia, most vans use either a gas heating system or reverse-cycle air conditioning.

Reverse-cycle air conditioning is popular because:

• It can be used for cooling during summer and heating during winter.

• It’s safe to run overnight.

• The system doesn’t consume too much space (often fitted to the roof).

However, to run air conditioning, the van will likely need to be plugged into an outlet at a powered campsite.

Install Double-Pane Windows and Use Window Covers

Single-pane van windows allow hot air to escape and cold air to seep in. This is why dual-pane or triple-pane van windows are preferable when camping in winter.

If you would prefer to stick with single-pane windows or would like to further insulate your multi-pane windows, you should consider making or buying some insulated window covers or thermal blinds. They often come in multi-packs (1x rear window and 2x side windows) and will help keep your van cool in summer and warm in winter.

Further, if your van has blinds or curtains, close them when winter camping for extra insulation.

Insulate Your Water Pipes

If your van is going to be used for camping in freezing temperatures (i.e. alpine regions), it is best to insulate any water pipes that are external to the van. This will prevent the water from freezing and damaging your plumbing. To do so, simply wrap the external pipes with insulation and heat tape.

Top Up the Antifreeze

Before your van is used for winter camping, be sure to top up the engine's coolant reservoir with antifreeze (and drain out any other coolants). This will prevent the radiator from freezing or overheating.

Snow Chains

If your van will be driven in snowy or icy conditions, snow chains may be necessary. While hirers can rent chains from local service stations or holiday parks, it might be a smart move to include these in your van just in case. In winter, you can be fined for not carrying snow chains in some alpine regions (such as Kosciuszko National Park - one of the best winter camping activities in NSW).

Packing for Winter Van Camping

Extra Blankets

If you want to be super snug and cosy whilst winter van camping, pack a few extra blankets. Many people even take a sleeping bag because they are compact and designed for sub-zero temperatures.

Warm Clothes

Rugging up is the quickest and most effective way to warm up when winter camping. Be sure to pack all your winter clothing essentials such as thick socks, a beanie, gloves and thermal underwear. Also, consider taking a pair of work boots that you can get dirty in slushy conditions.

Check out what else to bring along with our list of winter camping essentials.

Camping and Living in a Van in Winter

Keep Your Van at a Comfortable Temperature

Many van heating systems have an inbuilt timing feature. This feature allows you to turn the system on or off at a set time.

At night, turn the heating system off just before you go to bed and program it to turn back on after a few hours. This will prevent the van from becoming too hot or too cold. You can use this same trick if you are leaving the van parked for the day and want it to be warm when you return.

This tip also prevents the inside of your van from freezing, which can cause plumbing damage and other problems.

Prevent Condensation and Moisture

To prevent condensation and moisture from forming inside your van, turn on the roof fan. This is particularly important when drying wet gear or taking showers. If your van doesn’t have a roof fan, consider slightly opening one of the windows or doors.

Don’t Spend Every Second in the Van

If you’re feeling a bit chilly, do some physical activity. A simple walk can get your heart rate pumping and raise your body temperature. By the time you return to the van, you’ll have done some sightseeing and got some exercise.

Alternatively, you can head out to a local bar, restaurant, cafe or a public facility such as a library. There is normally a heap of heated venues around town for you to take advantage of.

Use a Hot Water Bottle

There’s nothing quite like coming home to a hot water bottle. Boil the kettle as soon as you come in and put a hot water bottle in your bed before you go to sleep. Winter van camping has never been so snug!

Driving a Campervan in Winter

Pack Weight to the Front or Rear of the Van

The van that you hire for your winter camping trip will either be FWD, RWD or AWD. When packing your van, try to place as much weight as possible over the powered wheels (i.e. either the front or the rear). This will help the powered wheels to gain more traction in slippery conditions.

Learn How to Put on Snow Chains

This one's only necessary if you're planning to somewhere snowy. Before you set off on your winter camping adventure, read the van’s manual and look for the section on snow chains. When you do put snow chains on, stop after the first 50 metres to check that the chains are still tight and that they aren’t damaging the vehicle.

Use Your Gear Box

If you’re driving a manual vehicle, select a low gear on icy roads. This will help to prevent your wheels from spinning. Further, use your gearbox instead of your brakes when you want to slow the vehicle down, as this will help to prevent sliding.

Prevent Your Windows From Fogging Over

When driving your van on cold winter days, prevent the windows from fogging over by intermittently blasting cool air conditioning on the windscreen. Similarly, turn on the rear window defroster to keep it clear.

Are You Ready for a Winter Van Camping Trip?

Your itinerary is planned, your bags are packed and you now know a thing or two about driving and camping in a van in winter. You’re almost ready for your next adventure. But there’s just one thing you may be forgetting…

The key to a comfortable camping trip is choosing a van that perfectly suits your needs and budget.

Camplify has heaps ofcampervans available for hire in Australia - each one customised to offer something unique. Browse through our selection and within a few minutes, you will have found the van that is right for you.

If you need a little help choosing a vehicle that is well-suited to chilly climates, check out our article on the best motorhomes for winter use.