Having recently bought our Lunar Meteor 1993 caravan we are keen, as a recently retired couple, to make the most of it over the winter. It's only a 13ft interior length 2 berth.
The water is heated by gas and/or electric, we have a carver gas heater, and a 500/1000w fan heater, plus an oil fired electric radiator which we can carry in the car which has 3 settings - 600, 900 and 1500w. We also have a 4 burner hob, grill and oven, plenty of mains sockets, a slow cooker, a Remoska, etc.
We have joined the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan Club.
Do you think it's feasable to caravan during the winter months with this set-up, and can anyone recommend any sites which are open all year which will suit us - I am disabled, and use a mobility scooter/wheelchair, but can walk a very short distance if need be.
------------- I'm as old as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth
January and February are generally the months we don't tend to go away in the van we do go during the other winter months. One advantage of a smaller van is that the heater is often the same size as used in bigger vans so it easier to keep warm. The oil filled rad might be useful for overnight use. I don't know about the C&CC but the Caravan Club tend to keep sites open all year that have hardstandings. I am sure its true of both Clubs that wardens will always try and find a pitch near the toilet block for disabled people. Just make sure you asked at time of booking.
You'll be just fine. We've used ours when it's been very cold & our caravan is a lot more basic than yours believe me ! As long as you have common sense & employ it you can be warm & safe & have a nice break in the winter months with your caravan no problem. Enjoy yourselves.
------------- Fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing . Anton Chekhov
I can only reiterate previous posts on this, winter is a great time to go away, sites tend to be quieter, and the surrounding area looks different with a light frosting! Just ensure you insulate any outside water containers with an old coat or insulating wrap as well as keeping a supply of water in a bottle inside the caravan for that early morning brew if it has frozen up outside. We were away this year in January and February and found no problems, and have booked to be away in the Staffordshire Moorlands for the New Year! Go on get out there and enjoy yourselves! Good Luck
It's not the time in the caravan that's the problem - cold weather outside makes for a cozy time inside.
Rather it's the hassle of getting and disposing of water in low temps/rain/snow/ice, and keeping that water from freezing once you have it that's the real pain.
Also, you've far less daylight to work with, so you have to remember to get all the chores done early.
Details of CC sites open throughout can be found here.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
hi, we caravan all year,it,s always cosy in the van and it gives you a nice feeling when its cold outside,as others have stated let the wardarns know that a member of your party are disabled and they will pitch your van close to all amenites and again like others have stated make sure that you water containers are insulated and keep fresh water in van ready for that morning cuppa,one site i would recommend would be broadway caravan club site in the coltswolds,lovely area and plenty going on leading up to xmas, we just came back today from burnham, next trip in two week,s so you go for it and enjoy.
------------- its easy enough to be pleasant when the world rolls along like a song.but a man is worth while if he can smile when every thing goes f------ wrong.
We tour all year and have spent 2 winters now in a van, I can tell you its warmer in the van than the house we used to live in, we used to turn off the radiators in the rooms less used to lower the bills so with the van being smaller its quicker and easier to heat, we have been llike toast all winter.
The only problem I can see is with freezing but if you lag carefully you should avoid that also, you would have to do the same in a house!!!
And getting water and disposing of waste and emptying the loo is a bit of a pain as you HAVE to go out to do them,unlike in a house but if you wrap up when going outside to do it you should stay warm as it doesnt really take that long to do.
As others have said if you mention when booking the wardens will put you near the amenity block which usually caters for the disabled with easliy accessible showers and toilets.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Winter Caravanning
