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FolkeBuzz
I’m from Sweden and spend almost as much time in the California during winter season as in summer. We’ve done several 5-10day skiing trips in the Scandinavian mountains with “Folke” loaded with gear. The first trip we did it was below -20 degrees cels. and we had an amazing time. Cold yes, but not in the van. Day one when we arrived we thought we’d freeze to death so we pulled up the heater to 11 and went down to a restaurant to have dinner. A few hours later when we got back we discovered we had turned the van into sauna!We have just had a couple of days in the van with night temps down to freezing point. We have a Polar Technologies pop top cover and windscreen cover, these worked well but still a few concerns (in no particular order). This led me to thinking what experience/ advice to others have?
With nice thick duvet we were plenty warm during the night without heating on but cold nose n ears.
In the morning there was a fair amount of condensation on the plastic section of the roof above us. Also condensation alone the bed frame sides and the roof section of the hinge end. Anyone else get this? How do you deal with it?
The windscreen cover stopped all condensation and made it more comfortable to sit in the pax seat without cold draughts. Also we could have the windows cracked open a little bit more (50mm or so)
How do YOU remove condensation? we use a micro fibre cloth but tbh it tends to splash more water around than it removes haha. I’m wondering about one of those portable glass vacuum cleaners?
It was cold enough that when I tried to open the kitchen window it was frozen solid, the condensation on the glass was ice too.
I have tried leaving the heating on but either too noisy or starts to run batteries down a bit quick. I wonder if the heating would be best left on minimum to keep chill out but stop cycling on and off all night?
When opening the cupboards under the sink/cooker ……. Crikey, cold air came out!
None of this is a real issue, 1st world problems I s’pose. I just I’d start the thread topic as it’s getting colder out now.
Of course…….just realised the answer is probably NOT to camping in the winter……. but we can’t help ourselves!
So, here is my 2 cents from camping out during snowstorms in way below zero.
- Always use the heater, you don’t have to go full steam ahead 4-6 that should do the trick in most conditions. The bonus is that the heater dries your wet clothes and boots quickly(this can create a lot of moisture). Btw the batteries have managed 50+h in the winter so two days off grid is not an issue.
- Good airflow in the van, day and night, a must regardless of temp. Don’t fall for the “it’s freaking cold out there let’s close the windows…” be brave, hang in there and put some clothes on.
- External poptop insulation that have a water repellent outside layer. When it snows it builds up and creates an isolating effect, good right? No, the canvas will get soaking wet as the warm cosy atmosphere coming from inside the van will melt the snow and, ad a nice layer of ice too. Do your best to stay out that situation. Hacking your way with an ice pick on the canvas is a big non-no!!
- in winter we use down sleeping bags (heavy duty stuff) there are two reasons for that a) Safety! If sh*t hits the fan(literally speaking) you have an extra layer you can put on over your clothes while waiting for help and b) we can zip them together into one big bag. 2 people in the same sleeping bag helps to keep you warm and you get space by the feets to dry socks and undergarments (yeah that’s what we mountaineers do)
- Get the bbq out and make your meals outside! At least make lunch outside. Reason is, apart from the fact that it’s nice and tastes so much better, it helps preventing unnecessary condensation.
- Get proper clothes, don’t underestimate the comfort of outdoor clothes. Wool base and mid layers, good primaloft or down outer layers topped by a waterproof shell. Yes it’s expensive but can you afford a cool campervan you should enjoy it all year around.
This was definitely more than “2 cents”
Hope it helps and good luck with your winter adventures!!
Myself, I have to wait until new year then we’re heading to Alesund, Norway, and one of the most beautiful places on earth for skiing and chilling.
