As the weather cools down, many travellers like to hibernate until the days start to warm up again. But for most motorhomers, the winter season is time to embrace the cooler days and take advantage of lower campsite prices, fewer travellers on the roads, and a welcome change of scenery!
Winter is also a great time to start looking at campervans for sale. Some owners who don’t use their motorhomes as much as they planned may sell up after summer. If you’re considering looking at motorhomes for sale, it’s worth checking out the great range of KEA ex-rental campervans for sale first!
Travelling by motorhome in winter has plenty of advantages, you just need to make sure you’re well prepared! In this blog, we share 10 top tips for driving your motorhome safely over winter.
When you first start looking at campervans for sale, one of your top priorities will be comfort and safety. If you’re keen on travelling in winter, here are a few things you may want to consider when looking at motorhomes for sale:
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Once you’ve bought your ideal campervan, it’s time to start thinking about planning your winter getaway.
As nice as it can be to head off the beaten track and spend a few nights in a freedom camping spot, we suggest considering holiday parks for winter. This way, you’ll have all the facilities you need to keep warm and cosy during the cooler months. Being in a holiday park also gives you the peace of mind that should bad weather set in, you’re not at risk in a remote area.
Some holiday parks also have hot spas or thermal pools – perfect for warming up over winter!
Heading off to the snow is a great way to enjoy winter! But remember, if you’re travelling to Australia’s alpine regions, you may be required to fit snow chains to your tyres. Often 2WDs will be required to fit chains but AWDs and 4WDs may not need to.
There are a few different styles, but the most common are ladder chains and diamond-pattern chains. You can determine the right size of chain you need for your motorhome by finding the tyre size (printed on the sidewall of your tyre) and selecting the correct size from a chain sizing guide at the hire shop.
If you’re not familiar with snow chains, it’s worthwhile having an expert show you how to fit them, and then practice a little so you are well prepared.
When you have to pop them on, drive forward 10-20 metres at about 20 km/h so the chain can settle into place. You may need to check the chains and possibly tighten them up.
Diesel fuel additives are important when driving in colder climates. Most motorhomes are diesel-powered, and the issue is that diesel can get sluggish at low temperatures, which is bad news for your filters and your engine.
An alpine diesel or a winter fuel additive in your fuel tank will lower the temperature where diesel starts to thicken and help to avoid any issues. An additive is highly advisable for overnight as well as short stops. Add it to a tank that is less than one-quarter full for the best results.
If you’re not sure which additive is best for your campervan, ask the friendly team at your nearest KEA dealership.
If you’re travelling to Australia’s alpine regions over winter, you don’t want to risk getting cold! There’s nothing worse than spending the night shivering because you underestimated how many layers you’d need!
With a good internal heater and several layers of creature comforts, you can be sure to stay nice and toasty during your travels. We recommend packing the following:
One of the hidden dangers of driving over winter is black ice. This ice forms in shady areas of the road, especially early in the morning, and can be very hard to see.
A top tip for controlling your motorhome on icy roads is to avoid using your brakes as much as possible. As many modern motorhomes have automated manual transmission, drive your RV in manual rather than automatic so you can use your gears to control your speed.
Where possible, avoid driving early in the morning or after dusk when there is likely to be more risk of ice.
Most importantly, remember to take it slowly – there's absolutely no rush – and keep your gears very low on your descent so you can control your speed.
If you're in a location that is expecting sub-zero temperatures, our advice is to use your park brake instead of the handbrake as it may freeze. Alternatively, if your motorhome or campervan has a manual transmission, you can leave the vehicle in gear and secure your wheels for extra safety with wheel chocks.
You'll need to find suitably rated, purpose-built and non-slip RV chocks that will handle ice and snow. Chunks of wood won't do the job and many ski resorts won't allow them to be used.
Winter is all about warming comfort food – and they’re even more enjoyable when you’re travelling by motorhome! You might like to cook up a big batch of your favourite soup or stew at home before you hit the road. Simply portion it out into snaplock bags (for easy storage) and warm it up in a pot or in the microwave as needed.
Fortunately, with your own kitchen on board, it’s easy to create hearty meals to enjoy as the sun goes down. Some easy throw-together meals include:
While it’s important to keep your motorhome nice and warm, especially in the mornings, it’s also important to air your motorhome out, to avoid a build-up of moisture. To help ventilate your motorhome, open up a window or two for a few hours during the day, and remember to open your shower roof hatch to allow moisture to escape.
A cosy motorhome to return to after a day of hiking or skiing is bliss! There’s nothing quite like stepping inside your nice warm, dry campervan, heating up a tasty meal and getting snuggled into a blanket on the sofa or in bed.
Travelling in winter is the perfect time to indulge in all those cosy treats! Here are a few suggestions to add to your packing list for a wonderful winter escape:
So what if it’s a bit chilly or it might rain? When you’re travelling in your own motorhome, winter has so much to offer! See the snow, enjoy the wintery landscape, soak in hot pools, and eat comfort food surrounded by great views! We can’t think of a better way to make the most of the cooler months.
The first step is to start researching motorhomes for sale. And one of the best places to look is at KEA ex-rental campervans for sale.
For answers to all of the above and more, it’s definitely worth a chat with your local KEA dealer. Simply walk into your nearest dealership and ask as many questions as you like. The friendly KEA team are motorhome and campervan experts and can help you find the best campervan or motorhome to suit you and your travel lifestyle.
Ready to buy a motorhome with KEA? Take the first step and check out the great range online today.