Top Tips for Enjoying Your Camper This Winter

Because adventures don’t have to stop when the temperature drops!

At Out and About Campers, we believe adventures are for every season. In fact, some of the best memories are made when it’s frosty outside, the kettle’s on and your van feels like the cosiest place on earth.

To help you make the most of your camper through the colder months, we asked our amazing Club OAAC community to share their best winter camping tips. From keeping snug at night to setting up for a chilled evening in, here’s what they said:

1) Stay Toasty: Electric Blankets & Portable Power

“Using an electric blanket through the night takes the cosiness to the next level,” says Gem. Even when not on hook-up, she uses one with a portable power bank (like those from Jackery or Bluetti) to stay warm all night long.

Sandie also said: “A quick blast of the diesel heater (if you have one) helps warm up the van nicely before bed.”

Top tip: Check your battery charge before you go off-grid, and recharge during the day using solar or driving time.

2) Keep the Heat In: Pop-Top Covers

If you’ve got a pop-top, you’ll know it’s often where the heat escapes and condensation creeps in. Several Club OAAC members swear by pop-top insulation covers to fix that.

Internal pop-top cover: Skyline now make them to fit their pop tops. “We used ours for the first time this week,” one member said. “It definitely made a difference – we didn’t need the heater at all overnight. Easy to clip on and good value.”

External pop-top cover: Natalie recommended the Rainbow Screens wrap. “It makes a huge difference with heat and condensation. It’s really a two-person job but quick to put up, looks great, and comes in lots of colours.”

Top tip: Internal covers are quicker to set up solo, while external wraps tend to perform better in extreme cold.

3) Cosy Evenings: Easy Entertainment Options

When it’s dark and chilly outside, a bit of evening entertainment is essential.

Elaine, a new winter camper, asked for tips on setting up a small TV – a few members recommended to “Get an iPad and a headrest mount – you can stream straight from the device rather than needing a separate system.”

Melanie and Steve both recommend a Wi-Fi hub. “A two-hour movie uses around 4–4.5GB,” Steve says. “An unlimited or high-data SIM is worth it.”

Top tip: A tablet with downloaded shows saves battery and data.

Don’t be put off by colder weather, winter camping has its own special charm. Campsites are quieter, the air is crisp and there’s nothing like watching the sunrise over a frosty field from the warmth of your van.

Pack smart, plan for warmth and you’ll find your camper is every bit as enjoyable in December as it is in July.

Got your own winter camper tip?

We’d love to hear it! email us at marketing@outandaboutcampers.co.uk and share how you keep cosy and make the most of your van all year round.