It may sound like a crazy thing to do, but with most modern caravans having heating systems and even double glazing, your caravan could make the cosiest accommodation for a winter getaway. Why not book into a camp site over Christmas and take the children or grandchildren – they’re more resilient to the cold and would love to play outdoors in the snow, rather than be cooped up with the extended family!

Here are some tips to make your winter caravanning trip enjoyable:

• We can’t expect children to be active outdoors, once the dark nights come, so keep them entertained with DVDs and family board games.
• An awning can provide the ideal space to take off muddy wellies and waterproofs without damaging your caravans carpets and upholstery. It’s a good idea to invest in some strong steal pegs for pitching the awning on frozen ground.
• Give your caravan and tow car the once over, checking tyre pressures and condition as well as oil and brake fluid levels. Check all lights are working correctly and your car battery is in good condition – your local garage will be able to help you with this. Make sure your screenwash tank is full and mixed correctly for winter (see the instructions on the bottle).
• Fitting your tow car with mud and snow tyres could be a sound investment, not just for your journey, but also to get you on and off the campsite, especially if hard standing is not available.
• Make sure all moving parts are well oiled to prevent them from seizing up.
• Take a winter survival kit which includes a spade, ice scraper, torch and spare batteries, blankets, warm clothing, a first aid kit and the number of your breakdown company as you never know when you’ll need them.
• Don’t forget to take your mobile phone and make sure it’s fully charged or you have a means to charge it whilst you’re away.
• If your caravan has an external water container, it will be more susceptible to freezing over, so having one inside can be more practical. There are conversion kits on the market to create a second on-board water tank so ask your local caravan dealer or accessory shop.
• When booking your campsite, look for one with heated toilet and shower blocks and mains electric hook-ups and this will make your stay that bit more comfortable.
• Use propane gas instead of butane as it performs better in the cold weather. Check you have the correct adapter for the type of gas you are using by visiting your local caravan accessory or camping shop.
• To prevent freezing of waste tanks or toilets, use water system (or car) antifreeze.
• It’s not advisable to use gas heaters overnight due to dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, so use electric fan heaters that can be thermostatically controlled or better still, invest in some cold weather sleeping bags and extra blankets to cut down on heating costs.
• If possible, pitch your caravan so that the fridge and other vents are not facing into prevailing winds.
• If it should snow, make sure you clear any snow drifts away from caravan vents and shake the snow off the mains cable so it doesn’t get buried too deep.
• Snow chains are always handy to have in the car, should you get stuck in the snow. Just make sure you know how to fit them before setting off on your holiday and remove them as soon as the snow clears.
• If you’re looking to buy a new caravan for use over the winter, look for one that has an insulation grade of two or three. All models from 1999 should have an insulation grade, so ask your local caravan dealer.
• If you’re planning on caravanning a lot over the winter and are able to invest in a new tow car, look for a four wheel drive with ABS and traction control.

With the long winters we’ve been experiencing and the wet summers, make the most of your caravan all year round and book a winter break. You’ll be surprised how busy some campsites are over Christmas and New Year, so always plan ahead and ring to book your pitch, making sure they’re not closed over winter.

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