Caravanning In Winter - How To Stay Warm

Living in our caravan full-time means dealing with all weather conditions. Unfortunately, we can’t always follow the sun! As we have discovered, keeping the van warm can be a bit of a challenge, especially in the middle of winter.

Caravans are nowhere near as well insulated as houses, so the cold seeps in. So, if you are caravanning in winter, here are a few tips on how to stay warm.

Install A Heater

Table of Contents

If you plan on doing any off-grid caravanning in winter you will definitely need a heater that you can run without 240 volts. This is the one mod that we didn’t make to our Urban Caravan and we are kicking ourselves we didn’t.

However, Brenden and Mel (former owners of All Around Oz) did and here is what they have to say about installing a heater.

When Brenden and Mel were building their caravan they were offered the option of installing a gas heater. And they are so glad they did.

Theirs is a Truma Vario, and they love it. It is very quiet, easy to use, and warms the van up in minutes. The thermostat allows you to set the temperature wherever you want it.

At night time they set it at about 10`. Running it all night like this uses hardly any gas. They have checked how much gas it uses with our Gas Bottle Monitor and it uses around 6% of the bottle for a night.

Read our Complete Guide to the Best Gas Heaters here

Another alternative is to install a diesel heater. These can be purchased quite cheaply and if you are a bit of a handyman, or woman, then they are relatively easy to install.

Read our Complete Guide to the Best Diesel Heaters here

TIP: If you have access to 240v power or an inverter in your van, a small fan heater is excellent for instant heat or when you shower in the morning.

When Kev and I built our van we didn’t have a heater installed as our plan was to always chase the sun. However, when you are on the road full-time or doing a big lap of Australia plans can and often do change.

For example, we travelled in Victoria and South Australia in April and May and found the nights and mornings very chilly. A heater would have enabled us to camp off-grid instead of relying on Caravan parks to run our reverse cycle air conditioner.

I’d highly recommend either including a gas or diesel heater in your caravan build, or installing one if you already have a caravan.

Keep the Floor Warm

Caravan floors get very cold. Lots of cold air circulates underneath a van, and the floors are not very thick. We found that adding some carpet floor mats greatly affects how warm our floor is.

One runs in front of the kitchen. You could also add mats on either side of your bed. We got ours from Bunnings for around $15.00.

TIP: Don’t use rubber-backed mats, as these have been known to leave marks on vinyl floors.

*^{Some carpet mats will help keep your van warmer.}*

Caravanning In Winter – Bedding

The key to staying warm at night is having good-quality bedding. We have an excellent feather quilt that is very warm. If it’s really cold, we add a second doona that is lighter in weight (we swap them around in summer). We also have a good mattress topper, which helps keep the mattress warmer.

When it is really cold, we use a donna, throw rug and quilt cover. We also use our reverse cycle air conditioner when we have 240 volts. As I generally feel the cold more than Kev, I also have a throw rug to add to my side.

caravan mattress topper — *^{We like to use a throw rug, a doona and quilt cover in winter.}*

Going To Bed Warm

When it comes time to go to bed, don’t leave it until you start getting cold. If you have been sitting around the campfire and you are nice and warm, that is the best time to jump into bed.

If you are camping off-grid, having a hot water bottle to pop into bed with you is another great way to start warm. Wearing warm clothes to bed, such as flannel P.J.’s or tracksuit pants and a top, will keep the chill out too.

Keeping The Condensation At Bay

Condensation in a van is a fact of life in winter. Condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces such as your van walls. It releases some of this moisture onto the walls as water droplets.

Running your heater overnight will help. If you can’t run your heater overnight, leaving a roof vent or window cracked open will help. We also keep a couple of moisture absorbers in the van over winter. You can pick them up for just a few dollars from places like The Reject Shop or Bunnings.

TIP: If you are camped somewhere where the days are lovely and warm, open your van up and let it air out thoroughly. This will help prevent mould from forming anywhere inside.

Close Your Van Up

If it has been a sunny day and your van’s windows and hatches have been open, you will want to close it as soon as you feel it is cooling down. Close your windows, blinds, and roof hatches.

If you happen to have curtains, pull those across, too. You will be surprised how long the warmth will stay in your van when you do this.

Inside Urban Caravan XTerrain Review — *^{Close your caravan blinds and windows as soon as it starts to cool down.}*

We have been surprised by how easy it is to stay warm caravanning in winter. We have experienced some pretty cold nights in the last few months but have stayed warm.

So don’t let the thought of cold weather put you off caravanning in winter!

PIN THIS:

About
Latest Posts

Follow me

Annette

Owner at All Around Oz

Hi, I’m Annette Jones, the voice behind All Around Oz!

With years of experience travelling Australia in a caravan, I’m passionate about helping others embark on their own unforgettable adventures. From off-grid camping tips to expert advice on planning the ultimate big lap of Australia, I share stories, practical hacks, and inspiration to make your journey stress-free and exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, join me as I explore the beauty of Australia, one road at a time!

Follow me