Motorhomes and campervans in winter: travelling out of season without nasty surprises

Empty roads, quiet aires, snowy landscapes: winter has a lot going for it when you travel by motorhome or campervan. It also calls for more preparation. The cold attacks your water, gas and batteries, many places close, and the mountains have rules of their own. Here is what you need to know before you go.

Protect your water from freezing

This is the first risk: a pipe or water heater that freezes can crack.

• While driving and at your stop, keep the heating on: it also protects any tanks inside the living area.
• External tanks (often the grey water tank) freeze first. Leave the valve open over a bucket, or add a little suitable antifreeze if your vehicle allows it.
• If you leave the vehicle without heating, drain everything: fresh water tank, water heater and pipes. Some water heaters drain automatically when there is a risk of frost; check the manual for yours.
• Fill up with water and empty your tanks during the day, at the mildest time. Our guide to emptying a motorhome's waste water explains how.

Be aware: in winter, some service points turn the water off to stop it freezing. It is best not to leave it until the last minute.

Gas: propane rather than butane

Heating and fridges often run on gas. However, butane stops vaporising at around 0 °C: the bottle seems full, but nothing comes out. In cold weather, use propane, which works at much lower temperatures. Take a spare bottle with you: the heating uses far more than in summer.

Battery and electricity

The cold reduces battery capacity, while long nights increase consumption (lighting, heating fan). Make a regular habit of choosing a stop with electricity, at a campsite or a well-equipped aire, to recharge fully.

Compulsory equipment in the mountains

In mountain municipalities designated by prefectoral order (arrêté préfectoral), from 1 November to 31 March, vehicles must be fitted with winter tyres (or all-season tyres marked with the mountain symbol) or carry snow chains or snow socks. Signs mark the start and end of the areas concerned. The rule also applies to motorhomes and campervans: find out about the départements you will drive through, and about the rules specific to vehicles over 3.5 t, before you leave.

In the mountains, the size of your vehicle matters twice as much: narrow roads, hairpin bends and limited car parks at ski resorts. Re-read our guide on motorhome height, length and weight.

Overnight stops that are open out of season

This is the most underestimated constraint: many campsites close between autumn and spring, and some aires turn off their services. Before you go:

• check the opening dates of each overnight stop;
• plan a fallback option near each stage;
• shorten your stages: night falls early, and driving on icy roads in the dark is no fun.

For the different overnight options, read where to sleep in a motorhome or campervan in France.

The winter checklist

• Propane and a spare bottle.
• Winter tyres or chains, ice scraper, snow brush, folding shovel.
• Levelling blocks and traction mats, also useful in snow.
• Insulating screens for the windscreen and windows.
• Antifreeze suitable for the water system, if your vehicle allows it.

Plan your route with Pakvia

Every evening, Pakvia picks an official overnight stop suited to the size of your vehicle and shows what is known about it: free or paid, water, electricity, waste disposal. In winter, keep checking that each place is open: every day can still be changed if a stop is closed. Pakvia is free during its launch: plan your winter trip.