Top 8 Ways to Heat & Stay Warm in a Camper Van

Staying warm at this time of the year is more important than some may think. Keeping warm when on the road or sleeping in a camper van, vehicle or caravan is a tricky business but, with good timing as well as a little preparation and forward thinking the best route to keeping warm without finding out the hard way what its like to be cold or even get the slow onset of hypothermia is a personal discovery all in itself.

Simply by blocking the cab off, insulating you van, adding curtains/ blinds, draft excludes/ cushions around doors, even put up a small pop up tent inside the van will keep you warm but, below are our top 8 ways to keep warm in your van this winter.

1. Defensive Parking;
Park facing the sun during the day and/or with glazed areas south facing, avoid trees & shady areas, look for hard surfaces which hold heat such as tarmac & car parks and remember driving to your destination with the heating on to maintain some heat in the van for the first night…

2. Pay for Camping
When the time comes for it camping/ parking on registered camp sites proves beneficial in the long run. Washing clothes as well as the option of an electric hook up is often provided or can be paid for as additional cost to the pitch, if so an electric oil filled radiator plugged into the campsites electric is by far and away the best way to keep your van and inhabitants warm but, what about those who are wild camping or staying off the grid.

3. Cosy Blankets & Warm Clothes
Wrapping up warm during the day and into the evening and night time is often easier said than done but with modern clothing and just being inside your van can ensure that you are not exposed to the coldest of temperatures. Keeping your torso warm is the most imperative part of the body followed by covering ones head with a woolly hat… however if you are cold and climbing into a cold van then warm clothing is not always enough.

4. Hot Water Bottles & Turning on the Gas Stove
Most campervan and even dayvans are or have been equipped with a gas cooker or stove, although the carbon dioxide emitted by the stove could potentially require a window to be open or at least the van vented the warmth which can be put into the van simply by burning cooking gas should be enough to take the chill out of the air, however this is not sufficient as a longer term or throughout the night heating source. Also any fire risks should be assessed should van occupants fall asleep with the cooker on. Whilst the cooker is burning fuel it is wise to boil some water and start to fill some hot water bottles which can then be placed in the bed or in seating areas so as to provide some additional heat to occupants. Multiple small hot water bottles such as these sold online and when used with a hot water bottle cover are rumoured to be the best.

5. Cuddling the Dog and/ or Others
Yep, the dog is a source of heat for many. Thats why so many campervan dwellers have them. These furry friends are warm and stay warm during the night and being a pack animal dogs are akin to cuddling up at night to share body heat as well as protection from the elements and any marauders who may be lurking about. If you dont have a dog but are lucky enough to have a partner in life then a second option is often choosing to cuddle these individuals.

6. Diesel Heaters & Log Burners
Although retrofitting fuel or fossil powered heating sources to vans is all the rage these days the idea and cost of running these heating sources means that they really are for those with deep pockets or those who do live in a van all year round or go cold places. Nay even those who take their camper vans skiing and snowboarding often choose these type of heat sources as they may need to dry clothes and boots out for snow conditions as well as the need for heat in these unforgiving environments. There are Pros and Cons for both sources be it a internal or externally mounted diesel heater or a log burning wood stove… these two options should be approached with caution when being fitted by amateurs too. Also note that diesel heaters burn battery too and so can cause issues when used long term/ overnight if recharging is a problem.

7 .Candles & Terracotta Pots
A few tea lights can be enough to boil some water or cook a tin of beans. But you can also concentrate heat by mounting a plant pot above them and turn these little candles into a directional, small “room heater”. You can buy one online if thats your kind of thing… They are discouraged by the UK fire services as the pots may shatter… similar metal products are available.

8. Electric Blankets & Heated Clothing
There are indeed some products such as electric blankets and heated clothing which can be powered by batteries and smaller power outlets such as 12v systems and 24v systems too. Even inverters can run an electric blankets… 12v gloves, vests and all kinds of small clothing items with heater cores are available.