Although our rental vans aren’t available during the cold season, many people love winter road trips! And we understand: the snow-covered landscapes are enchanting and really make you want to hit the road… What’s more, if you practice a seasonal sport, you can take the opportunity to do so all over the country.
However, we strongly advise you not to set sail without being prepared and equipped, as a night below 0°C can be difficult to bear. Here are our recommendations for surviving your winter road trips.
1) Warm clothing
Winter is all about layers. If you don’t have heating in your van, you might be tempted to keep your coat on all night, but we don’t recommend it. In fact, it could have the opposite effect, as the humidity you accumulate during the day will make you shiver all night long.
You need to opt for merino wool combinations (forget those worn for skiing during the day, or they’ll cause the same problem!), as well as multiple layers. Wool sweaters, wadded cottons, jogging pants – don’t skimp on quality, because the quality of your sleep will depend on it!
During the day or when you’re driving, seize the opportunity to dry your damp clothes in the front of your vehicle, near the air vents. The sun and the heating of your van will go a long way in drying all your things!
Baroudeur tip: Put a plastic bin at the entrance to your van. You’ll be able to put your soaked boots or shoes in it, and you’ll avoid getting water everywhere. Also try hanging your coat on the front of the car. You’ll avoid getting snow on your bed. The last thing you want is a cold, wet bed!
2) Insulation
If you have the opportunity to insulate your van before converting it, DO IT! Even if you’re not initially planning a winter trip, some parts of Canada are quite cold in summer. You’ll be glad to have a minimum of insulation. So many different options are available! Whether it’s insulating panels, insulating foam, wool, hemp or even cork, you’re sure to find an option that works for you!
Si tu ne peux vraiment pas l’isoler au complet ou si tu veux garder tes fenêtres dégagées pour voir les paysages, procure-toi (ou fais-le toi-même si tu as ce talent) des rideaux isolants et épais ! Ceux-ci couperont les infiltrations d’air froid qui pourraient entrer par les fenêtres. D’ailleurs, évite d’ouvrir tes rideaux sans raison lorsque la nuit tombe. Chaque ouverture, si petite soit-elle, laisse entrer de l’air froid dans ta van et tu veux absolument éviter ces courants d’air froid. Beaucoup de personnes utilisent également des morceaux de panneaux isolants (ceux avec un côté en aluminium) qu’ils coupent selon la forme des fenêtres afin d’avoir plus d’isolation à ces endroits.
By combining the idea of panels with thick curtains, you’ll definitely have a better chance of staying warm in your van this winter. But don’t forget that humidity is likely to be your worst enemy, so take note with the next point.
3) Heating and ventilation
As mentioned above, humidity is our worst enemy during the cold seasons or even when traveling near the sea (in the Maritimes as much as in Western Canada). As soon as our clothes or sleeping bags are slightly damp, the cold seems to spread more quickly, and can even cause unpleasant odours to appear. Good air circulation and heating will help you avoid this problem, believe us!
For ventilation, if you can install a fan like a Maxxfan (one that can pull AND push air ideally) on an auxiliary battery before winter, that would really be a big plus for your road trips. You don’t want to have to open the front door windows, especially if there’s an unexpected storm! So if you have a fan, you’ll always have air circulation in your van. If this isn’t an option for you, take advantage of warmer or snow-free days to slightly open a window at the front and rear, on opposite sides, to create a little air circulation. This will help dry out all your fabrics.
To heat your van, three options are available to you;
First of all, there’s electric heating. However, you need to be able to plug into a large electrical source to use it, because even if you have an auxiliary battery, it won’t be powerful enough to heat you all night. It’s efficient, but not practical if you don’t have the option of plugging directly into the power grid (e.g., outside the house).
There are also propane heaters, as Mr. Heater is really the most powerful yet totally independent of the car, and you can easily move it to wherever you need it. There exist, however, some disadvantages. For a start, you mustn’t leave it open all night. Secondly, you absolutely must air out your van at all times, as you could be poisoned by the gas fumes. If you opt for this heating method, we (very) strongly recommend that you get yourself a carbon monoxide detector. It could literally save your life, and it’s so inexpensive that it would be ridiculous not to! We insist on it 😉
The final option is a Webasto or Espar diesel heater. In general, this is the most effective option. No stress! You’ll be able to sleep in your van all winter long without getting cold, even if you’re very cold! Its disadvantages: it absolutely requires installation by a professional and certified person, you need an auxiliary battery if you want to be able to use it without your car engine running incessantly (hello planet!), and it’s quite expensive. We also advise you to get a carbon monoxide detector, because as with propane heating, the fumes can be toxic if a leak occurs or if the device isn’t installed properly (hence the importance of having it installed by pros)! If your plan is to sleep only 2-3 nights, this may not be the best heating source for you. However, if your plan is to spend the winter in your van, we strongly advise you to consider this type of heating. You’ll thank us on your first night at -15°C outside. 😉
4) Winter equipment
Some winter equipment isn’t mandatory if you plan to go out for only 2 or 3 days in accessible places and with good weather. However, if you’re thinking of spending the cold season in your van, we recommend these few pieces of equipment that are sure to come in handy this winter!
Firstly, we advise you to choose a good cold-resistant sleeping bag that will keep you warm, even at -25°C. You’ll need to aim for a temperature rating of between -18°C and -29°C. You could also buy a warming blanket. It’s not always the most effective, but any source of heat is welcome when it’s cold!
Then a shovel and a kit of Traction Aid) should be added to your travel essentials! Believe us, if your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, these will really help, especially if you’re traveling alone. You can dig into the front of your wheels to slide in the traction boards, and in no time at all, you should be able to get out of the place where you got stuck.
L’ajout d’un auvent sur ta van pourrait t’éviter de faire entrer la neige dans ton véhicule lorsqu’il vente. Une bâche sur le coffre te protégera également des intempéries lorsque tu voudras faire à manger à l’extérieur, mais assure-toi de fréquemment les déblayer! Les auvents de van et les toiles suspendues ne peuvent pas accumuler beaucoup de poids, donc ils pourraient se casser à la longue.
Speaking of clearing snow, a snow broom is VERY useful. Not only for clearing snow from your car, but also from your awning and solar panels, if you have any.
Don’t forget it at home like Gab! 😉
5) Where to park in winter
Since most campsites are closed or only open to residents, and most rest stops are closed in winter, we have to change our travel habits slightly.
Some campsites with year-round residents may make exceptions if you can be self-sufficient with your van. They won’t usually have accessible showers, dump stations or water, but if you’re thinking of staying in the same area for a while, try calling a few campsites to see if they might be able to accommodate you.
Of course, the truck stops and Wal-Mart parking lots are open and cleared of snow, but it’s not always ideal because of the noise and light. We often keep these spaces as Plan C, or even D, when we REALLY can’t find another parking space.
Parking lots for snowmobile or cross-country ski trails are generally good options, as they are large and cleared of snow. A good deal if you don’t want to get stuck in a storm! The biggest advantage of these places is that they’re usually dimly lit, so you can sleep discreetly in the dark.
As we often say, in winter, ¾ of the things you bring on a road trip are to keep out the cold, so you’ll definitely feel overloaded compared to your summer road trips. It’s only natural! You’d rather have more than less…
Maintenant que tu es presque prêt.e pour ton road trip d’hiver, il ne te manque plus que TON kit de conversion du Baroudeur, que tu peux découvrir juste ici.
