Upon arrival

Camping in winter: the essential accessories for your caravan

Flickr CC - Mathieu Hubert
Flickr CC - Mathieu Hubert

 

Those who love snowy slopes and take their caravans into the mountains know that they need some special accessories. For the others, winter is here too... These few accessories will help you to better face the cold.

Winter tyres

As soon as the temperature drops below 7°C, winter tyres provide much more safety than traditional tyres. The laminated and more heavily treaded structure of winter tyres, combined with soft compounds that work over a wide temperature range, provides much better grip in difficult conditions (mud, snow, etc.) and reduces the risk of aquaplaning. Whatever your vehicle (front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive), snow tyres should always be fitted on all four wheels, to guarantee greater driving safety, both when braking and manoeuvring. These tyres must have the same load index characteristics as summer tyres (the maximum speed index may be reduced, simply take this into account when driving). Note also that it is much more practical to have specific rims for each set of tyres, as this avoids the costs of mounting, dismounting and balancing.

Composite chains

They are special equipment allowing to ride and to find a good grip on the snow (up to 40 km/h max), halfway between "socks" and classic chains. Their quick and easy assembly is a serious advantage. Like the other systems, these composite chains are mounted on the car's drive wheels. They are available for almost all tyre sizes.

Lock defroster

If not for the car, where your central locking system will certainly not jam, this de-icer (50 ml can) could well be useful for the lock on the caravan entrance door or the gas box.

Snow shovel

The repeated snowy episodes are proving those who are equipped with them right. For caravanning enthusiasts, of course, the snow shovel remains an indispensable accessory. It is best to use a telescopic shovel to store it more easily.

Wide squeegee

With the fashion for SUVs and MPVs, panoramic windscreens are now commonplace. You might as well adapt the accessory you use to scrape it. A wide scraper should do the trick.

PVC floor mats

These mats are the best friends of the interior carpets of your tractor. Anti-slip, they protect the car from all winter dirt (snow, salt marks, mud...).

Propane gas

Caravanning in winter, especially in the mountains, requires at least two large bottles of gas (this corresponds to a "standard" consumption in a week of caravanning). It is essential to use propane, as butane freezes at 0°C.

Gas level tester

It is simply positioned against the cylinder to check the filling level. The height of the liquid gas is measured by means of ultrasound. A green light shines when gas is detected, a red light lights up if it is empty. It is suitable for all cylinders, steel or aluminium, with a diameter ranging from 20 to 35 cm. Powered by a 9V battery, it can also be used as a torch.

Sliding tray

Originally designed to fit the hold of a motor home, this Fiamma tray can just as easily find a place in a caravan with a side hatch giving access to the large storage area under the front transverse bed, or even, of course, a large rear door as is sometimes the case on versions with a rear children's room. The tray, made of ABS, holds the skis so that the snow residue can melt without dirtying the caravan floor.

Snow lock awning

For winter sports, the snow lock is ideal for a caravan. It provides a barrier against the cold when the caravan's entrance door is open, allowing you to remove your shoes or store your equipment.

Protective cover

For winter storage, this cover (95% non-woven polyester, 5% polyethylene) keeps your caravan clean. The breathable fabrics allow for good ventilation of the body and there is zip access on the right side and at the entrance door. The hems are elasticated. Five sizes are available, for caravans between 3.70 and 4.30 m, 4.30 and 5.20 m, 5.20 and 5.80 m, 5.80 and 6.40 m, 6.40 and 7.00 m.

 

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