Touring during the summer months is fantastic, but the onset of winter doesn’t need to mean that you have to stop your travels. With a bit of forward planning, you can enjoy the cooler weather, quieter sites and less hectic attractions – it’s a great time of year to travel.
Some of us choose to put our motorhome into storage, of course, leaving it to hibernate until spring. Whatever you choose to do, there are some products that can help you get the most from the winter season, and keep your motorhome protected (and yourself warm) while you do.
It’s currently Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event, and there are a number of items on sale that can help make your winter motorhoming more comfortable. Here, I’ve revealed five I think you should take a look at.
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Motorhome & Caravan Cleaner was £10.95 now £9.26 (save 15%)
Whether you’re touring all year or laying your motorhome up for the winter, you’ll want to keep it clean and free of damaging salt and road grit that can build up during bad weather. A good motorhome cleaner is a must, and this concentrated product from Leisuretime looks very promising.
It’s a combined shampoo, wash, wash and bug-remover, and it will make up to 25 litres of cleaner – that should keep you going for a few months. It’s biodegradable and UK-made, and its carnauba wax formula promises a decent shine. I’ve also checked and it’s the lowest price on Amazon for at least a year, which I think it makes it an even better bargain. Don’t miss our guide to cleaning a motorhome either, to ensure your ‘van is looking its best.
Rain-X Concentrated Screenwash with Rain Repellent was £12.95 now £11 (save 15%)
Poor weather means that during the winter it’s crucial to keep your windscreen clear, so I’m very tempted to buy this screenwash, which features a specific rain repellent.
Rain-X is an American brand that specialises in rain-repellent products, so there’s a good name behind this screenwash. It promises to effectively remove grime and road film, and its hydrophobic technology should help clear water more efficiently, leaving you able to see the road ahead in better detail.
Although it’s ideal for winter use (it can be used in temperatures down the -15C), it’s suitable for all seasons, so you could start using it now, ready for when the wet, windy weather really ramps up.
I’ve got one of these Ring Ultra battery jump starters, and it’s excellent – it’s saved my journey on numerous occasions, particularly during the winter months when vehicle batteries are more likely to let you down. It’s quick to charge and small enough to keep in your ‘van’s glove compartment ready for when you need it – it can jump-start diesel engines up to 2.8 litres (and petrol engines up to 6 litres).
It also has a built-in tyre inflator and can double up as a power pack for recharging your gadgets; it even has an LED light to help illuminate proceedings if it’s dark.
Dirt Trapper door mat was £13.99 now £10.63 (save 24%)
If you enjoy touring in the winter you’ll know all about the trials of keeping the interior of your ‘van clean when it’s wet and muddy outside – it’s made even worse if (like me) you’re motorhoming with a dog. So I’m going to invest in one of these handy mats – install it by your ‘van’s door and it should help trap dirt and muck before it can be carried in by muddy feet or paws. It’s available in a variety of sizes and colours, so you can choose the one that suits you best; it would also be ideal at the entrance door to an awning. It’s washable, too.
Silentnight Comfort Control Heated Throw Blanket was £47.99 now £35.99 (save 25%)
It’s much more energy and cost efficient to heat yourself rather than the whole of your ‘van during colder weather, and a great way to do so is by using a heated blanket. I really like the look of this one from respected brand Silentnight: it measures in at 120 x 160cm, so it’s a good size, and it has nine heat settings. Heatsafe overheat protection is ideal for added peace of mind, and the blanket only uses 90W of power, meaning that you can easily use it on campsite electric hook-up. When you get back home, it’s machine washable at 40C.
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