Where to go

An immediate problem is that many sites close for winter. Many people using caravans all year round are doing it because their hobby takes them around the UK at weekends - motor racing, for example, or special interest rallies - in which case there'll be pitches provided.

But if you're just going for a weekend away, maybe fishing or birdwatching, you'll need to find an open site or a place where you can park overnight legally. Consult the Caravan Club and Camping and Caravan Club websites or guidebooks to find sites that are open - it seems to be mostly sites inland, in less touristy areas, that shut down.

Pick the right site

Another point to note is that seasoned winter touring fans recommend looking for sites with hard-standing pitches, particularly if it's likely to snow. If it does get really cold watch out for the hoses on "super" pitches as they can freeze, then split. Inspect them regularly, insulate if necessary and disconnect them if necessary.

Keep an eye on your fresh water levels as you could be left dry if the pipes freeze on a site. A neat trick to protect your water supply if that freezes is to put a tennis ball in the top. This leaves a hole through the ice cover so that you can get water out. Freezing can also affect toilets, so use fluids with the widest possible operating temperatures.

Parking up

As to legal parking (excluding commercial sites) the law seems to be a very grey area but do check you insurance documents - many policies exclude theft of, loss of or damage to your caravan if it's left in a communal parking area or on public roads or highways (which would include a layby).

Inside your 'van

Heating is important, of course. Modern wet heating systems take a relatively long time to warm up the whole caravan but the heat is more evenly spread. Conversely conventional blown-air systems will have hot spots which warm up quickly, but heat will be patchier across the while 'van.

Perhaps the best compromise is a portable heater to provide instant warmth when you need while a wet heating system warms up. If the portable heater is powered by gas, make sure it's serviced and checked regularly.

Electric blankets are a great source of localised heat but you'll need to watch battery charge levels.

Improve insulation

Modern caravans have Grade 3 insulation which is tested in a cold chamber at -15C. The caravan heating is then given four hours to reach an internal temperature of 20C. That ought to be enough for any UK winter weekend!

Older caravans will need insulation added inside the walls and roof, which may not be worthwhile. Cladding them on the inside will help although you'll lose head height and internal space. You may not be able to clad all of the walls either, leading to cold spots.

It is worth insulating the floor though. Inch thick foam fire-retardant sheets can quite easily be stuck on to the majority of a caravan's floor from the underneath and it's easy to cut around structural components and hoses. This helps to keep the air at foot level to stay warmer - one of the big complaints about caravanning in cold weather.

Energy use

Insulating will help you to be more energy efficient as well, something that you'll sorely need as energy consumption will soar in the winter months. As well as having the lights and heating on longer, you'll be brewing more hot drinks and maybe even having more hot showers to stay warm.

Solar panels will help more than many people think. Despite the name 'solar' they are operated by light, not necessarily direct sunlight, so even on overcast days you'll get something out of them. They won't be as efficient as in the summer, of course, but they'll still help keep batteries topped up. It's worth getting panels that can be positioned easily to get the most of what light you have.

Make sure gas bottles are as full as possible and keep a close eye on them, particularly if you have an automatic switchover valve. It's possible for both bottles to empty without you being aware of it if you don't check the valve daily at least.

Supplies

Extra emergency stocks of tinned food would be wise, and perhaps a spare camping stove too. Warm clothes, shovels, hats and gloves will be a godsend if you get snowed in too.

Carpet off-cuts are great for getting out of muddy pitches and snow chains should be considered too. But clip-on snow chains or similar devices are recommended as it is illegal to use anything that might damage the road surface - they can only be used on roads that are completely snow-covered.

Well prepared and well equipped, any caravan can take the worst of the weather in the UK and there's a perverse pleasure in refusing to stay in and hunker down. Wherever you go take care and take twice as many towel as usual too!

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