Are Burstner motorhomes winterised as standard?

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Robster100

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I guess this is a bit late in the day to ask the question, but am I likely to be able to use my Burstner in winter?

I have a 2016 Ixeo Time Sovereign 745, the broker said it could be used in winter but now I am wondering if he was just making that up?

Thoughts please, or facts if there are any out there!
 
Winterised means different things to different people. Some say that it isn't properly winterised unless it has double floor?
The acid test is, can your motorhome function, with you in it, in low(or very low temperatures) .

Important thing to me is water before and after you use it.
If you are staying in the MH when it is sub zero, then you will have the heating on - so will any water, in tanks and pipes, be subject to freezing. Our Burstner has a 'fresh' water tank in the habitation area so shouldnt freeze. Waste water is in an insulated underslung tank. Most of the water pipes are onboard so shouldnt freeze. Some grey water pipes are under the van but if working properly should drain empty into the tank.

Next think about lpg. Propane will gasify at lower temps than butane therefore function better in the winter.

Heating should be controllable to maintain a sufficient temp at night to stop things freezing up but not too warm to stop you sleeping.
We have never used ours at anything below - 5°, but were quite comfortable at that temp.

Good Luck,

Barry
 
Hi Barry

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply.

It kind of matches what I thought.

Certainly my clean water tank is sitting largely under my half dinette seat, within inches of the Turma heater, so I don't expect any issues there! :)

Grey water was the are I was worried a little about, mine is in an underslung grey tank, there is no indication it is insulated but I would hope so!

I am running on red Calor bottle already, so gas should not be a problem.

I had been seeing comments about noble floor and grey water heaters, which is what prompted me to ask the question!

Now all I have to do is persuade the wife to go out in the van in winter!!!!!!
 
Robster100 said:
Grey water was the are I was worried a little about, mine is in an underslung grey tank, there is no indication it is insulated but I would hope so!
Click to expand...
People often use a bucket in the winter so the grey water goes straight into that and does not stay in the tank where it might freeze. Some vans have tank heaters too (mine does). Mine is a British van and the winterisation is fairly nominal I think. I do use it all year round but I strongly suspect that a few days below zero would show it to be sadly lacking. Yours should be far better.
 
g3cwi said:
People often use a bucket in the winter so the grey water goes straight into that and does not stay in the tank where it might freeze. Some vans have tank heaters too (mine does). Mine is a British van and the winterisation is fairly nominal I think. I do use it all year round but I strongly suspect that a few days below zero would show it to be sadly lacking. Yours should be far better.
Click to expand...

Actually as an ex-caravaner and first time motorhomes, literally only managed my first trip a couple of weeks ago after picking up van a week before lockdown!

I have left room in the motorhome for my old grey water caontainer, which I used very successfully on my first trip out, using this in cold weather and running straight through grey tank does sound like the best solution! Thanks.

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g3cwi said:
People often use a bucket in the winter so the grey water goes straight into that and does not stay in the tank where it might freeze. Some vans have tank heaters too (mine does). Mine is a British van and the winterisation is fairly nominal I think. I do use it all year round but I strongly suspect that a few days below zero would show it to be sadly lacking. Yours should be far better.
Click to expand...
Do you end up with a bucket sized ice block?
Phil
 
we did 6 days with nights -12 last christmas in a burstner delphin it was ok but not as warm as i had hoped cab was cold of a night despite lots of blankets to cut the drafts
 
I suspect if people can sleep in tents on the top of Everest you can stay in your van in the winter.

Whether you will enjoy it or find it very comfortable is another matter.

We had a Autotrail Tracker and now an PVC IH. Both would have cold floors and cab area in the winter.

We never used it in the winter as for me it was just not comfortable.
 
I have a Burstner and have stayed in it in freezing cold weather on a camp site...... but used the gas heating.... The electric hook up heating is RUBBISH. :(
 
movan said:
but used the gas heating.... The electric hook up heating is RUBBISH
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Interesting observation. I must compare them in my van sometime. I'm usually on a hook-up so electricity. It's "marginal" in very cold weather.
 
I HAVE A BURSTNER 👍
No idea on using in the winter as not tried it yet. From my limited knowledge, there are burstners and burstners. Mine has alko chassis with double floor and alde wet central heating, others are based on a standard fiat or other chassis. So you may need to check what you have. 👍
Ref movans comment on the electric heating, most have a 2kw heater as max, gas should be hotter, unsure on KW rating.
 
g3cwi said:
Interesting observation. I must compare them in my van sometime. I'm usually on a hook-up so electricity. It's "marginal" in very cold weather.
Click to expand...

If you have a Truma - they run at about 1/2 the power on electric as they do on gas.

Most people heat the van on gas and then just maintain the temperature on electric (y)
 
Tonka has got the nearest to answering the OP question, but not completely.

The rest of the posts hardly mention Burstner.

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nicholsong said:
Tonka has got the nearest to answering the OP question, but not completely.

The rest of the posts hardly mention Burstner.
Click to expand...

Some posts are just written just to keep the OP at the top of the list.

Tonka posted 10 hours after the OP posted

Do you really think he would have seen it on page 2 or 3 or may 4 ?

Please try to be helpful to the OP - do you really consider your post is helpful to him or any other future OP ?
 
Thanks for all the responses.

it gives me a little more confidence to experiment! 😁

FYI, my van is on Fiat chassis and Trina, boy do I miss the Alde wet system from my caravan!
 
Robster100 said:
I guess this is a bit late in the day to ask the question, but am I likely to be able to use my Burstner in winter?

I have a 2016 Ixeo Time Sovereign 745, the broker said it could be used in winter but now I am wondering if he was just making that up?

Thoughts please, or facts if there are any out there!
Click to expand...
Hymer give a description of <Broken link removed>

Hymer say:

Manufacturers use the two terms to refer to grades II and III as defined in the DIN standards EN 1645-1 for caravans and EN 1646-1 for motorhomes, for which there is a precisely prescribed test procedure with four phases:

So you just need to find out which EN number standard your Burster meets

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Last edited:
I too am a Burstner owner and for us having a fully winterised van was a priority as we wish to use it to go snowboarding in the winter months. Our model has a double floor, with both tanks and heating ducts being contained within this to prevent any freezing occurring.
If your grey tank is underslung, you should be able to see fairly easily if there is any insulation by both looking and feeling the tank. If there isn't and you wish to use the van (without the bucket!) In sub zero conditions then you still have options... You can add an anti freeze solution to the grey tank, have a look in the Reimo catalogue for more information on this. You can also install heating pads and insulation on and around the tank itself. If you choose this route be aware that they are fairly power hungry and best used when on hookup.
If I may, to finish, go back to your caravanning comment. If the waste water container you mentioned is a waste-master or something similar, then it isn't generally recommended. The reason people talk about a bucket is that if it freezes, you can still empty your grey, bucket shaped ice cube out of the bucket. If your grey water freezes inside your waste master, it's not coming out until it defrosts!
 
2019 Burstner Iexo 736 A class. Last winter in France low as -12c. Fresh water tank has warm air duct and is located under near side settee fine, grey water tank not insulated or heated keep drain tap open used bucket fine. Grey drain outlet quite low to floor use shallow wide bucket, 10 litre plastic paint one ideal.
re heating Truma on electric only 2 kw, so don’t expect too much, on gas heats van fine but a bit heavy on gas, but it’s a big van, gas only close on 12 litres for three days heating set at 19c. Temp -12 c overnight didn’t rise above 0c during day van parked up no use of engine or hook up. When parking up in cold weather I always put heater on recirculated air settling before turning engine off, if your are facing into the wind it’s surprising the cold that leaks in through the ducts. Don’t forget to empty the bucket regular. If unable to use bucket I put some antifreeze in waste tank .
 
We ski two months a year, all off hook. Now have a Rapido, but spent three winters in a previous van -
Burstner Nexxo 728G. Took a lot of gas to keep it warm, but other than that, fine. (For reference about 2x 11kg Gaslow a week). As above, drain into a bucket. Hint of the day - don't kick the bucket to remove the ice block with boots on. It cracks. Ask me how I know this!! Much of the time we didn't fill the fresh water tank - we used jerry cans instead. Less convenient, but removes the risk of the water system freezing. In any case, much of the time you can't fill with a hose conveniently, taps a generally frozen.
 
We regularly use ours in the alps. Propane plus electric fan heater if on hook up. Silver Screens extra length insulated cab cover. Make sure the frost protection valve stays closed. Bucket under open grey water tank. Snow chains and winter tyres and you're good to go.
 
movan said:
The electric hook up heating is RUBBISH. :(
Click to expand...

Buy one these instead. Just remember to check what power the EHU is ----- 6 amp - 1 KW /16 amp - 2 KW

You'll be toasty.

<Broken link removed>

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We had a Burstner A Class 2008 for nearly 10 year and used to visit the Alps every year staying on camp sites and Aires - No double floor. Your Burstner will be fine in the winter - don't worry - no problems in the UK - if going anywehere at higher latitude or altitude then just do a bit more research on here to help you manage better in the van - but it will be OK. Using the van in the winter is no problem and enjoyable - enjoy your travels when things allow.
 
Story against myself.

Before I bought I understood all Niesmann&Bischoff were winterised. When I found my Arto 69GL9"003) I did not check it had a double floor, which I thought it had to have for the tanks to be heated.

I was a bit disappointed when I realised it has not got a double floor. I later discovered that the tanks are boxed-in in heated areas, so it is after all winterised.

Other makes and models might have the same set-up, even if not double floored.

We have not tried it for skiing yet but at least I have the confidence it could do it.

Geoff
 
nicholsong said:
Story against myself.

Before I bought I understood all Niesmann&Bischoff were winterised. When I found my Arto 69GL9"003) I did not check it had a double floor, which I thought it had to have for the tanks to be heated.

I was a bit disappointed when I realised it has not got a double floor. I later discovered that the tanks are boxed-in in heated areas, so it is after all winterised.

Other makes and models might have the same set-up, even if not double floored.

We have not tried it for skiing yet but at least I have the confidence it could do it.

Geoff
Click to expand...

Same for us with the Hymer Exsis. All pipes are inboard as is the waste tap, tanks are in heated and insulated compartments.

Used to caravan all year round. Only problem we ever had was when it got to -5 you had to bring the pipe and water pump in as it would freeze in the pipe coming from the Aqua roll.

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