Travelling in the cold

[Badboo]

We are hoping to travel to Salzberg over Christmas. However I'm a little concerned about using the motorhome in freezing temperatures.
Can anyone detail what precautions we should take in these conditions.eg does the heater need to be running all the time, even if we are off sightseeing during the day?
Thanks in advance.

 

[stephsol]

My heating went a bit squiffy last night, in heavy frost, the fan kept going on and off every 2seconds and the red light started flashing, it seems OK today restarted it after mid day? What's that all about. ?

 

[CWH]

My heating went a bit squiffy last night, in heavy frost, the fan kept going on and off every 2seconds and the red light started flashing, it seems OK today restarted it after mid day? What's that all about. ?

Universal Fixing Procedure Mark I
- thump it
Universal Fixing Procedure Mark II
- switch it off at the mains, count to 10, switch back on again

 

[Vanman]

Universal Fixing Procedure Mark I
- thump it
Universal Fixing Procedure Mark II
- switch it off at the mains, count to 10, switch back on again

Heavens - that's pre-historic

Everyone knows you reboot first these days (and then thump it if it isn't fixed)

 

[TerryL]

BUT SERIOUSLY

Are you using butane? Or if refillable is there any chance you've got some butane in your gas bottles/tank? What I mean is, have you ever refilled with butane and not completely purged the bottle/tank? Butane won't gas at temps below zero and that sounds to me like a gas supply problem - it's okay when the temp gets up a bit.

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[CWH]

Heavens - that's pre-historic

Everyone knows you reboot first these days (and then thump it if it isn't fixed)

Aw c'mon, read carefully - MARK I & II, not STEP 1 & 2!

 

[Larrynwin]

For anti freeze strength you can get a small hydrometer specifically for the purpose from motor accessory shops. It's a diddy little thing around 3" long that indicates degs of frost protection.

 

[stephsol]

It's working ok now, unwittingly took the crucial....2 steps or whatever, thanks for that!

 

[bladerunner]

'm'off to St Anton - will be there end of next week. Forecast -39'c!! That'll test the truck.

 

[Badboo]

Forecast -39'c!!

Now I feel like a complete wuss!!

Can anyone tell the purpose of the two vents, either side the base of the door to the cabin? I can't find any mention of them in the owners manual and they let in a lot of cold air.

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[Theonlysue]

Might be worth carrying extra container of water in the van, in case any places you stop at en route have frozen taps.
Also how best to insulate your van even more.
Shoving a blanket in the footwell.
Can you curtain off the front cab area Al together if you don't need it?
Ensure curtains are on the floor stopping any drafts.

 

[gus-lopez]

View attachment 140769
Now I feel like a complete wuss!!

Can anyone tell the purpose of the two vents, either side the base of the door to the cabin? I can't find any mention of them in the owners manual and they let in a lot of cold air.

Just blank them off with tape .Many do Also have a quick look underneath on sill inside to see whether there are vents there & if so tape them off.

 

[TerryL]

View attachment 140769
Now I feel like a complete wuss!!

Can anyone tell the purpose of the two vents, either side the base of the door to the cabin? I can't find any mention of them in the owners manual and they let in a lot of cold air.

Yep - they're specially designed by the manufacturer to introduce icy cold drafts into your motorhome! (Actually I believe they're meant to provide ventilation on the cab-only versions of the Ducato chassis).

A few strips of duct tape over the vents will make an enormous difference to the cab temperature. We did it years ago, no more drafts.

 

[Badboo]

Shoving a blanket in the footwear.

Please excuse the ignorance but what are the footware?

 

[two]

The thick sox you need to protect feet from the icy draughts coming from the footwell !

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[ivorantony]

Please excuse the ignorance but what are the footware?

footwell! probably predicted TXT auto correct doing its thing,