Owner guides
Best winter motorhomes UK: heating & winterised guide
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If you’re hiring out your motorhome, it makes sense to do so all year round. Not only is it better for the vehicle to be in use rather than storage, making your motorhome available in winter means you can take advantage of the rise in winter camping (increased by 40.7% since 2019!). Less traffic, emptier campsites, low-season camping prices… All these make winter motorhoming attractive to many holidaymakers. But what’s the best motorhome for winter use in the UK?
Below, we list the top motorhomes to keep you (and your hirers!) cosy in the colder months. Plus, learn how you can make your motorhome winter friendly if you don’t buy a winterproof model! We cover all you need to know for a comfortable winter camping trip on wheels.
Winterised motorhomes vs winterproof motorhomes
If you’re considering the best motorhome for winter use in the UK, first you’ll need to know the difference between winterised and winterproof motorhomes:
Winterproof motorhomes have been designed or modified for use all year round. They’ll have been extensively tested to ensure that temperatures inside can go from zero degrees Celsuis to 20C within two hours, a legal requirement in most European countries. Many winterproof motorhomes also have electrical heating elements, lagging and thermal insulation added.
Winterised motorhomes , on the other hand, generally have this heating system guaranteed, plus all the pipes, taps and water tanks inside the vehicle. Tanks are usually within a double insulated floor. Winterproof motorhomes have only the heating measured; winterised vehicles check insulation and the water supply and pipes too.
A winterised motorhome must be able to withstand significantly lower temperatures – usually -15°C for at least 10 hours. The heating system then has to heat the interior/living area to 20°C within four hours.
(Note that “motorhome winterisation” as a camping term can also refer to the owner’s process of making the van safe and secure for winter, for example by draining down the water system, checking batteries and removing soft furnishings like bedding and cushions. Ourmotorhome winterisation blog has lots more detail on this!)
Best motorhomes for winter use in the UK
1. Hymer Sunlight Sunvan V60
German manufacturer Hymer is one of the market leaders for winterproof and winterised motorhomes. Its winterproof vehicles must heat up to 20°C from zero in two hours and the temperature difference at five other measuring points inside the vehicle must not exceed 7°C. Winterised vehicles use the same procedure but the starting temperature is -15℃ and the plumbing should all be working normally after two hours.
From the Hymer range, we recommend the Sunlight Sunvan model as the best motorhome for winter use in the UK. Like all Hymer models, it comes winterproofed as standard; but as it weighs under 3,500kg, it can be driven on a Category B driving license, making it perfect for first-time owners. It’s also a compact vehicle at under 6m – useful for driving in poor or cold weather – and has a payload of 800kg so there’s plenty of room for a winter sports kit.
Winter-friendly features:
Fully winterproofed according to German industry standards
Truma Combi 6 gas and electric heating and hot water
Built-in Styrodur material for solid insulation
High payload and heated garage space for winter sports kit
Price: from £41,925
2. Dethleffs Trend
Part of the Hymer range, Dethleffs is also a German market leader for winterproof and winterised motorhomes. All its winterproof motorhomes come with double floors and warm-water heating as well as wall insulation, highly breathable materials and good ventilation.
The four-berth Dethleffs Trend comes with many features making it a top pick for best motorhome for winter use in the UK: suitable for winter holidays, including a combi gas and electric boiler, heated mirrors and electrical floor heating. Check this model out first by hiring a Dethleffs Trend T7057 from Camplify –Destiny (above) can also be used off-grid, so no worries in finding a winter campsite.
Winter friendly features:
Truma Combi 6 E heating with integrated 10 l boiler
Heated rear garage
Electrical floor heating
Electrical and heated mirrors
Under 3,500kg: easier to drive in poor weather conditions
Price: from £64,999 ****
3. Swift Edge 476
Acclaimed motorhome manufacturer Swift includes a heating and hot water system in all its Edge motorhomes. This uses “wet” heat, which means a combi system provides heating for the living area and/or flooring (space heating) as well as hot water for taps and the motorhome shower. Swift Edge models use an Alde 3020HE central heating system from gas and/or mains (230v), making them versatile and simple to operate. This YouTube clip showshow to operate the heating system in a Swift Edge 476 motorhome.
The Swift Edge range was designed as “an ideal first motorhome, primarily designed with family life in mind” – it’s our pick for introducing winter motorhome holidays to your family for the first time, or getting away for a quick winter break. Try before you buy with a trip inRufus, above, a Swift Edge 476 available to hire in Lincoln.
Winter friendly features:
Easy to operate Alde central heating system
Hydronic/wet heat allows for hot water as well as space heating
Heating system works on gas or mains
User friendly, especially for first-time motorhomers
4. Carado T449
Also part of the Erwin Hymer Group, Carado produces motorhomes with “true functionality” as a core aim, alongside emphasis on affordability and quality. Almost all Carado motorhomes come either winterised or winterproof as standard: grade 2 for winterised, suitable for outdoor temperatures of 0°C; and grade 3 for winterproof, suitable for an outside temperature of -15°C.
Their T449 is an excellent pick as a best motorhome for winter use in the UK, for adventurers looking for a smaller but highly practical motorhome with lots of storage space. Like the Swift Edge, it offers a combi system with space and water heating, this time with Combi 6 gas central heating with an integrated 10-litre boiler.
Winter friendly features:
Practical and sturdy van for use in all weathers
Made by a company with extensive experience in producing winter-friendly motorhomes
Combi 6 gas central heating
Integrated 10-litre boiler
Two gas cylinders
Price: from approx. £52,899 (Carado dealerships)
Types of heating systems for motorhomes and campervans
Whatever your best motorhome for winter use in the UK, heating is a must-have for motorhome and campervan trips in winter. There are four main types of heating systems for motorhomes and campervans:
1. Wet heating
As used in the Swift Edge 476, wet or hydronic heating uses a combi system where the boiler heats water as well as the heating pipes in a motorhome interior. It’s powered by gas or electricity, with some systems able to use both. Diesel can also be used. This is usually the most expensive option to have fitted in a motorhome, so we recommend looking for a van with it already in place if wet heating is a must.
Key features:
Powerful and fast heating system
Combi – heats water as well as pipes
Powered by gas or electricity or both
Easy to use
2. Air heating
Air heating uses blown air, either from an under-seat unit or a ceiling one which can also double as air conditioning. It’s very fast, warming up air almost immediately, and like wet heating can be run on gas, electric or diesel.
Key features:
Rapid heating system
Many units can be used as air conditioner in summer
Versatile powering options
3. Exchange heating
If you have wet or blown air heating already installed, adding an exchange heating system to it could work well to save gas. This type of motorhome heating works by extracting heat from the engine while driving, which then produces heat for your pipes or unit and/or hot water. About 30 minutes’ use should provide enough energy to warm the motorhome and, if using a combi system, give enough water for a hot shower.
Key features:
Uses heat from the motorhome engine, so saves on gas
Doesn’t take long to warm the motorhome up
4. Standalone heating
Oil radiator, fan heater, portable gas heater… all are types of standalone heating – just plug in and place where it’s needed. As with homes, fan heaters will use more power than oil-filled radiators.
Key features:
Affordable heat without installing a system
Great for smaller motorhomes or van conversions
Accessories to make your motorhome winter friendly
Whether or not you install a heating system, use these tips to make your motorhome winter friendly:
1. Thermal windscreen cover
Due to its size and position, lots of heat in motorhomes is lost via the front windscreen. There are many thermal windscreen covers on the market to fit almost any size of motorhome – look for one that’s compatible with your vehicle, or buy a universal one for extra peace of mind. You could also opt for a thermal insulation aluminium foil roll to cover door space or other gaps.
Pennine Universal Thermal Motorhome Windscreen Cover, £44.99
Thermal Insulation Aluminium Foil Membrane, 1.5 x 50m, £70.99
2. USB electric blanket
An accessory to use at home too for saving on heating costs, an USB-powered electric blanket or shawl will keep you cosy without blasting the heating on full.
USB Warm Electric Blanket Shawl/Portable Heated Blanket Throw, £23.99
3. Thermal base layers
Keep your motorhome heating costs down by dressing smart – wear a thermal long-sleeved top and thermal leggings under your normal clothes. We recommend having two or three sets on hand so you always have a spare. You don’t have to buy expensive stuff either – thermal or lined women’s leggings start from around £3-5 on eBay.
Women’s base layers and thermal tops, from £5.99
Men’s thermal tops/bottoms, from £5.10
4. Wearable sleeping bag
If a heated throw just isn’t cutting it, look for a wearable sleeping bag for evenings inside. Fully insulated wearable bags start from around £60-70; if this is out of budget, try an uninsulated onesie from somewhere like supermarkets or Amazon.
Large Onesie 3 Season Sleeping Bag Suit, £74.99
Thick Snuggle Hooded Onesie, £24.99
5. Winter duvet
Ready for bed? Invest in a warm and cosy winter duvet of at least 13 tog.
16.5 Tog Extra Warm Double Bed Heavy Winter Duvet, £28.95
6. Gas level indicator and carbon monoxide alarm
Make sure you always know how much gas is left in your motorhome’s bottle by checking it regularly using a gas level indicator (lifting the bottle isn’t effective due to its heavy weight even when empty). And, as with any dwelling that uses gas, a working and regularly checked carbon monoxide alarm is a must.
Truma Levelcheck LED gas level indicator, £72.49
10 Year Life Digital Display Carbon Monoxide Alarm, £19.60
7. Winter tyres
Winter tyres aren’t a legal requirement in the UK (although they are in most European countries), and the AA recommends they’re used only if the temperature drops below 7ºC.
There are many benefits to fitting them: they help with steering control and stopping distances, and make it easier to accelerate. It’s best to go to a motorhome dealership or garage for these; make sure you get treads of at least 3mm.
Michelin Agilis X-Ice North Tyre, £170
8. Water tank heater
Careful – your waste water tank and any fresh water tanks could freeze in winter weather if externally mounted. Use a tank heater that will automatically activate when the temperature of your tank/s drops towards freezing.
Other motorhome winter accessories include rugs and thick carpet, a low-watt hair dryer for warming pipes, thermally lined curtains, and a window vac to remove condensation build up caused by your heating system.
Make a return on your motorhome this winter
With the recent rise in winter camping, it makes sense to use your motorhome or have it available for hire all year round. Or you could use your motorhome in the summer, then hire it out over the colder months to make back your summer holiday costs.
Van owners can make up to £10,000 a year on Camplify – enough for your holidays and to cover the costs of making your motorhome snug, secure and warm for winter!
Why Camplify?
Camplify connects owners like you with local and international holidaymakers - all of whom are verified to maximise the safety when you hire out your motorhome. Discover more of our advantages for owners below:
It's free to list your motorhome.
If you don’t have all-risk insurance, we can provide you with it when you sign up.
We give your van a 24/7 RAC breakdown cover.
You have complete freedom to approve or reject guests interested in hiring your motorhome. Your wheels, your rules.
We provide you with tips and step-by-step guides on how to improve your service and your motorhome to get more and more bookings!
The sooner you set up your listing, the sooner it will start to receive visits and bookings! See how much you could earn if you hire out your motorhome with ourfree income calculator or sign up now to start enjoying the above advantages today.
If you still have questions, want to discuss your income potential with an expert or get more information on how to list your motorhome, call us on ☎ 0330 808 1811 or visit www.camplify.co.uk. We’ll be happy to help you with anything you need!