Winter road trips can be great.
The roads are quieter, tourist hot spots are often deserted and you can experience some real cozy nights in your tiny home on wheels.
But let’s be real: it can also be brutally cold if you’re not prepared.
If you don’t want to wake up feeling like an icicle, you NEED these five essential tricks to stay warm.
Insulate Like Your Life Depends on It
If your van isn’t properly insulated, you’re basically sleeping in a tin can.
Proper insulation will help you keep the warm in and the cold out. More often than not, this should be considered while building your campervan, so try to take into account all weathers when doing or contracting out your campervan build.
The better your insulation, the less you’ll have to rely on external heat sources—and the cosier your van will be.
Most people tend to use two layers of insulation in their builds. Dodomat foam and then recycled bottle insulation seems to be the way to go. You can also add in some rugs and draft excluders to keep things extra toasty.
Don’t forget them insulated windscreen blinds too!
Invest In A Good Diesel Heater
If there’s one upgrade that will completely transform your winter van life experience, it’s a diesel heater.
They are incredibly fuel efficient, powerful and more importantly a safe way of keeping your van toasty.
Unlike propane heaters, which require ventilation and can create condensation, diesel heaters run off your van’s fuel tank (or a separate one) and produce dry heat, meaning no more waking up to icy windows and damp bedding.
Brands like Webasto and Autoterm are the most popular options, and while the initial cost can be steep, the comfort and reliability they provide are worth every penny. If you plan to do serious winter van life, this is the investment that will keep you warm, safe, and comfortable all season long.
You can even go one better with a diesel heater and invest in one that heats water too. A nice toasty shower after a good winter hike is a real bonus!
Layer Up Like You’re Climbing Mount Everest
If you know anything about outdoor clothing, it’s that it’s all about layering. Trapping heat between layers is the key to staying warm without sweating.
Here’s your go-to layering strategy: wear thermal base layers to trap body heat then fleece or wool mid-layers for insulation.
Add a waterproof outer shell for trips outside the van and be sure to keep a pair of toasty slippers by the door for when you return. – Van floors can get really cold even when they’re properly insulated.
Hot Water Bottles Are Your Best Friend
When the temperatures drop, a hot water bottle can be a simple yet powerful way to stay warm in your van.
Before bed, fill one with boiling water and tuck it into your sleeping bag or under your blankets—it will radiate heat for hours, keeping you cozy all night.
You can also place it near your feet (where heat escapes the fastest) or hold it against your core to warm up quickly. Unlike electric blankets, hot water bottles don’t drain your battery and are completely safe to use overnight.
Plus, they’re a cheap, low-tech solution that works in even the most off-grid situations.
The Ultimate Van Life Hack? DRIVE SOUTH!
Let’s be honest—the easiest way to survive winter in a van is to AVOID IT ALTOGETHER.
If you have the flexibility, pack up and chase the sun!
Winter camping is an adventure, but why suffer when you could be basking in the sun instead? If all else fails, just drive where it’s warm!
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