MOTORHOME OWNERS... IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

But what if it gets colder than usual when you set off on a trip in your motorhome? Just as in the summer heat, preparing your motorhome in advance for colder days could be a good solution for making the most of your winter travels.

So let’s look at a few tips on how to do it:

Prepare your Ducato well

When it first turns cold, the weather can also be bad and the roads are not always clean and easy to drive on. It is therefore important that you are well prepared with the most suitable tyres for the season. To make sure you travel worry-free, Ducato has the solution for you! You can equip your motorhome with all-season tyres, known as M+S tyres, available in both 15" and 16", which avoid the need for a winter tyre change. These tyres, perfect when combined with the TRACTION+ traction control system, ensure an excellent grip, even on slippery terrain. In fact, the Traction+ system increases the motorhome's traction on difficult and low-grip terrain, such as mud, sand, snow and wet grass. In low-grip conditions, the system's control unit transfers drive torque to the wheel with the strongest grip on the ground. It can be activated via a dedicated button on the dashboard and is automatically shuts off once the vehicle reaches a speed of 30km/h.

On winter trips, it can also be important to pre-heat the engine. Ducato offers a solution for this too: an additional boiler that switches on automatically or can be programmed before you set off to allow you to pre-heat both the engine and the passenger compartment.

Winter gas and diesel

When it is cold, everyone knows that the greatest risk travellers face is that any liquid or gaseous elements on board freezing up completely. Even the cylinders used to supply gas for cooking and heating the motorhome could be at risk. When travelling in winter, it is better not to opt for normal gas cylinders, but propane-filled cylinders. This type of gas, in fact, freezes at lower temperatures, thus avoiding unpleasant inconveniences such as the stove or boiler becoming blocked.

In addition, it would be useful to cover the central body of the cylinder - but not the top- with special 'covers' to avoid exposing it to temperature fluctuations.

If, on the other hand, you are travelling with a diesel-powered stove, we recommend you use winter diesel, which is specifically intended for low temperatures. This type of diesel is also useful for the motorhome's engine, as it contains an additive that prevents the paraffins inside it, and therefore the whole structure, from freezing.

Beware of frozen pipes!

Never forget to top up your Ducato-based motorhome with antifreeze fluid during a winter trip! The cold weather may cause the sewage and waste water to freeze. To prevent this from happening, you will need to add specific additives to the tanks of your motorhome to prevent them from freezing once you are on the road.

Another trick you can use to avoid this annoying inconvenience is to place ordinary buckets (such as those used for washing floors) at the drains, leaving them open so that the water can drain continuously and avoid freezing.

Insulate Insulate Insulate!

The coldest area of the entire motorhome is usually the driver's cab. A good idea would therefore be to separate this part of the motorhome from the living area. To do this, you can use thermal partitions, i.e. tarpaulins of insulating fabric that are hung between the two areas to separate the two parts. In this way, you can avoid heat loss both at night and during the day when you are not moving.

In addition to this, you should also insulate the windows and floors of your motorhome with blackout blinds and rugs. In winter, in fact, it is preferable to use external blinds to prevent ice from forming on the windows and windscreen, while rugs will help you create an additional insulating layer on the cold floor. This way, you will not only make your motorhome more functional, but you can also go wild and choose a style and type of rug that will add an extra touch of style!

If necessary, fit an awning

If the destination to which you are heading has really low temperatures, we recommend you consider fitting a small awning at the entrance to your motorhome, which are similar to verandas precisely because of their function. In addition to creating an additional vestibule, in fact, they are also useful for storing the wet equipment that is often needed in the mountains, thus avoiding the need to carry it on board or risk leaving it to freeze outside.

Invaluable tips

In winter, it is always useful to have a shovel with you, preferably a portable one that is easy to store and transport. This way you will always be ready for a sudden snowfall.

Always carry a lubricant spray with you and spray on the locks and the rubber seals of doors and hatches to prevent them from freezing and you being locked out.

Stock up with plenty of heavy blankets and a sleeping bag as well as some cosy, furry, slipper socks. On the coldest evenings they will definitely prove essential!

Another useful tip, not to be underestimated, is to find a cool box for storing your shoes in when you take them off. This will prevent them from freezing overnight and consequently on your feet too once they are on!

If you are particularly fond of winter destinations, we also recommend the article: TRAVEL WISHLIST: DISCOVERING SANTA CLAUS’S HOME COUNTRY!

Now all you have to do is choose your next snowy destination, and get ready to experience unique emotions aboard your Ducato-based motorhome amidst the breathtaking scenery and colours that only the winter season can offer!