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We moved to the UK from South Africa and bought an old Talbot Express. We had a great 4 weeks in France in August. Now unscareably, my son (14) and I plan to drive to Switzerland for some skiing. Never done anything remotely similar and we are quite clueless about snow, ice and cold weather camping but we'll try anything at least once!

Friends named our Talbot the Van-of-Doom, which probably has something to do with the fact that mrs Van-of-Doom co-owner and our daughter (10) decided to rather go to South Africa while us boys try our luck skiing.

Problem: Any ideas how to prevent the Talbot's external water tank from freezing?  Do we need chains for the wheels? Anything other advice from your experience?

All greatly appreciated! Thanks. Man and the Van of Doom.

Yes get chains for your wheels

Here is a little bit of info we have picked up on winterising the MH.

1. One of the biggest sources of cold in a motorhome is caused by draughts through the ventilation grilles in the cab. You should close all of them when you are parked up in a cold place.

2. Try to park on a slight slope so water doesn't sit in pipes. Around -10C the u bend freezes and then you will need to put antifreeze or salt down them.

3. Make some extra screens for the windows from 2 layers of the polystyrene/tinfoil laminate made to put down the back of radiators

4. If you have waste tank underslung at the rear, leave the drain tap open on site and a good old bucket slung underneath and emptied regularly

5. Leave locker doors open overnight, the heat will then enter preventing condensation.

6. Fit exterior silverscreens and if its really cold interior silverscreens to cab windows.

7. When on Hookup lift the cable every day to prevent it freezing to the ground or getting buried in snow.

8. Carry Snow chains and a folding shovel in the Motorhome.

9. If you’re considering camping off hookup make sure you’ve got a good healthy leisure battery or consider fitting another in tandem to boost your amperage.

10. When parked up for long periods leave vehicle in gear, chock the wheels and leave handbrake off if possible, prevents rear drums freezing on.

11. If intending to stay on campsites with hookup availability etc then consider using fish tank heaters in the waste and fresh tanks

12. If intending to stay put for extended periods (Entire ski season etc) then the following may be of use:-
Adapt the gas hose to allow use of large 49Kg Propane bottles supplied by some sites
build wooden skirting round the van from floor to ground to restrict the wind flow underneath

13. Check Vehicle door seals replace the rubbers if needed.

14. If your cab doors have air vents seal em up.

15. Ensure you are using Propane not Butane as Propane freezes at much lower temperatures.

16. Seal around the fridge, seal the rear of the fridge from the interior.

17. Fit cling film or similar to window frame interior, At no point should it touch the plastic of the window, it should be fitted on wall and cover the "hole" where the window sits. This gives a trapped air insulation pocket.

18. if you have an older mh then consider sealing the roof permanent vents (If applicable) Caveat is to ensure there will still be sufficient oxygen transfer for breathing

Skiing is the best fun so don't forget to enjoy yourself

Thanks, brilliant practical advice! We are hoping to locate a camp site close to Flums, Switzerland as we are meeting up with friends coming from Zurich to ski at Flumserberg.

Another question if I may - Do we only fit the chairs when we start skidding around or do you drive with them always when at higher altitude?

If you drive in snow chains all the time then they will break your tyres.  Only fit them when it is icy or the snow is deep.  Look around if lots of people around you have them on then put them on.  Your friends will be able to advise you on this more.  Have you ever driven a car in the snow?  Maybe a short course in snow or skid driving for MH would be prudent.  You may well find that the roads are well maintianed and that the snow isn't a problem unless you are off the beaton track as they say.

Thanks, I had a go with our Campervan down the hill where we live when we had a bit of snow after Christmas. I can honestly say that it was nothing like driving on a wet, muddy road as per my South African experience on the farm. The van just goes straight and we quickly realised the purpose of those strange yellow grit bins on the pavement.

Methinks we will stick to the very well beaten track for this holiday and buy snow chains anyway.

Have to been told that some countries now have bans on snow chains as they damage the roads.

Make sure clothes wise that you layer your clothes to keep warm.