In the winter of 2019, David Vachon invited us to take a look at the first vehicles built by VanLife, insisting that they were insulated and could be used very well in the winter. Four years later, thanks to a pandemic that has caused caravanning to explode in Quebec, the small business in the borough of LaSalle has the wind in its sails and can more than ever confirm that it is possible to camp winter in his “van”. Pro tips.
“Five and a half years ago, when we started, year-round use was not in people’s imagination,” says Catherine Vachon, co-owner and David’s sister. But it’s really a travel formula that has grown in popularity in recent years. »
However, winter caravanning requires a different state of mind than the one we have in summer, especially when we choose to spend a good number of consecutive days traveling. “Your life in your van must be embellished with activities, that other places contribute to your living environment,” she insists. It can be a café, a ski resort, hiking trails, you have to be able to juggle a rhythm of life that allows you to get out of your van. »
For those who decide to winter camp for an extended period, the biggest challenge is making sure the water doesn’t freeze. To do this, Catherine Vachon suggests starting the water heater while driving, to save batteries when stationary. “You also have to be sure to clear the roof at all times in winter so that the solar panels are free of snow and ice, in addition to always placing the vehicle at an angle conducive to recharging the panels. »
That said, the vast majority of winter caravanners will use their vehicle for short weekend outings, and they will simply drain the water from the pipes and tanks – it is then possible to supply water by plugging in a 18 liter bottle at the kitchen sink. “These people will go skiing, go hiking in the forest, and to avoid any risk of frost, they will just use drinking water from the sink, explains Ms.me Vachon. Moreover, when we rent our vans in winter, we close the water system. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY VANLIFE MTL
Winter caravanning requires a different state of mind than the one we have in summer.
Otherwise, for the rest, the insulation of the vehicle is very adequate down to -20 ° C: “It’s a small cabin, so it doesn’t take long to warm up, assures the young woman, who is camping herself. with his little family. There may be the floor which can be colder, but we suggest rolling out a mat there and wearing good socks, and you’re done! As for the toilet, there is no issue, because we install a cassette model that we empty when full. For odors, I pour a little essential oil into it, it’s very effective. For those who insist on camping in temperatures below -25°C, it is then necessary to cover the windows with insulation and to dress warmer.
Also, VanLife has recently offered to go and eat at a few merchants who are friends of caravanners, for the moment listed under the “VanLife Friendly” tab of the company’s website – we soon plan to make it a full-fledged site. “It’s an exchange between merchants and vanlifers, says Catherine Vachon. In the context of a pandemic, vanlifers were not always welcome in stores, so we wanted to comfort retailers by making them understand that the profile of vanlifers has changed a lot and that they are very respectful travellers. Of course, we also want to optimize the experience of our customers; for the moment, we have about thirty collaborators in Quebec, some even offer showers in return for the purchase of some of their products. This can be very practical in winter!