Electric blanket to keep the bed aired......?

[AndyPK]

Our ‘van is outside the house on hookup, and, as it’s getting cold here in The Cotswolds, I’m thinking about putting an electric blanket on the fixed bed to keep it ‘aired’. Anybody else do this, or am I being too fussy - I leaved a small oil-filled rad in the van which comes on if the temp drops too low (6 C) as it uses less ‘leccy than the ‘van heater?

?

 

[B-well]

Why not take all the bedding in

 

[AndyPK]

The mattress is too awkward to get out of the door....!

 

[Podney]

It isn’t necessary to take the mattress out of the van,and it isn’t necessary to heat it. Save your money.

 

[irnbru]

We just put a couple of hot water bottles in when we know we are going to use the van.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Allanm]

Make sure all the water is out of the system then just leave it. Maybe open a couple of vents a little to get some ventilation and take the bedding indoors.
You don’t really need to heat it

 

[thebriars]

Never bothered with heating, dehumidifiers or any of that faff. MH is drained down. Just plug in the EHU 24 hours before, switch the fridge and heating on. Job done.

 

[AndyPK]

We use the ‘van every 3 to 4 weeks, year round, so tend not to drain down too often, but it was just a query as to what other Funsters do or would advise - and, as usual, the helpful comments are coming in. This is a great resource!

??

 

[Podney]

We use the ‘van every 3 to 4 weeks, year round, so tend not to drain down too often, but it was just a query as to what other Funsters do or would advise - and, as usual, the helpful comments are coming in. This is a great resource!

??

So you just need to keep a keen eye on the weather so you are not caught out by an unexpected sharp frost.
Your dump valve will probably operate at 4% which leaves plenty of margin..............but there will still be water in the system that will cause serious damage if it freezes.
The words “better safe than sorry” come to mind.

 

[thebriars]

Easy enough to drain down. Do it as you leave on the last night and then any water still in the pipes tends to get shaken out on the way home.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[solaris]

We use van all year round. When home use a small oil filled electric radiator to keep chill off. Don’t remove bedding etc and have had no problem to date. With pump off open taps to reduce pressure. If below freezing forecast, open boiler drain valve (despite it being automatic) and if not using for couple of weeks also drain fresh water tank. Interestingly Tank blanket heater company advises that having more water in tank makes it more resistant to freezing than almost empty. Van is stored at home under 3 sided car port so somewhat protected from elements. Also run couple of ultrasonic rodent deterrents - squirrels have previously twice eaten fuel line off car

 

[tonka]

I

Your dump valve will probably operate at 4% which leaves plenty of margin.

ONLY.. If you have an auto dump valve fitted .. Lots of vans dont have one.. Especially Brit vans.
My past Autotrails never did.. and my current Burstner Elegance does not have one.. In fact quiet relieved it doesn't.. I have drained mine manually as its gone a bit cold and we wont be using it for a while.

 

[Reallyretired]

We put the electric blanket on in the mh when we go away in the winter. We have it on while travelling so bed is cosy when we arrive.
We dont remove mattress or have heating on in storage.

 

[ctc]

To raise the temperature, by a degree, in your van takes the same amount of electricity no matter what type of heater is used

 

[ambulancekidd]

We just put a couple of hot water bottles in when we know we are going to use the van.

What you need is a Gabby & a Gus to keep your tootsies warm Sandra, they are very good foot warmers.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ambulancekidd]

squirrels have previously twice eaten fuel line off car

The poor squirrels have never felt safe since "Swampy" & his cohorts chased them from the tree's during the Newbury bypass protests!
So its hardly surprising that they eat fuel lines!!

 

[Phod's]

To raise the temperature, by a degree, in your van takes the same amount of electricity no matter what type of heater is used

Not if its a gas heater.....sorry CTC?