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Trigger85 
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Post subject: Sleeping in a van in Scotland
 Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 12:02 PM
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First post: Dec 09, 2009
Total posts: 985
Location: Burford, Oxon
Status: Offline
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ok so here is a question, Has anyone slept in a van in Scotland in winter before? I read an article in WL about someone who spent the season in one and they said it was cold, im only thinking about it for a few nights, just so i can blast up there in my van and sleep in there. I will have an invertor in there so can take a heater etc but just wanted to ask if anyone has done this and any tips?
Van is my work van so not winterised at all except it is ply lined so will have some form of insulation (ish) I have decent sleeping bag etc and an air bed to keep me off the cold floor.
with regards to winterising it, if i take off the ply board, put thin loft insulation up (inch thick lagging should fit between ply and body) and screw the ply back on will that help at all?
cheers,
Alex. |
_________________
Bataleon Evil Twin (Artist Edition) : Flux RK30 : Thirtytwo JP Walker
www.armourlock.co.uk if you need a locksmith in the Cotwolds area PM me SCUK discount offered.
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cantridepete
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 12:11 PM
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First post: Oct 28, 2008
Total posts: 2328
Location: Haute Savoie
Status: Offline
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not specifically in scotland, but i've camped in some cold ass weather before.
my twopenith.....
ditch the airbed and get a matress, the airbed will be really really cold...
unless your running the invertor of an isolated leisure battery your running the chance of a flat battery so be careful.
get a gas powered heater, but dont run it over night, you'll die
get the best sleeping bag you can, you dont need the whole van to be warm, just you 
you can insulate the van, but if your planning on just doing the floor, its probably a lot of work for not a lot of reward. Also if your doing the whole van, either do it properly, or take it out after the trip as your running the risk of condensation getting trapped and the van rotting from inside out (i've seen friends vans disintegrate in a handful of years!) |
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snowbadger
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 01:11 PM
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First post: Jun 01, 2011
Total posts: 737
Location: Warwickshire
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| my make whos a keen surfer has a hammock in his van.. not sure how he made the van sturdy enough to support the weight. |
_________________
Sno news is good news
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CjKit
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 01:17 PM
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First post: Nov 01, 2010
Total posts: 2056
Location: NW London
Status: Offline
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dashie
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 01:18 PM
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First post: Sep 24, 2007
Total posts: 4409
Location: stockport/dundee
Status: Offline
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| I wouldn't bother insulating. Just normal pongo stuff applies. Get off the ground, keep your head warm. A cot bed in the van with a decent sleeping bag would be enough. It'll be cold but the slopes shut at 5 and pubs are open til 11 at least, get pissed and pass out. Only problem would be drying your riding kit for the next day. |
_________________
Boobs, booze, snowboarding, in that order!
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Boots
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 01:25 PM
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First post: Feb 15, 2011
Total posts: 290
Location: Somewhere between the mountains and the sea.
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Many years in vans, although not often in winter recently.
Agree that a mattress will be better than an air bed. Try to raise the bed off the floor - it'll make a difference.
In winter, I prefer 2 duvets to a mummy bag - more comfortable so get a better night's sleep (I use a regular one underneath & a full-on, quality winter one on top). Wear a beanie.
Insulation doesn't make much difference once it gets really cold, if you've got windows, so maybe not worth the bother for a few days.
Put clothes in a cold box with a hot water bottle & fill any space with towels (especially nice when you get out of the water mid-Feb!)
Make sure you don't need to get up for a p!ss in the middle of the night! |
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dashie
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 01:46 PM
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First post: Sep 24, 2007
Total posts: 4409
Location: stockport/dundee
Status: Offline
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| Or book a £15 a night budget room. |
_________________
Boobs, booze, snowboarding, in that order!
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Boots
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 01:53 PM
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First post: Feb 15, 2011
Total posts: 290
Location: Somewhere between the mountains and the sea.
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dashie wrote:
Or book a £15 a night budget room.
Genius! |
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dashie
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 02:31 PM
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First post: Sep 24, 2007
Total posts: 4409
Location: stockport/dundee
Status: Offline
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| Honestly though. If its money v comfort and sleeping what's 15quid on top of 2 days riding. |
_________________
Boobs, booze, snowboarding, in that order!
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Boots
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 02:40 PM
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First post: Feb 15, 2011
Total posts: 290
Location: Somewhere between the mountains and the sea.
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dashie wrote:
Honestly though. If its money v comfort and sleeping what's 15quid on top of 2 days riding.
Definitely with you on that one. I stopped sleeping in my van in Sunny South Wales a couple of weeks ago, never mind Scotland in winter! |
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dashie
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 02:57 PM
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First post: Sep 24, 2007
Total posts: 4409
Location: stockport/dundee
Status: Offline
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I camped in glenmore at the end of may, still snow to ride but nice enough to camp. With all the snow gear is just nicer to have a bed and a drying room.
That said if you do it I'll come up and ride for the day, I'll just drive the 2 hrs back to my warm house |
_________________
Boobs, booze, snowboarding, in that order!
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AlexRiley1992
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 03:40 PM
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First post: Jul 03, 2011
Total posts: 33
Status: Offline
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| I camped on the beach at Glenmore last year in Feb then went riding for the day just for the craic, like these guys say, decent sleeping bag and you should be warm enough. Have to agree a night in a bed is far better though.. |
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Trigger85
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 10:51 PM
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First post: Dec 09, 2009
Total posts: 985
Location: Burford, Oxon
Status: Offline
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got all the gear etc from my time in the army. spending many a night on brecon beacons and sailsbury plains etc but never in a van. only a car pissed up which was cold. never thought of a camp cot, as for drying my gear i was gona towel it down and then hand drier it before i left after getting changed. and boot wise, hope a pub has an open fire! having been a "pongo" as dashie called us, i can get my head down anywhere but you can't beat a bit of comfort!
the issue isn't money its the timing. i just need a backup incase i get the opportunity to go up last minute and hotels/hostels are booked up. that way im not stuck without a room.
cheers guys some good stuff here, not thought about damp etc. can't insulate then as ill be shelving it out down one side so can't take out any insulation once its in. but a camp cot takes up less space than a mattress will in summer months so that's my plan then!
@Dashie when i do head up ill let you know but it will realistically be on the day ill travel up i.e. if i notice that conditions are good and im free. being self employed im sure i can ask the boss for time off! |
_________________
Bataleon Evil Twin (Artist Edition) : Flux RK30 : Thirtytwo JP Walker
www.armourlock.co.uk if you need a locksmith in the Cotwolds area PM me SCUK discount offered.
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dashie
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 22, 2011 - 11:05 PM
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First post: Sep 24, 2007
Total posts: 4409
Location: stockport/dundee
Status: Offline
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| If your rushing up when snows good, unless its a weekend or a school holiday you wont struggle for a room, esp in a bunkhouse. If its that good that your driving up from down south I'd imagine I'll be 'snowed off work' too |
_________________
Boobs, booze, snowboarding, in that order!
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Trigger85
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 23, 2011 - 07:51 AM
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First post: Dec 09, 2009
Total posts: 985
Location: Burford, Oxon
Status: Offline
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| cool sounds good. well hopefully will get a few days in this season seen as had none last year due to wedding. will hopefully get accommodation more times than not then |
_________________
Bataleon Evil Twin (Artist Edition) : Flux RK30 : Thirtytwo JP Walker
www.armourlock.co.uk if you need a locksmith in the Cotwolds area PM me SCUK discount offered.
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