Just how well insulated is a Romahome?

[Chrissy and Martin]

Having enjoyed our new outlook throughout what we laughingly called the "summer" we are now planning a few autumn trips and possibly even some mid winter nights. How cold does it actually get sleeping out in Romahome? We've had no problems throughout the Spring and Summer. Is a heater really necessary? What are people's experiences of coping without one?

[scotty]

Hi Chrissy and Martin,
I have a C15 hitop romahome and found that I didnt need any heating on as the fridge puts out a small amount of heat and I was very comfortable. Outside temp min. was 5 deg.
I had blinds and curtains on the windows and fitted a silver screens cover over the driving windows. Cheers. Scotty.

[judith]

Hi there,

Went away this weekend when it was quite chilly at night.
Actually took a heater which we didn't use. Think that had it been any colder we might have needed it on. The van does warm up quickly if you use the gas. I'd take one in case.

Enjoy it.

Judith

[effiemac]

Last year @ Mont Blanc I wished my heating worked! But then I found the wee back window had opened itself... I go away in winter months preferentially cos of midgies and used the propex heating on the old HyLo a lot when on my own and not at all when 2 bodies in the van, even is snow and frost and wind. Once you've got the dinner on and are snuggled under the duvet so long as you're not out to the campy loo it's fine. I'd consider a hot water bottle.
Effie

[karenw]

What sort of heater do you have?

My Kangoo Roo has no insulation. I have a good set of thermals and 4-season sleeping bag but a heater might be handy if it gets really chilly!

[judith]

I just bought a small fan heater with a themostat. It only needs to be on the lowest setting. Think it was about £9 from Sainsburys.

[karenw]

Judith

Thanks for your reply. I was curious incase it was one of the portable gas heaters running from tiny gas cannisters. An electric fan heater would probably be better and safer as there are no fumes and probably a much lower fire risk but, for me, there would be nowhere to plug one in as I don't use campsites and tend to park in very remote spots!

[lunnie]

I use a small oil filled rad from B & Q about £14 with frost guard on it.

[martinw]

lunnie said:

I use a small oil filled rad from B & Q about £14 with frost guard on it.

So do I, and very good it is too

M

[Chrissy and Martin]

Having kicked off this thread, I thought that i would add that we tested the Romahome insulation at end of October in the wilds of Northumberland. Overnight it was great. The thick duvet saw to that. The mornings were a bit chilly but it was such a nice bright week that this didn't present any problem at all.

We are planning a late November trip which may be a different story altogether. To combat this, I have just ordered the Silver Screen as recommended in a previous thread. We are really looking forward to testing out the mid winter Romahome experience!

[Chrissy and Martin]

Well I guess the last weekend in November counts as winter! Having just purchased the silver screen we set off to the wilds of Suffolk for the Southwold christmas lights switch on. We had no problems at all with the temperature at night. I bought along a small fan heater for the evening, but the overnight sleep was fine. Job done I'd say!
The only problem with winter camping is the comparative lack of open campsites I guess. (And the fact that it gets dark so early!). That said, its great to have the flexibility to travel out during the winter and see the country in a different way.

[barry5933]

You may have picked up from the "fridge" tread in technical discussions, we were also away 22nd & 23rd November, down in Kent. It was cold! So cold that by the morning on the Saturday, frost had formed on the inside of the awning and the zips had frozen solid.

Although we had turned in nice and warm with hot water bottles, ;D by the early hours we were suffering and neither of us could face leaving the sleeping bag to refill the bottles.

The fan heater had worked very well during the evening, but being reluctant to leave it running whilst asleep, even on a low setting, we now realise its limitations.

We therefore have bought a small (500 watt) oil filled heater from B & Q which we hope will give a background heat and can safely be left on (low thermostat setting) overnight.

We intend to test this out next weekend. Being now prepared for the cold, I expect there will be an unseasonable heatwave.

[jimconnachan]

I fitted a carpet runner to the central aisle and also fitted an old sleeeping mat(camping) beneath this and it does help to keep the feet warm. I also used the same type of mat to line the floor under the seats to insulet the rest of the living space. Other types of insulation could be used underneath the seats.
We have been camping in the Lake District with temperatures down to -10C,using a 500/1000W fan heater and have been very cosy.

Regards,

Jim Connachan

[jayjay]

barry5933 said:

Although we had turned in nice and warm with hot water bottles, ;D by the early hours we were suffering and neither of us could face leaving the sleeping bag to refill the bottles.

This would be the point where I started putting on my thick scotland jumper (left within reach just in case), cosy bedsocks and all the coats on top of my sleeping bag!!

We intend to test this out next weekend. Being now prepared for the cold, I expect there will be an unseasonable heatwave.

LOL - What weekend are you going? Think I'll join you for an unseasonable heatwave! Seriously, that's just the kind of luck I would have!

[viv]

We camped up last night in the New Forest. Really very cold and thick fog but not 'minus' temperatures though.

Terry really does feel the cold and we would not have managed without the heating. It warms us up immediately in 10 mins and we use it to boost the heat initially and then we usually then put the oil filled radiator on when we are just sitting in the van.

This time we did not have hook up and we spent the evening in the site pub (The Sir Walter Tyrrell) having a lovely meal with wine and then we went straight to bed by 9pm so again just used the heating until we were wrapped up in sleeping bags.

A bit drafty in early hours where the seat cushion joins but a fleecy liner or thicker nightwear would probably have dealt with this.

We certainly would not manage without either the installed heating or oil radiator and hook up.

Once our fan heater got accidentally covered with the bedding and it could have gone up in flames if the smoke alarm had not woken us up! I would not ever use a fan heater again in such a small van.

[jax]

Interesting question! I'll let you know after my son has slept in Elvis for a couple of nights as we shall be bursting at the seams in the house so Elvis wil be the annex. Our theory is that, after he has been out celebrating with his mates and rolls home in the early hours, he should be OK with three sleeping bags, various blankets and hot wheat bags! Wouldn't fancy it myself tho! Happy Christmas.

[chowzamma]

My Romahome is a 1988 Hytop only purchased a month ago, it has no Propex or other auxiliary heating system and I am wondering if this could be fitted "aftermarket"? Also I don't have a leisure battery and would possibly like one of these too, has anybody any experience of doing this please? My plan is to take the vehicle to Switzerland on a regular basis to visit family so these extras would be useful I feel. Many thanks and all best wishes to everybody on this site. Steve.