What Scots Know About Winter Motorhomes That the Rest of the UK Doesn’t

If you plan to use your motorhome throughout the year, choosing the right vehicle becomes particularly important when the temperature drops. A layout or specification that feels perfect for summer touring may not necessarily be the one you want to spend a cold, wet week in during the Scottish winter.

At Dicksons of Perth, we’re based in a part of the UK where colder conditions are simply part of motorhome ownership. That makes winter capability a useful consideration when comparing your options, whether you’re looking at a new motorhome or considering a used model.

So, what should you actually look for when choosing a motorhome for winter and year-round touring?

Before comparing manufacturers or specifications, think about when and where you intend to travel.

Will your motorhome mainly be used for summer holidays and occasional weekends away? Or do you want the freedom to tour Scotland throughout autumn and winter too?

If year-round travel is important to you, your priorities may be different. You’ll potentially spend longer inside the vehicle, use the heating more frequently and encounter colder, wetter conditions.

That means winter suitability shouldn’t be something you think about after buying. It should form part of your shortlist from the beginning.

When viewing a motorhome, consider areas such as:

• insulation
• heating
• ventilation
• water storage and pipework
• available living space
• storage for wet clothing and outdoor equipment
• how comfortable the layout feels with everybody indoors

Don’t assume that every motorhome has identical cold-weather capability. Specifications vary considerably between manufacturers and individual models, so check the details of the particular vehicle you’re considering.

Dicksons of Perth currently stocks new motorhomes from manufacturers including Itineo, Malibu, Pilote, Rapido and Roller Team, giving buyers a range of layouts and specifications to compare.

Ask what type of heating system the motorhome uses and find out how heat is distributed around the living and sleeping areas.

Also think about the layout itself. Where will you spend your evenings? Where are the beds positioned? Are there areas of the motorhome that could feel noticeably colder?

The goal isn’t simply to find a motorhome with a heater. It’s to choose a vehicle in which you’re comfortable spending time when the temperature outside falls.

When comparing motorhomes for year-round use, look at the construction of the vehicle and ask about insulation in the walls, roof and floor. Depending on the model, you may also want to investigate features designed to help protect tanks and onboard systems in colder weather.

This is an area where it’s particularly important to compare individual vehicles rather than making assumptions based purely on the badge on the front.

When several people are sleeping, cooking and spending considerably more time inside a motorhome, moisture can build up. That’s why ventilation deserves a place on your buying checklist alongside heating and insulation.

Look at how effectively the motorhome can be ventilated and consider the windows and blinds provided.

The best winter motorhome for you should make it possible to balance warmth with sensible ventilation rather than forcing you to choose between the two.

The position of tanks and pipework and the protection afforded to them can all become more relevant in colder conditions.

Rather than assuming a vehicle is automatically suitable for winter use, ask the dealership about the specification of the particular model you’re considering and any precautions recommended by its manufacturer.

This is especially worthwhile when buying used, as specifications and designs can vary significantly between different manufacturers, models and model years.

In summer, much of motorhome life takes place outdoors. Winter touring can mean significantly more time inside.

Think about:

• Is there enough comfortable seating?
• Can you cook without getting in everyone else’s way?
• Is there somewhere to leave coats and footwear?
• Can people move around comfortably?
• Is there enough storage?
• Does the sleeping arrangement work without compromising the living space?

Dicksons of Perth’s current new motorhome range includes layouts featuring fixed island beds, single beds, drop-down beds, end lounges, separate washrooms, garages and family living areas, illustrating how much choice there can be when comparing layouts.

Winter touring has a habit of making seemingly small layout compromises considerably more noticeable.

Buying new can give you access to current layouts, onboard technology and manufacturer warranty cover, while the used market provides a wider choice of model years and specifications at different budgets.

With a used motorhome, condition becomes particularly important. Check the heating and habitation systems and pay close attention to evidence of water ingress or damp.

At Dicksons of Perth, used motorhomes are put through its AWS-accredited workshop before sale, including a habitation check, mechanical inspection and damp survey.

The important thing isn’t simply choosing new or used. It’s finding a motorhome whose condition, specification and layout match how you intend to use it.

Hiring can provide an opportunity to experience the sleeping arrangements, kitchen, storage and general layout before making a larger investment. Dicksons of Perth offers motorhome and campervan hire from Perth and promotes this specifically as a way to “try before you buy”.

It’s particularly useful if you’re unsure whether you’d prefer a compact campervan or the additional living space offered by a larger motorhome.

Consider asking:

• What heating system does this model use?
• How is the vehicle insulated?
• How are the fresh and waste-water systems configured?
• What ventilation does it provide?
• How well does the layout work when everyone is indoors?
• Is there sufficient storage for winter touring?
• Are there any cold-weather precautions recommended for this model?
• If buying used, has the habitation area and damp condition been checked?
• What warranty applies to the vehicle?

The answers can help you compare vehicles on something more meaningful than appearance or specification lists alone.

If you’d like to tour throughout the year, think about those cold mornings, dark evenings and days when the Scottish weather keeps everyone inside. Heating, insulation, ventilation, water systems, storage and layout can suddenly become every bit as important as the features that first caught your eye.

Dicksons of Perth currently offers both new and used motorhomes, with its new range including Itineo, Malibu, Pilote, Rapido and Roller Team.

Browse the latest motorhomes for sale or visit the Perth dealership to compare layouts and discuss which models could suit the way you plan to tour.