Tricks for Staying Warm in Your Motor Coach This Winter

While many think of the summer period as the primary one for motor coach and related forms of travel, there's no rule saying you can't take such trips during winter months as well. As long as you're taking the right safety precautions, both while driving and while storing the coach, these vehicles can be used to great effect throughout the year.

At Newell Coach, we're proud to not only assist clients with building every element of their own custom luxury motor coach, from the Newell Cockpit to numerous other features, but also to provide tips and expertise on how to utilize and care for your vehicle throughout the year. What are some general recommendations we often make on how to properly use and maintain your luxury coach this winter, plus for staying warm within it if you're traveling to cold locations? Here are several.

Initial Preparation

If you know you'll be using your motor coach during the winter season, it pays to perform a few areas of initial preparation. Here are several themes to consider:

• Battery: Just as with your home vehicle, you'll want to ensure that the battery is in good shape. Storing a motor coach during colder months often means more wrenching and touching of cables and wires than at other times, which can lead to corrosion. Be sure to clean them up and store them properly before settling into storage yourself - we recommend re-applying a fresh coat of grease to terminals and hardware.
• Window insulation: Motor coach windows are one of the top sources of heat loss during colder months, so the addition of either insulating material or curtains is recommended. This will ensure that the interior doesn't become too cold or drafty due to large holes and cracks in your windows.
• Pipes and plumbing: Your motor coach also has a network of pipes and tubes that can potentially freeze during colder months. If you know or anticipate your coach will be in a cold part of the country, be sure to drain these tanks before settling in for a night - water expands when it freezes, which could lead to damage.
• Check/upgrade existing HVAC system: Finally, before you make any major winter trips in your motor coach, you should check on the type of HVAC system that's present in your vehicle. Many come with a furnace, and some with a heat pump; some will actually use both these portions of the system to regulate temperature within the vehicle. If you have any questions on how to use these systems, check with your motor coach manufacturer first for exact procedures.
• Propane: If your coach does indeed utilize a furnace for heat, it will require propane to function. Ensure you have a full supply on hand before going on any trips, and continue to monitor levels throughout your excursion.

Staying Warm During Winter Travels

Once you have some of the simple preparation elements handled, there are a few ways you can help keep you and other luxury motor coach occupants warm during your travels:

• Space heaters: Especially if your coach does not have a furnace, but even if it does, space heaters are a great supplement for winter warmth. There are some readily available models that can even be plugged into your vehicle's power supply, helping you maintain an extra level of warmth inside the car while it charges.
• Keep cabinet doors open: If you have any pipes that run through your cabinets, which is common in many luxury coaches, keep them open during your journeys to add another supplemental heating source. This will allow pipes to avoid any freezing that could potentially cause damage, while also releasing any built-up moisture in the air.
• Avoid drafts: The best way to maintain warmth in your luxury coach during winter travels is to simply avoid large drafts. These can come from windows and doorways; we advise insulating them as much as possible and closing cabinets when not in use. Also be sure to keep the doors between your living area and your engine compartment closed when driving - there is a serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if these are not, which could lead to serious injury or death.
• Keep warm clothes: In certain particularly cold settings where the coach has been turned off for several hours in a row, the simple reality is that it will take some time to warm up. For this reason, keeping warm clothes nearby is always a good idea.

Driving Safety for Motor Coaches in Winter

Finally, anyone taking trips in their luxury motor coach this winter must take the proper driving precautions. Here are some basics:

• Ensure tire quality: If you're taking a winter road trip, be sure to double-check your tires beforehand. In this cold season especially, the air inside tire cavities can freeze and crack, which could lead to a blowout or slow leak. Ensure proper pressure and sealant is present in each tire, as well as check for any signs of cracking or damage.
• Slow and steady: Naturally, even with the best of tires, going too fast is going to increase your risk of a crash. Be sure that your speeds are safe for whatever road conditions may be present - particularly slick or icy roads can cause problems for even experienced drivers. Avoid sharp turns if possible, and utilize ABS technology when applicable to ensure you maintain control.
• Dry roads: In general, the best conditions for luxury motor coaches take place when precipitation is minimal and temperatures are warm enough that ice or snow doesn't form on roads. If you're going to be taking a trip during a particularly cold season this year, it's a good idea to check ahead with local forecasts to find out if precipitation is a possibility.
• Take proper breaks: If you're going to be on the road for a long period of time, it's important that your passengers take regular rest stops. Keep in mind that you won't want anyone wandering off from the bus or motor coach as well, as this increases risk of injury.

For more on how to stay warm and safe in your motor coach during any winter trip, or to learn about any of our luxury motor coach products, speak to the staff at Newell Coach today.