Finally March is here – do you feel the tingle?
There is something quite special about the light in March. Even though the thermometer still flirts with sub-zero temperatures at night in many places in the country, we know what is coming. The asphalt dries up, the Fricamp app begins to glow with activity, and the motorhome – our faithful companion – stands waiting patiently under the tarpaulin or in the garage.
I'll be honest with you: I am better at coffee breaks in the sun than I am at cleaning. But after over ten years with a motorhome, I have learned one thing the hard way: sloppiness with the spring cleaning always punishes itself. There is nothing worse than being parked beautifully by a mountain lake, only to discover that the water pump is frost-damaged or that the living area battery is flat as a pancake.
So, get out the bucket, cloth, and determination. Here is my personal walkthrough to get the cabin on wheels ready for new adventures.
1. Exterior check: The shell must stay tight
The first meeting with the motorhome after the winter can be brutal. If it has stood outside, it is likely covered in a layer of green algae, road dust, and perhaps remains of old salt. Salt is our worst enemy here in the country.
Start with a thorough wash. And I don't just mean a quick round with the high-pressure washer (be careful with that around vents and moldings, by the way!). Use a sponge and motorhome shampoo. While you wash, go over all joints and moldings with a magnifying glass gaze.
The weather in Norway is merciless
We like to believe that spring is mild, but we all know that March and April can offer everything from sunshine to full storm. It is therefore absolutely essential to check skylights and windows for cracks. Have the gaskets dried out? Does the silicone around the skylight look rotten? Fix it before you leave.
Speaking of unpredictable weather: Even if we plan for sun, we must be rigged for the opposite. One who got to experience this recently is Ruben. He took the trip to Halden and got a taste of the fact that Norwegian weather knows no calendar.
Check out his video here: To Halden in a motorhome - Full hailstorm in Eastern Norway (Vanlife in Norway). It is a good reminder of why your roof must be tight and why we love this lifestyle – at least it never gets boring! It is also a good test of whether you have packed the right equipment to withstand a blow.
The tires – your only contact with the ground
While you crawl around the car: Check the tires. Motorhomes stand still a lot, and that creates a risk for «flat spots» (that the tires become oval). Also look for cracks in the rubber. Remember that tires are perishable goods. If they are older than 5-7 years, you should consider changing them, regardless of tread depth. Check the DOT code on the tire sidewall to find the production date.
2. The inner life: Water, gas, and electricity
When the exterior shines (or at least is clean), it is time to move inside. Here there are three things that count: Water, Gas, and Electricity. The holy trinity for us free-campers.
The water system: The battle against the bacteria
Do you remember that time you forgot to empty the tank completely before winter? Don't do it again. But even with empty tanks, biofilm and nastiness can form during the winter.
- Clean the tank: Fill the water tank with water and a suitable cleaning agent (there are special agents at motorhome stores, or you can use chlorine/citric acid if you know what you are doing and rinse well).
- Run through the system: Open all taps (cold and hot) until it smells of cleaning agent. Let it stand a bit.
- Rinse, rinse, rinse: This is most important. Empty everything out, fill up with clean water, and run through until all taste and smell are gone.
Check taps and connections for frost damage at the same time. A small crack in the mixer tap in the bathroom can ruin your whole floor over time.
Gas – do not take chances
Connect the gas bottle. Spray soapy water or leak detection spray on the connection and the hose. Do you see bubbles? Then you have a leak. Replace the hose if it starts to look brittle (check the date stamp here too). Light all burners, fridge, and heater to check that the burners are clean and working as they should. Remember to change the battery in the gas alarm and the smoke detector!
Battery hunt
Has the living area battery survived the cold? If you haven't kept it on maintenance charging, the tension is great (literally). Measure the voltage. If it is a lead battery showing under 12.0V, it has likely taken damage. Lithium batteries withstand storage better, but must be woken to life. Charge everything up to 100% before the first trip.
3. Inspiration and packing: The free-camping spirit
When the technical stuff is in place, the fun part comes. Getting the car ready for coziness. Air out pillows and duvets. Wash the fridge (use vinegar water against smell). Check that you have enough toilet chemicals (or bedding/sawdust, if you have a compost toilet).
Now that the car is starting to get ready, it is allowed to dream away a little. It is after all the freedom we chase. We want out on the small gravel roads, find the perfect spot by the fjord, and just be.
Do you need a little visual motivation to get up the steam with the bucket? Then I recommend taking a look at this mood report from Emily Skrede: Vanlife Norway #visitnorway #travel #motorhome #vanlife. This video captures the essence of why we bother with all this work. It is about the quiet mornings, the view, and the freedom to travel where we want.
Update the Fricamp app
Before you roll out of the driveway, remember to update your Fricamp app. We constantly add new places, and users like you leave fresh reviews. Has a new toll road appeared? Is your favorite spot still available? A little check in the app saves you a lot of frustration (and reversing on narrow forest roads).
Quick checklist before departure
To keep it completely simple, here is my "Must do" list for March:
- Air pressure: Check pressure in all tires (also the spare wheel!).
- Fluids: Check oil level, check coolant and windshield washer fluid.
- Lights: Walk a lap around the car while someone else presses the brake and puts on turn signals.
- Leveling blocks: Are they lying where they should?
- Power cable: Check that it has no damage.
- The toolbox: Do you have a jack, duct tape, and cable ties? (A free-camper's best friends).
Ready, set, go!
The spring cleaning can seem like a chore, but look at it as part of the trip. For every stroke with the sponge, you are one step closer to the campfire, the sunset, and that first cup of coffee in the doorway. Do the job now, so you avoid using vacation days to fix things that should have been in order.
Tip of the month: Smear silicone stick on the rubber gaskets around doors and hatches now this spring. It keeps the rubber soft and tight, and prevents the doors from freezing shut if we get a last cold spell (it is after all Norway!).
See you along the road – have a good trip!