Winter in an off-grid lorry is a season of its own. It’s colder, quieter, slower — and it asks you to live with more intention than any other time of year. This is my first winter living full-time in the lorry, and over time I’ve found a rhythm that works for both my lifestyle and my body.
Keeping Warm
Heat is the biggest challenge. My little log burner is the heart of the lorry — once it’s going, the space feels instantly alive. I’ve recently started installing a diesel heater as well, which will make early mornings easier. For now, the log burner does most of the work.
Up in the bed area above the cab, it’s surprisingly toasty. I use teddy-bear bedding, thick blankets, and a hot water bottle if the temperature really drops. Inside that cocoon of warmth, winter feels almost gentle. Plus obviously with 3 cats and a dog it gets super warm, especially when they all go under the duvet lol.
Managing Water in Freezing Weather
All my drinking water stays inside in large bottles so it never freezes. Outside, I have a main tank — and a couple of times this winter I’ve woken to find it iced over completely.
My solution is simple but effective:
I chip through the ice, drop my USB shower pump into the tank, and pump what I need into containers. I then filter the water inside the lorry to make it safe for drinking. It’s not glamorous, but it works — and there’s something oddly satisfying about this winter ritual.
Solar Power in Dark Months
Even in winter, my power setup has held up well.
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1500 watts of solar panels
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600 amps of lithium batteries
The sunlight is limited, but so far I haven’t run into major issues. I’m careful with usage and keep high-draw appliances to a minimum. In winter, power isn’t about abundance — it’s about balance.
Cooking & Staying Cosy
I use a slow cooker when the batteries allow it, but most of the time I cook on top of the log burner with my cast-iron Dutch oven. It saves gas and makes the whole lorry smell like proper home-cooked food.
Evenings are peaceful. The cats curl up by the fire, the dog settles on my lap, and I climb into my warm bed early with my iPad to watch something comforting. Winter becomes a soft, quiet routine.
Living With Fibromyalgia in the Cold
Cold weather can trigger flare-ups, so I have to pace myself more in winter. Some days I can do more, and some days I can’t. I listen to my body, keep warm, rest when I need to, and don’t push through pain the way I used to. I also find when the clocks fall back it is especially hard for my body to cope with the much darker evenings, and clock watching is now banned, I eat when I 'feel' hungry not when the clock says it is time, and I go to bed when I 'feel' tired and not when the clock says it is bed time!
The Mental Side of Winter
With the shorter days, low motivation can creep in. Lack of sun hits me harder than the cold sometimes. But winter also gives me permission to slow down — to lean into cosy evenings, simple food, warm bedding, and a quieter pace.
Winter Isn’t Easy — But It’s Manageable
Off-grid winter living is a mixture of challenges and small joys. The cold can be harsh and the routines are different, but there’s a peace in it too. A kind of simplicity that only winter brings.
And in the lorry, tucked away with the animals, the fire crackling, and the world quiet outside — winter feels like something I can meet gently, one slow day at a time.
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