---
title: VanCraft Winter Use Guide
description: VanCraft winter campervan use.
---
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1. [VanCraft Knowledge Base](https://go.van-craft.com/help?hsLang=en)
2. [Winterization](https://go.van-craft.com/help/winterization?hsLang=en)
October 14, 2026
# VanCraft Winter Use Guide
## This guide covers cold-weather camping and winter storage for the 2025-2026 VanCraft Allterra and other 2025 VanCraft vans with the Espar diesel heater. If your van is a 2024 or older model, it may have an AutoTerm heater and a different winterization procedure. Check the user manual for your model year or contact VanCraft support.
**The most important rule:** if the van will be in below-freezing temperatures, winterize the water system first. Water left in the tanks, lines or water heater can freeze, cause leaks and damage the van.
**Before a winter trip**
1. **Fill the diesel tank.** The diesel heater draws fuel from the van's main tank. Keep it at least 1/4 full; the heater will not run below 1/4 of a tank.
2. **Charge the house battery.** Keep it at 25% or higher (12.4 V or more is ideal). The heater and other systems can shut off when the battery is low.
3. **Test the heater at home.** Run it on high for 15 to 20 minutes to confirm it starts and to clear any carbon buildup.
4. **Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm** with the Test/Reset button.
5. **Check tire pressure** with an accurate gauge before you leave.
6. **Decide on water.** If temperatures will drop below freezing, winterize the water system before the trip (see "Winterizing the water system" below) and bring drinking water in jugs.
**Heating the van with the diesel heater**
Your van has an Espar diesel heater controlled by the Easy Start Pro controller. It runs with the engine off, and the inverter does not need to be on.
### **Starting and running the heater**
1. **Check fuel and battery:** diesel tank at least 1/4 full and house battery at 25% or higher.
2. **Make sure the heater's air intake and exhaust under the van are clear** of snow, ice and debris.
3. **Turn the heater on with the Easy Start Pro controller** and select Power Mode (the manual heat setting). Power Mode gives steadier combustion and less soot than thermostat mode.
4. **Run it on high for 10 to 15 minutes**, then lower it to a comfortable setting.
A brief puff of smoke at startup is normal while the combustion chamber warms up.
### **Turning the heater off**
1. **Press OFF on the controller.**
2. **Let the cool-down cycle finish.** Wait at least 10 minutes before switching off any 12 V power, including breakers, fuses, the master disconnect or the solar controller. Cutting power while the heater is running or cooling down can damage it.
### **Heater cautions**
- If you smell exhaust inside the van, turn the heater off immediately and contact VanCraft service.
- Use clean diesel only. Never use biodiesel or fuel additives.
- Do not run the heater above 13,000 feet elevation.
- If the heater is not in regular use, run it on high for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 4 weeks.
**During a winter trip**
- Keep cabin above 65 degrees.
- Open all base cabinets and bench seats to add warm air flow to the garage and plumbing behind drawers and cabinets.
- Use heat tape and pads around plumbing and water tank to prevent freezing. The garage is much colder than the cabin.
- Use a portable heater in the garage to keep the temperature above freezing.
- Run the water often to keep the flow moving.
**IF THE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING OR CLOSE TO FREEZING OUTSIDE FULLY WINTERIZE THE WATER SYSTEM**
**Power and batteries in the cold**
- The lithium house batteries are self-heating. They use a small amount of their own charge to stay warm, so expect slightly faster battery drain in cold weather.
- Keep the house battery at 25% or higher. Run the engine or plug into shore power to recharge.
- Snow on the roof blocks the solar panels. Only clear it from the ground, and never climb the ladder or go on the roof when it is snowy or icy.
- The electric water heater uses a lot of power. Only use it if the water system is not winterized, and run the engine or use shore power while it heats.
**Condensation and ventilation**
Breathing, cooking and wet gear add moisture to the air, and in winter it condenses on cold windows and walls. Trapped moisture can turn to ice and cause mold.
- **Ventilate every time you use the van.** Crack a window or run the exhaust fan, even when it is cold outside.
- **Run the diesel heater.** Dry heat helps remove excess moisture from the air.
- **Keep window shades as close to the glass as possible.** Ice can form when condensation gets trapped between a shade and the window.
- **Wipe up condensation and melted snow** right away, and dry wet gear outside the living area when you can.
- **Fix any leaks immediately.**
**Driving and parking in snow and ice**
- Accelerate and brake gently on slippery roads.
- Do not use cruise control on icy or wet roads.
- Keep the front grille clear of snow so the engine gets airflow.
- Never idle the engine for long periods to stay warm, and never run it in an enclosed space such as a garage. Use the diesel heater instead.
- Do not park where snow can drift against the heater exhaust or the van's tailpipe.
- For more on handling, see the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter operating instructions.
**Winterizing the water system**
Winterize before the van is exposed to any chance of freezing temperatures, whether you are camping or storing it. The grey water tank sits under the van and is especially exposed. Before you start, park on level ground and make sure the water pump is off.
1. **Drain the fresh water tank.** Open the plumbing access door on the rear face of the utility cabinet, below the water control panel. Turn the drain valve on the floor of the cabinet and leave it open.
2. **Drain the grey water tank** at a dump station. Open the dump valve and leave it open.
3. **Turn the winterize valve to "Winterize."** It is on the plumbing control panel on the rear face of the utility cabinet, under the bed.
4. **Prepare the outdoor shower (if equipped).** Connect the spray-down port hose to the outdoor water heater and make sure the shower head is turned off.
5. **Drain the electric water heater.** Turn the sink and shower hot water valves on. Open the gray drain spigot on the bottom left of the water heater and let the water drain. Leave the drain open, then close the sink and shower valves.
6. **Blow out the lines with compressed air.** Use a compressor that puts out at least 45 PSI with a standard tire chuck, connected to the Schrader valve on the bottom plumbing plate. With the system under pressure, open each of these until water stops, then close it: shower cold, shower hot, sink cold, sink hot, and the hot water tank drain. Finally, open the outdoor shower head with the blue flow knob at maximum, and turn it off when water stops.
7. **Remove the sink faucet aerator** by turning the tip of the faucet counterclockwise. Store it somewhere safe until spring.
8. **For extreme or long cold spells**, pour RV antifreeze into the sink and shower drains to fill the P-traps.
**Warning:** Only use non-toxic RV antifreeze. Never use automotive antifreeze or coolant in the water system; it contains toxic ethylene glycol.
When you're done, there should be no water left in the system. To use water again, close the drains, turn the winterize valve back, refill the fresh tank, run the pump to flush the lines, refill the water heater before turning it on, and reinstall the aerator.
**Storing the van for winter**
For 2025 vans and 2024 vans with the Renogy Core One controller, do these steps after winterizing the water system:
1. **Turn off the refrigerator** and leave its door ajar. Dometic models use the inside power button; Whynter models unplug from the side.
2. **Turn off the 150 A DC-DC charge breaker and the 200 A inverter-charger breaker** on the power panel.
3. **Set the 40 A breaker.** Turn it off if you store the van indoors. Leave it on if you store it outdoors, so the solar panels can keep the battery charged.
4. **Turn off the red load output switch** in the utility bay next to the solar controller.
5. **Turn off the air conditioner (if equipped)** by holding the power button until the blue standby light goes out, and make sure the roof Aux switch is off.
6. **Disconnect the negative lead of the starter battery** (see the Mercedes owner's manual). You can connect trickle chargers to the power panel and the starter battery instead.
7. **Check that the Renogy Core One screen shows no battery draw.**
8. **Close all roof vents, windows and doors.** A car cover is optional.
During storage, run the diesel heater on high for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 4 weeks if you can.
**If the diesel heater won't start or shuts off**
- **Fuel:** make sure the diesel tank is at least 1/4 full. You should see air bubbles moving through the fuel line to the heater.
- **Battery:** make sure the house battery is at 25% or higher, ideally above 12.4 V.
- **Airflow:** check that the intake and exhaust under the van are not blocked by snow, ice or debris.
- **Mode:** make sure Power Mode (manual) is selected on the controller.
- **Elevation:** the heater does not run above 13,000 feet.
**Videos and more help**
Scan a code with your phone camera to open it.
|  **Winterization video** Step-by-step winterizing walkthrough [youtube.com/watch?v=nUv2zeQlO5A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUv2zeQlO5A) |  **Diesel heater help** Controller tutorial, troubleshooting and manuals [go.van-craft.com/help/diesel-heater-help](https://go.van-craft.com/help/diesel-heater-help?hsLang=en) |
| --- | --- |
Contact VanCraft support at support@van-craft.com or 385-515-0948. You can find the full [2025-2026 Allterra User Manual](https://go.van-craft.com/help/2025-allterra-user-manual-?hsLang=en) and [winterization guides for other model years](https://go.van-craft.com/help/winterization?hsLang=en) in the VanCraft Knowledge Base.
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://go.van-craft.com/help/frequently-asked-questions?hsLang=en)
- [Maintenance Recommendations](https://go.van-craft.com/help/maintenance-recommendations?hsLang=en)
- [Links for Our Recommended Purchases](https://go.van-craft.com/help/links-for-our-recommended-purchases?hsLang=en)
- [VanCraft Guidebook Videos](https://go.van-craft.com/help/vancraft-guidebook-videos?hsLang=en)
- [Winterization](https://go.van-craft.com/help/winterization?hsLang=en)
- [Diesel Heater Help](https://go.van-craft.com/help/diesel-heater-help?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [AutoTerm (2024 or older)](https://go.van-craft.com/help/diesel-heater-help?hsLang=en#autoterm-2024-or-older)
- [Espar (2025 and newer)](https://go.van-craft.com/help/diesel-heater-help?hsLang=en#espar-2025-and-newer)
- [VanCraft User Manuals](https://go.van-craft.com/help/vancraft-user-manuals?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [2019-2022](https://go.van-craft.com/help/vancraft-user-manuals?hsLang=en#2019-2022)
- [2023-2024](https://go.van-craft.com/help/vancraft-user-manuals?hsLang=en#2023-2024)
- [2025](https://go.van-craft.com/help/vancraft-user-manuals?hsLang=en#2025)
- [Manufacturer and Appliance Manuals](https://go.van-craft.com/help/manufacturer-and-appliance-manuals?hsLang=en)
# VanCraft LLC
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