Winter RV Camping the Right Way
Winter RV camping can be so much fun if you’re willing to put in a bit of extra effort to make your rig warm and cozy.
If you love skiing and snow, winter RV camping can be a blast, but you’ll want to take extra care to keep parts of your RV from freezing.
As a family-run business, we know the importance of creating those incredible memories with the kids. Winter camping provides an opportunity to create lots of fun stories they will tell for years and years, and traditions the kids will want to pass on to their own children.
Here are some tips on how to make winter RV camping more comfortable, less stressful, and allow you to focus on fun with the family.
Pay Special Attention to Insulation and Moisture
When the temperatures fall below freezing, you will be glad you put the time into insulating your RV.
Here are a few areas that will require special attention.
Windows and doors.
Some RVers like these folks like to put shrink wrap over their screen doors and windows. This provides an extra barrier between you and the cold.
Slides
Cold weather RV camping presents a bigger moisture problem than camping during warmer weather. As it freezes, moisture can travel upwards and expand, so it’s recommended to protect from moisture from the beginning.
These campers recommend using a slide cover to prevent snow from sitting on top of your slides.
You’ll want to be sure to add extra insulation to your slides as well. Using foam insulation cutouts and foil insulation can significantly reduce heat from escaping.
See this video for more tips on insulating your slides.
Floors
Your floors can be a shock of cold to your warm feet in the morning.
Take the extra step of placing foam pads in high traffic areas to protect your feet from the cold.
Use a snap-on RV skirt to protect the underbelly of your rig from blowing snow and moisture while winter RV camping.
This will help with keeping the elements under your RV from being damaged and freezing in the cold, and will also help with the temperature of your floors.
Water Hose
You can buy a heated water hose if you like, but you can also accomplish the same thing by using heat tape and foam insulation.
You may want to wrap the spigot and the entrance to the RV to keep water from freezing where the hose connects.
Use a 40 watt bulb mounted inside the compartment where the host connects to the RV to provide an extra heat source.
Be extra cautious with this and make sure you mount it properly. This can be a safety hazard if done incorrectly.
Sewer Hose
In really cold temperatures, you will only want to drain your sewer hose when you need to, rather than leaving it connected. If you leave it connected you will end up with matter freezing inside the pipes and creating a huge mess.
Staying Warm Can Be a Challenge
Space heaters are a lifesaver when camping in the winter.
The best space heater for winter camping is one with an oscillation feature, as this will circulate the air better than a stationary heater and helps reduce condensation.
Be sure to place the space heater so that it does not disrupt the thermostat readings. You want your space heaters to be a supplement, not a replacement for your RV heater.
CAUTION: Make sure you do not leave space heaters on while you sleep and follow proper safety as recommended on the packaging. It is recommended that you have a carbon monoxide detector if you use a space heater to keep you and your family safe.
Use a heated blanket to stay warm while you sleep. You can get dual control blankets when you and your spouse prefer different temperatures.
Many of these tips were found in this video, so give it a watch for more in-depth tips.
Stay Safe and Warm
Winter RV Camping can be a lot of fun but comes with its own challenges.
Stop by East Coast Campers and More, a family-owned and operated Delaware RV Dealer, to consult with our maintenance team and let our family help your family stay safe, dry, and warm during the winter months.
Author: Kristi Durham
Recent Comments