Did you know? You can RV all year round! Many travelers love to explore in the winter so they can enjoy snow-covered views and activities like snowboarding, skiing, and more. Prepare for cold weather RVing with our 10 top tips:
Have the Right Kind of RV
Before you set out on a snow-filled adventure, make sure you have the right kind of RV for the job. For the most enjoyable winter travel experience, we suggest camping in a fully enclosed and insulated four season RV.
Check the Forecast Before You Head Out
Check the forecast in the area where you’ll be traveling BEFORE you hit the road. If there’s a snowstorm coming that your RV can’t handle, it might be best to postpone the trip or adjust the itinerary.
Make Sure Campgrounds Are Open
Campgrounds can have seasonal availability. Many popular spots close during winter months due to inaccessibility or management preference. Check the campground’s availability and hours of operations before you leave to make sure they are open for business during the colder months.
Have a Reliable Heat Source
Double check that your RV’s furnace is in working order before hitting the road. If your unit uses propane, bring additional tanks with you. Many RVers also use electric space heaters or onboard fireplaces as added heat sources on chilly days.*
Protect Your Plumbing and Holding Tanks
Avoid the hassle of frozen pipes and holding tanks by adding RV-specific antifreeze to your tanks and using heat tape on your hoses and pipes for added insulation. For those with fresh-water hookups, invest in a heated water hose to minimize the risks of freezing.
Park in the Sun
Use the sun to provide an additional layer of protection to your RV in the winter months. Parking in the sun can minimize the risk of frozen pipes and ice, and help your RV stay warmer than parking in the shade or under tree cover.
Use Drapes, Curtains, and Rugs for Additional Insulation
Heavy drapes and curtains can provide additional insulation on your RV’s windows by blocking cool air from entering your RV. Consider adding a few heavy rugs on the floor and using door draft blockers to keep chilly air from coming into your unit.
Check Seals and Weather Stripping
Make sure your weather stripping and seals are fully intact for additional protection against drafts and moisture. Swapping out old or broken seals and weather stripping doesn’t take too long and is definitely worth the extra effort before heading to your destination.
Consider a Skirt
An RV skirt is a material that is placed around the bottom of the RV that minimizes wind and cold weather from entering your unit. You can DIY or buy!
Use Your Oven
When you’re finished cooking a meal in your RV’s oven, leave the oven door open as it begins to cool to provide additional heat to your RV.*
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*Don’t leave a space heater or oven unattended and always travel with a fire extinguisher.
5 Responses
I’m not sure what the ‘Right Kind of RV’ is… I would love more detailed information on what I should and should NOT be buying for winter travel since I’m shopping for our first Class C later this year. I’ve done lots of research on Tiffin, Winnebago, Jayco… I’ve never seen the words “fully enclosed” or “insulated” or “four season” in their specs. Can you suggest a ‘four season’ class c model?
I have a Keystone Fuzion toyhauler model 419 my wife & I are full time RV’rs currently staying in Colorado for work. Our RV is rated as a Four season RV with a Blizzard package but we have still had our share of dilemmas in cold temperatures we put heat tape and insulated our main drain line coming from the Black and grey tanks. We use a maserator pump and a heated hose for draining the tanks and a heated hose to fill our fresh water tank. We are currently having temperatures below freezing and our water pump is frozen still trying to deal with that. I think your best bet for freezing problems is Florida, New Mexico or California for the winter. Good luck and don’t believe everything a dealer tells you. Talk to people who live in the rigs full time.
I’m from NM and we get loads of snow people ski Taos and forget that even lower areas are like 3k-6k feet above sea level just FYI it get very cold
Hi Chris
Spend some time reading the manufacturer’s specs and videos. I own a Unity Leisure Travel Van. It is warm and toasty. The videos on the Unity’s will discuss R factor. Wishing you good luck with your future RV purchase.
Hi Chris,
I suggest you talk to other RV owners, some reputable/knowledgeable dealers, and if it were me….. I’d actually CALL or TOUR the manufacturers directly.
Research “how” RV’s are built, plumbed, waterproofed/sealed/caulked, insulated, etc.
RV’s are similar to mobile homes (not including wheels) – some have thin walls, flooring/roofing insulation which is pretty thin, and some windows which aren’t very “thermal”.
It pays to do your research, since an RV is your “home away from home”, and sometimes during emergencies, it can be your only shelter.
Hot weather is uncomfortable, and can make you sweat. Cold weather can kill you. I’m from Wisconsin, and being “caught in the cold” is NO picnic !!