Living in an RV During the Winter: 5 Tips & Tricks

As the chilly winds of winter approach, embracing the adventure of living in an RV during the cold weather months is both thrilling and challenging. For those intrepid souls embarking on winter RV camping, armed with a winterized camper or a winter travel trailer, the frosty beauty of the outdoors comes hand in hand with unique challenges. Navigating the icy terrain while keeping your RV cozy and functional demands a specific set of skills and knowledge. In this insightful article, we’ll delve into the art of winter RV living, providing you with invaluable tips and tricks to make your cold-weather RV experience not only survivable but genuinely enjoyable.

From mastering the intricacies of winterized campers to understanding the nuances of winter RV camping, join us as we unlock the secrets to staying warm, comfortable, and worry-free while living in an RV or travel trailer amidst the winter wonderland. Whether you’re a seasoned winter traveler or a newcomer to the world of cold-weather RV adventures, this guide is your essential companion for embracing the beauty of winter while on the road.

Is it Possible to Live in an RV During the Winter?

It is entirely possible to live in an RV/travel trailer or go camping during the winter. However, it does come with its own set of challenges. RVs, even those equipped with heating systems, are not as well-insulated as permanent homes. Therefore, staying warm and comfortable in winter conditions requires careful planning and preparation. Proper insulation, weatherproofing, and adequate heating systems are essential. Many RVers invest in skirting to protect the underside of the RV and prevent heat loss. Additionally, utilizing heated hoses, insulating windows, and draft stoppers can significantly improve the RV’s ability to retain heat. With the right equipment, knowledge, and preparation, living in an RV during the winter months can be a rewarding and adventurous experience.

Choosing the Right RV for Winter Living

The foundation of comfortable winter RV living starts with having the right vehicle. Four-season RVs are specifically designed to withstand cold temperatures and provide better insulation and protection for vital systems.

Key Features of Winter-Ready RVs:

• Enhanced Insulation: Look for RVs with high R-value insulation in walls, floor, and ceiling
• Enclosed and Heated Underbellies: These protect plumbing and tanks from freezing
• Dual-Pane Windows: These provide better insulation than single-pane alternatives
• Arctic Packages: Many manufacturers offer special cold-weather packages with additional insulation and heating elements for tanks

If you don’t currently own a four-season RV, you can still make modifications to improve your RV’s winter performance. Adding insulation to windows, installing proper skirting, and upgrading heating systems can significantly enhance your existing rig’s cold-weather capabilities.

Finding Suitable Winter RV Locations

When living in an RV in winter, location selection becomes critically important. Many campgrounds close seasonally, so research is essential to find year-round options.

Tips for Winter RV Parking:

• Full Hookups: Prioritize locations with full hookups to avoid water transportation and tank management in freezing temperatures
• Southern Exposure: Park where your RV receives maximum sunlight during winter days
• Wind Protection: Position your RV to minimize exposure to prevailing winter winds
• Accessibility: Ensure roads to your location remain accessible during snow events
• Proximity to Services: Stay near essential services in case of emergencies

Many RVers choose to migrate to southern states during winter months, but with proper preparation, winter RV camping can be enjoyable even in northern climates. Just ensure you have reliable access to power and are prepared for potential weather emergencies.

How Cold Is Too Cold for Winter RV Living?

Navigating the world of winter RV living is a complex task, hinging on a blend of factors: the RV’s insulation quality, the efficiency of its heating system, and the comfort threshold of its occupants. However, there’s a fundamental guideline regarding the tolerable coldness level for winter RV living.

When temperatures consistently plummet below freezing (32°F or 0°C), winter RV living becomes notably challenging. These frigid conditions significantly heighten the risk of frozen pipes, tanks, and essential RV systems. RVs are not inherently equipped to endure prolonged periods of extreme cold without robust insulation and effective heating mechanisms. Thus, a dependable heating system and ample insulation are vital to maintaining the interior temperature above freezing, especially if you haven’t transitioned to a fully winterized camper.

For RVers intending to brave exceedingly cold climates, investing in specialized winterization equipment is imperative. This includes heavy-duty insulation, Custom RV Skirting, heated hoses, and advanced heating systems tailored for sub-freezing temperatures. Regular weather monitoring and proactive steps, like allowing faucets to drip to maintain water flow, are crucial preventive measures.

Ultimately, determining the threshold of tolerable coldness for winter RV living is contingent upon the RV’s insulation quality, its heating capabilities, the level of preparedness, and the occupants’ resilience to cold weather. Choosing a properly winterized camper and carefully evaluating these factors, along with taking proactive precautions, are paramount to ensuring safety, comfort, and warmth during winter RV living adventures.

Tip 1: Add a Small Heater

If you are going to be spending the winter in the deep freeze (North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, etc.), you would be well served to put a small electric heater under your travel trailer and inside the RV skirting. Just having it under your RV and being able to plug in and turn it on is a huge help, and here is a small list of things to keep in mind with this tip:

• For the best results you will want to glue or screw (carefully) the heater to a piece of plywood or particle board. The reason for this is that many electric heaters have a safety switch that will turn the heater off when you trip on the cord and knock it over. This is good if you have it in your house and bad if you wake up to frozen pipes.
• This sort of goes without saying, but… make sure that the heater is placed near your water pipes. This is usually towards the back of the trailer and will help keep them from freezing.
• DO NOT USE A PROPANE HEATER! These can cause a build-up of carbon monoxide in your travel trailer and can be extremely dangerous during the winter!

Tip 2: Dehumidifier

A common problem when staying in a winterized camper for the winter is ice accumulating on your windows. It is amazing that you can be warm and comfortable in the RV and have two inches of ice on your windows. This phenomenon is not only annoying but can be bad for your windows.

What is happening is that the humid air you breathe out comes in contact with the freezing window, and it immediately freezes. The best way we have found to combat this is to decrease the humidity in your camper using a dehumidifier.

This one is made for RVs, and while it might not completely eliminate the problem, it significantly decreases the problem.

Tip 3: Heated Bed Covers

This one may sound like a luxury, but after a long winter day, it can be a sanity saver. It’s called a heated bed cover. They come in a variety of sizes and HIGHLY recommend dual temperature control. If there is one place you should be happy and get what you want, it should be in bed.

Tip 4: RV Skirting

Skirting Options:

• Commercial vinyl skirting from companies like Custom Skirting provides a tailored, durable solution
• DIY alternatives using foam board insulation, plywood, or even hay bales

Proper installation is crucial for effectiveness. Skirting should create a complete seal around the RV’s perimeter and be securely fastened to withstand wind. The enclosed area can be further heated with a small space heater in extreme conditions, but ensure proper safety precautions.

Tip 5: Heated Water Hose

The skirting will keep your tanks from freezing, but you are going to need to be able to get the water to your winterized camper. There are a variety of heated hoses to choose from, but most don’t add any heat line to wrap your brass fittings and keep the connections from freezing. We have remedies for that problem with an additional heat line to wrap the attachment.

Also, many hoses you have to turn off when summer comes around or the excess heat will melt your hose. We have a thermostatically controlled hose that will keep you flowing all winter—perfect for any winterized camper—and will automatically turn down the temperature when summer comes around to save the hose and money on the electric bill.

Emergency Preparedness for Winter RV Living

Being prepared for emergencies is crucial when living in an RV in winter, as systems are more vulnerable and help may be harder to access.

Winter Emergency Preparations:

• Maintain at least two weeks of food supplies
• Keep emergency water stored where it won’t freeze
• Have multiple heating options available
• Prepare an evacuation plan if conditions become unsafe

A well-stocked emergency kit should include basic tools, first aid supplies, communication devices, extra batteries, and winter-specific items like ice scrapers and hand warmers. For those interested in how to keep moisture out of your RV during winter emergencies, having moisture absorbers and dehumidifiers ready is essential.

Conclusion

Living in an RV in winter presents unique challenges, but with proper preparation and equipment, it can be a comfortable and rewarding experience. From choosing the right RV and location to implementing effective insulation and heating strategies, each element of winter preparation builds upon the others to create a safe, warm living environment.

The key to successful winter RV living lies in thorough preparation before cold weather arrives. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or full-on winter RV camping, start winterization processes early, test systems while temperatures are still moderate, and gradually build your winter RV skills through experience. With each winter season, you’ll refine your approach and discover what works best for your specific RV and lifestyle.

Despite the challenges, winter RV living offers unique rewards: snow-covered landscapes from the comfort of your cozy home, fewer crowds at popular destinations, and the satisfaction of successfully adapting to seasonal changes. With the right mindset, a properly winterized camper, and thorough preparation, your RV can be a comfortable haven throughout the winter months.

Experience the Nation’s #1 RV Skirting Solution for Winter Living!

When living in an RV in winter, proper skirting makes all the difference between comfort and constant struggle. Custom Skirting offers the ultimate solution with our exclusive “No-Snap, No-Gap” channel system that provides superior protection against harsh winter elements.

Unlike standard options, our skirting is blueprint and custom-tailored on-site for your specific RV, ensuring a perfect fit that effectively seals out snow, water, and freezing winds. With over a decade of testing in the harshest northern winters, our system has proven itself as the top choice for serious winter RVers.

The user-friendly design allows for quick installation and removal, making it perfect for seasonal travelers or those who move frequently. Don’t compromise on your winter comfort – get Custom Skirting today and transform your winter RV living experience!

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