For most people, RVing is a two-season way to travel, three at the most. Some hardcore RVers like to be in their rides all year round including winter of course. RVing and living in your RV during the winter gives you a whole new way to experience this great country and much smaller crowds at some of its greatest treasures. Winter living in an RV does take a little bit more work and preparation than traveling during the summer. Here are some of our tips on winter living in an RV.
Winter RV Living Tips and Tricks
Start with a Proper Model for Winter RV Living
Unfortunately, not every RV out there is set up for winter camping. Sure, there are ways you can make any RV better suited to cold winter camping, but you’ll be too miserable fighting the cold and elements to have a good time. That’s why if you intend to RV or live in your RV during the winter it is best to start off with a strong model.
Look for models labeled as four seasons or winter ready but don’t just believe everything a label says, do your homework also. Check on the RV’s insulation, how its appliances hold up during cold snaps and try to find other RVers who have utilized the model during the winter to gauge if a model you’re looking at can stand up to the elements.
Seal It
Even a four-season model has some vulnerabilities that can let the cold in such as entryways, windows, and storage compartments. Adding extra insulation to these areas or adding weather strips (especially to entryways) can help keep the interior of your RV nice and balmy. The good news is that extra insulation is not too expensive and can make a world of difference when it comes to enjoying your winter RV experiences. Look for foam board with a high R-value to get a leg up on the season.
Skirt It
Why more RVers don’t use RV skirting is beyond me sometimes. Skirting an RV has been proven to reduce the use of propane to keep the RV warm, keep cold winds from blowing underneath your RV’s body and can even act as a type of storage beneath your ride. There are several types of RV skirts available and while you don’t need to shell out thousands of dollars to get a good skirt, paying a little extra for something that is high quality is never a bad idea.
Warming Pipes and Hoses
No matter if you seal and skirt, there can be times when cold is too much, and your RV’s pipes and hoses may freeze over. If you’re serious about winter living in an RV, your pipes and hoses need to be too. You can add foam insulation around your pipes and hoses, simple foam insulation in a can work wonders to keep things flowing, and if you hate a hose freezing over, you can buy a heated model to make sure freezing is a thing of the past.
Ask, Get Advice, Reach Out
The best advice about winter living in an RV will come from RVers who have done it time and time again and have honed it down to a science. Ask around the forums, RV parks and anywhere else you can reach out to get some advice. You may get some surprising tips that could make or break your winter RVing.
Follow these tips and find some more out from others who have done it to make sure you are prepared for winter living in an RV. You may hate it, or you may find out it’s the best time you’ve ever had in your RV. The only way to find out is to try it for yourself.