Winter RVing is a real treat for those of you who have never tried it, especially in the south where we can enjoy cool weather without ice and snow longer than the rest of the country! It does have its differences, though, so here are some things to keep in mind for cold weather RVing!
The arch nemesis of the winter RV enthusiast? Water. The ace up your sleeve? Warmth! Be sure to address the following moisture issues to keep your RV kicking until spring:
Check the ground under your RV as well as any wet spots around the ceiling. If your RV is leaking anywhere it must be stopped before the cold comes. Frozen water expands and can ruin any area it’s crept into should it get cold enough to freeze.
Protect the pipes. Any pipes with liquid that do not contain the antifreeze specified in your owners’ manual must be kept warm or have antifreeze added if applicable and so directed in your manual.
Avoid condensation. This means that when you use the cooktop, when you take a shower, or when you find your windows beginning to fog up for any reason, crack the windows until the condensation dissipates. If it gets trapped and frozen, you’ll be dealing with more damage, particularly around windows. Another great option is to use a dehumidifier or a product like ‘No Damp’ crystals to keep the windows closed and preserve warmth.
If there are floor-level pipes in your RV that are not well insulated, you’ll want to leave doors and cabinets that expose them open so that the heater running in the RV can reach them and help keep them warm to avoid bursting.
To block cold wind from cooling the undercarriage, you can add skirting to the bottom edge of the RV.
Keep your RV sheltered whenever possible. If you’re visiting a relative, this could mean their garage, or if you’re visiting an RV park, a spot that is near a building to shelter it from cold winds that is preferably in the sun. Attempt to keep your RV and water tank warm!
Also, fill the water tank fully then disconnect it. Keeping it hooked up to a ground water source may continually make it colder. Refill only as needed.
If you know you want to do cold weather RVing from the start, find a unit that has two furnaces, one for the interior and one specifically to keep water tanks and components warm. Don’t forget to have thermal windows added to fight that condensation!
We hope these tips serve as a starting point. By reading your owner’s manual and getting to know the build and layout of your RV, you will be able to pinpoint what your RV needs and how to protect its components as the temperatures start cooling down. Have fun and stay warm while winter RVing!
For more information and advice on RV trip planning as well as helpful tools like our gas price finder, be sure to explore the Gilbert RV Insurance blog and resources!