How to keep your RV warm in Winters
How to keep your RV warm in Winters
Posted on April 6, 2022
You don’t have to let winter leave you feeling cooped up at home because you can still travel in cold weather. You can still have some fun enjoying some winter activities while RVing. Read on to find out how you can enjoy activities, like skiing, snowshoeing and camping while keeping warm in your RV.
Skirting
Skirting refers to using a wooden board around the base of the interior of your RV. Cold weather can be a problem for your RV as it can make pipes burst and kill your batteries. Skirting your RV will help keep the pipes, battery storage and other plumbing components warm. Foam board is a great way to ensure that your tanks don’t freeze.
Heated RV Water Hose
Skirting can help protect the critical parts of your RV, such as plumbing, pipes and batteries. However, another layer of cold protection will take you farther. Wrap your pipes in heat tape, and use a heated water hose to keep your water line from freezing. If you use unwrapped water pipes, things can get pretty messy. Another method is to insulate your already-existing water pipes.
Insulating Windows
You don’t have to freeze to death while camping. With foam board, solar blankets and bubble insulation, you can insulate your windows. A layer of thermal curtains will add more warmth, along with closing up any openings around windows and the door using a sealant. You must ensure that your weatherstripping is tight; if not, have it replaced.
Propane
Most RVs are designed to keep RVers warm in winter with their built-in furnaces and heat pumps. Furnaces use propane to heat the vehicle, and you can set a timer for the furnace to go on while you are out so you can come back to a nice, warm RV inside. Heat pumps also help keep the RV warm, but you need to be careful with them. You can’t use them by themselves to warm up the whole inside of the RV. Hence, propane can save the day for your RV’s furnace.
Which RV is More Suitable for Winter?
When choosing an RV, you must consider certain aspects, such as space, warmth and plumbing issues. For winter camping, the preferable RV is the one called a “fifth-wheel”, regarding space availability. The ample space allows it to have built-in heat sources and better insulation. It would also help to consider your pipes and batteries and the risk there might be for them, in terms of freezing.
Other Tips for Keeping Warm
The water system is the main thing you need to protect. Make sure that your water pipes and tanks are not frozen. Therefore, make sure that antifreeze is one of the essentials that you pack. Other essential things to pack include winter coats and other warm clothes and mini indoor space heaters. Plus, any warm beverage will keep you warm and comfortable.
Conclusion
RVing in winter can be just as good as during any other season. All you need to do is to skirt and insulate your rig, which will ensure that your battery bays and pipes are protected from freezing. RVs are more convenient, as they come with built-in heating systems. Pack your skiing or, even, sledding gear, hot chocolate and a couple of books, and enjoy a trip in your warm, movable home away from home.