In our most recent blog post, you learned all about how to plan an RV trip—it has useful tips for newcomers to the RV lifestyle as well as seasoned veterans. Now, it’s very possible you’ll want to enjoy some winter RV camping this year, especially if you’re the adventurous and spontaneous type. For real RV enthusiasts, the RV lifestyle doesn’t come to a screeching halt during the winter months. It’s actually a lot cozier to take an RV trip during the winter than it is to take one during the summertime.
If you are thinking about a fun winter RV camping adventure, there are some important tips you should keep in mind. Tackling Mother Nature at her blustery worst requires some extra preparation.
Winter RV Camping Tips
The RV experts at Beckley’s Camping Center suggest you keep the following tips in mind as you plan your winter RV camping journey:
Add an Auxiliary Heater
You will need to have more than just your RV furnace as a source of heat—you’ll find yourself going through a significant amount of propane if you rely solely on forced air heat. A fairly easy solution is to add an auxiliary heater to your RV. These heaters are designed for indoor RV use and operate on LP-gas. They have no flame, require no flue or chimney, are silent in operation, and feature a safety shut-off valve to prevent accidental non-ignition fuel discharge.
Improve Insulation
Take a look around your RV and observe where cold air can enter. Many RV experts will agree that the most common area for heat to escape is the entry door. Over time, the original light-duty weather stripping gets crushed or deteriorates, leaving a gap between the door and seal. Replacing the old weather stripping and re-adjusting the door for a proper fit will improve your RV’s heating efficiency, allowing you to have a more comfortable winter RV camping adventure. Do anything you can to reduce drafts and add extra insulation (including your overhead roof vents)—this will go a long way in keeping all passengers comfortable throughout the winter RV camping adventure.
Add a Dehumidifier
You’ll want to consider investing in a dehumidifier before your winter RV camping trip—it can help regulate the moisture levels inside your RV. A dehumidifier prevents the air from becoming too dry, which is important because dry air leads to:
Dry nose
Cracked, itchy skin
Sore throats
Nosebleeds
Aggravated allergy and asthma symptoms
Chipping paint and plaster
Splitting or cracked wood floors and furniture
Molding
Examine Plumbing
Examine your RV’s plumbing to determine what, if any, measures need to be taken to prevent potential damage caused by freezing temperatures. Some RVs have plumbing that’s exposed to outside elements. In this case, you should wrap the exposed plumbing with heat tape and foam pipe insulation. The holding tank piping and dump valves are important components of the RV plumbing systems. While some higher end RVs have these pipes and valves enclosed and heated from the factory, most RVs do not. You can protect these pipes and valves from the elements by wrapping them with heat tape. An RV’s fresh water supply hose is subject to freezing—you can use a heated water hose to prevent freezing. This is a great option if you’re planning a winter RV camping adventure to a campground that offers full hookups. They run on either 12 volts DC or 110 volts AC.
Leave Cabinet Doors Open & Keep Tanks Full
Be sure to leave RV cabinet doors open to allow the stored interior heat to reach the pipes that are buried in the walls. Also, keeping various tanks full makes them harder to freeze.
Plan Ahead
Don’t assume a campground will be open during the wintertime. Be sure to contact the resort well in advance of your winter RV camping adventure. Many campgrounds close during the winter, especially in areas where it snows.
With a little extra preparation, you and your friends or family can enjoy the wonders of winter RV camping—comfortable and safely. There’s nothing cozier than snuggling up with your family in a warm RV on a cold winter night.
If you need any help with winter RV camping or require RV servicing or products before your upcoming adventure, contact us. We’ll be happy to help.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>·
