Don’t let winter’s crisp, chilly breath put the brakes on your adventurous spirit. While summer is the perfect season for road trips, the allure of winter RVing holds a charm of its own. Imagine traversing through snow-dusted landscapes, engaging in exhilarating activities from skiing to snowshoeing, or simply savoring a steaming cup of cocoa amidst a serene winter wonderland. But the question lingers: How do you maintain a cozy, warm camper in the biting cold? Worry not, as your home on wheels is much more resilient than you think.
This comprehensive guide will explore the intricacies of living in an RV during the winter. From maintaining a cozy and warm atmosphere inside your RV to ensuring proper winterization, we’ve got you covered. Brace yourself for an influx of useful tips and valuable insights to transform your winter RV experiences from a daunting prospect to an absolute delight. Let’s dive right in.
The Challenges of Winter RV Living
While the idea of embracing the cold might sound appealing, the reality is that winter RV living comes with its own set of challenges. Here’s a breakdown of some common struggles and tips for tackling them.
Limited Space
RV living already requires careful organization and decluttering, but this becomes even more crucial during the winter. With bulky winter gear and clothing, your limited living space shrinks further. Prioritize what you truly need in your RV and find clever storage solutions to keep your things within reach but out of sight. Consider investing in multi-functional furniture, such as a storage ottoman or a dining table with built-in drawers. This will help you maximize your space and keep things organized.
Condensation
Another common struggle during winter RVing is condensation. As temperatures outside drop, moisture buildup inside your RV can lead to pesky condensation on windows and walls. This makes it challenging to keep things dry and can lead to mold and mildew. Properly ventilate your RV by cracking open a window or using the exhaust fans to combat this. You can also invest in moisture-absorbing products, such as dehumidifiers or desiccants to reduce excess moisture.
Frozen Pipes and Tanks
One of the biggest problems during winter RVing is dealing with frozen pipes and tanks. If left unchecked, this can lead to costly repairs and render your RV unusable. To prevent this, properly insulate all exposed pipes and tanks with heat tape or foam pipe insulation. You can also use heated water hoses for a constant water supply without worrying about freezing. Keep your faucets slightly open when temperatures drop below freezing to allow water flow and prevent pipes from freezing. Finally, don’t forget to drain and disconnect all hoses before moving to a new location.
Battery Issues
Your RV’s battery is essential for powering appliances and keeping you warm during the winter months. However, extreme cold can lead to reduced battery life or even cause it to fail. To prevent this, keep your battery charged at all times and limit the use of accessories that strain the battery. In addition, invest in an insulated battery box or blanket to keep it warm. You can also use a trickle charger to maintain a constant charge.
Cold Temperatures
One of the major challenges of winter RV living is staying warm without breaking the bank. Here are some tips for keeping your camper warm and cozy:
- Insulate: Proper insulation is crucial in an RV during the winter. Consider adding insulation to the windows and doors of your RV to retain heat.
- Invest in a quality heating system: Make sure your RV’s heating system works efficiently before winter hits. If you plan to use propane heaters, ensure enough supply for the entire season.
- Use heated blankets: Electric or battery-powered heated blankets can be a lifesaver during cold nights. They use less energy than running your RV’s furnace constantly.
- Layer up: Dress in layers and use warm blankets at night to help you stay warm without relying solely on your heating system.
- Skirt your RV: Adding an insulated skirt around the bottom of your RV will help keep the warm air inside from escaping.
How To Winterize Your RV
Winterizing your RV is crucial to ensure its readiness for winter. Following these steps will make for a hassle-free and enjoyable winter RVing experience:
- Drain and clean the water tanks: First, empty the wastewater from your black and gray tanks. Thoroughly clean the tanks to avoid bacteria buildup and potential freezing.
- Drain and flush the water heater: Make sure your water heater is turned off, depressurized, and cooled before draining. Flush out any sediment, and remove the anode rod for the winter.
- Bypass the water heater: Before adding antifreeze to your RV, bypass the water heater. This prevents antifreeze from seeping into it.
- Drain the fresh tank and low point drains: Release all water from your fresh tank and low point drains. Ensure all faucets are closed, and plug the low point drains afterward.
- Locate the water pump: Connect the siphoning kit or hose to the pump, and place the other end in your antifreeze container. Turn on the water pump, and let the antifreeze run through your RV’s plumbing system.
- Run antifreeze through external faucets and valves: Start from the lowest valve and open until the water turns pink, indicating the antifreeze is flowing through the pipes. Repeat this for all external faucets.
- Run antifreeze through internal faucets, showers, and toilets: Repeat step six for all internal water outlets until you see the antifreeze flowing.
- Pour antifreeze down P-traps: Lastly, pour some antifreeze in each drain and toilet to prevent freezing of the termination pipes over the winter. Finally, double-check that the water heater’s heating element is off and all faucets are closed.
Upgrade to an All-Season RV at Bretz RV & Marine
If you’re planning on living in your RV year-round, consider upgrading to a new all-season RV. These are specifically designed for colder climates and come with additional insulation, heated tanks, and other features that make winter RVing more comfortable. Bretz RV & Marine is also your one-stop shop for all your RV needs, from winterization supplies to service and repairs. Contact us today at one of our Idaho or Montana locations to learn more about winter RV living and how we can help make it a breeze.
Lonely RV… Sigh… by abarndweller is licensed with CC BY 2.0 DEED
