Have you ever made your winter RVing plans but? Should you’re questioning the place full-time RVers go within the winter, or tips on how to make your RV livable within the winter… Let Harvest Hosts assist!
When winter is bearing down on RVers, the feelings vary dramatically. For some, that is the time to pack it in for the 12 months. Different RVers see it because the season to transition to Florida or the desert southwest. And for some, that is the season they’ve been ready for.Â
No matter which of those individuals you is perhaps, that is your information to you, your RV, and the chilly winter season developing. If you’re nonetheless open minded about this winter season, maybe Harvest Hosts can present some perception and assist as you make your winter RVing selections.Â
Â
Is It Exhausting to Dwell in a Camper or RV within the Winter?
Should you love nature, a slower tempo, and fewer folks, winter is a season custom-made for you. Whenever you camp throughout the winter months—in colder climates—you’re going to get a break from the summer season busyness and have an opportunity to take a deep breath.Â
Maybe the lone draw back to tenting within the winter is the few additional precautions you’ll must take. Preserving you, your loved ones, and your RV secure throughout the winter RVing season takes just a little additional work. However at Harvest Hosts, we imagine it’s completely value it! And right here is why.
Â
Why You Ought to Take into account RVing This Winter
Tenting within the winter permits you and your loved ones to expertise nature in a extra intimate approach. The air is perhaps colder, however there are many causes to get on the market and revel in it. And listed here are a few of our high causes so that you can be on the highway this winter.
Â
Quiet Moments and Nonetheless Nights
Within the hustle and bustle of summer season actions, we will lose monitor of the connection to nature’s patterns. Winter is a reminder to pause—or no less than decelerate—in life for a season. Sitting exterior throughout a chilly day with the heat of the solar hitting your shoulders is a quick reminder to get pleasure from what nature gives.Â
Â
The Views
When RVers are gone and the clouds depart the sky, you is perhaps amazed by the celebrities. We don’t understand the sunshine air pollution we expertise whereas tenting in an RV park or with different RVers round us. Relying in your location, you would possibly even catch a glimpse of the Milky Method.Â
It isn’t simply the sky that gives wonderful views both. When the leaves have given up, fallen to the bottom, and the timber are naked, there’s nothing in the way in which of our eyes from seeing just a little additional. Plus, these vistas usually tend to be loved with out the crowds.Â
Â
Fewer Folks
Whereas faculties are stuffed with youngsters and loads of RVers are afraid of the chilly, you’ll get pleasure from all the things with fewer folks. Should you discover tenting much more pleasant when there aren’t a ton of individuals, it is a nice time to be out and about within the campgrounds.Â
Â
Off-Season Pricing
With fewer folks comes decrease costs. Campgrounds are sometimes operating decrease charges and never almost as aggressive to get in. Gasoline costs aren’t inflated due to peak season pricing. And there’s a freedom of motion within the winter that doesn’t exist in the summertime due to how a lot simpler it’s to search out campgrounds.Â
Â
Totally different Outside Experiences
Winter RVing provides a special form of expertise. Should you RV close to the slopes, you may get pleasure from snowboarding, snowboarding, and even tubing. Maybe you get pleasure from backcountry snowboarding, snowshoeing, and even snowmobiling. Or perhaps you wish to do some winter climbing. All of those choices can be found.Â
If you’re touring with youngsters, you might need some wonderful snowball fights, big snowmen, and even sledding. And in any case of this, you come inside your heat RV for some sizzling cocoa. How is that this not a tremendous alternative?
Â
Winterizing Your RV & Useful Winter Upkeep
If you’re nonetheless decided to place your RV in storage, there are some steps it would be best to take previous to placing it away. Winterizing your RV is the method of defending your RV from the chilly, freezing temperatures and defending it from critters getting into inside too. Together with preparations for storage, there are some upkeep objects you would possibly wish to test off this time of 12 months too.Â
Â
All about RV’s does a superb job of explaining fundamental winterization in his Youtube collection on the topic.
Â
Keys To Winterizing Your RV
The largest purpose for winterizing is eliminating water out of your RV. By following these pointers, you may be prepared for spring very quickly.Â
Â
Take away All Water
Eradicating water out of your RV’s home system protects your RV plumbing pipes from potential cracking. When the water freezes it expands and might trigger these main issues and spoil your spring journey plans.Â
Â
Take away Water Filters
Within the strategy of eradicating all of the water out of your RV, it would be best to be sure your filters are included on this course of. Water can stay within the filters and crack the housing and even develop mildew in your filters. This can assist be sure they’re prepared to get replaced come Spring.Â
Â
Drain the Scorching Water Heater
One other space that must be drained is your sizzling water heater. In your RV sizzling water heater, you will note a drain plug. This drain plug ought to solely be eliminated after the stress has been launched through sizzling water strains inside—or the low factors for every RV water line. The low factors could be present in your RV guide.Â
Â
Drain Your Grey and Black Water Tanks
For the final dump of the 12 months, it would be best to take your time. Hook up and permit it to empty all the things for an prolonged time period. After you’ve allowed it to empty, it’s time to flush the system together with your cleansing wand or you should use an exterior system to wash the tank.Â
Â
Defend Your RV From Rodents
That is typically ignored within the winterizing course of. Your finest protection in opposition to rodents is to easily not enable them in—which is approach simpler mentioned than completed. Listed below are some locations to look to shut up your RV just a little higher.
Fill any gaps, holes, or cracks from beneath with spray foam or a silicone caulk
Block the basement area from the dwelling area
Test round electrical strains, plumbing strains, and different wires
Exterior lights with wires operating inside might depart gaps too
When you guarantee there aren’t areas for mice to get via, you’ll nonetheless wish to take different precautions like eradicating all meals from the RV. By no means retailer meals in your RV over the winter months—particularly in case you are placing it in storage.
In case your RV is a motorhome, you’ll wish to begin your RV weekly—or no less than bi-weekly—so animals don’t make nests in and round your engine. It additionally helps remove rodents from seeing RV wiring as lunch.Â
Lastly, you should use deterrents like moth balls, important oils, or different pure deterrents inside your RV. This can assist deter them from discovering your RV as a winter retreat, and can hopefully push them down the highway someplace else.Â
Â
Different Good Winter Upkeep Concepts
That is additionally a good time of 12 months to deal with different routine upkeep. Through the winter storage season, you would possibly wish to get your oil modified in your motorhome or mills, give the surface a great cleansing, and even look after the roof of your RV.Â
Â
Getting ready Your RV for the Chilly
There are some individuals who select to hunker down in a single location and benefit from the winter season of their RV. Right here we are going to take a look at a number of the finest methods to arrange for the winter in your RV—even in case you are deciding to hold driving your RV within the winter situations.
Â
Winter In One Location
It’s fashionable for folks to take care of dwelling of their RV throughout the winter months—they simply keep put to assist make controlling the temperatures inside just a little simpler. Should you keep in a single location, there are a number of issues you are able to do to assist keep heat and benefit from the season.Â
Â
Use Moveable Heaters
Utilizing an electrical or propane area heater is an effective way to assist preserve propane, make the most of campground facilities, and direct the warmth the place you need it most. Placing one within the basement of your RV may also help hold your flooring heat and defend your pipes from freezing.Â
Â
Insulate Your RV Home windows
This is applicable to staying in a single location and touring down the highway. Insulated home windows assist greater than you would possibly assume. Get your self some insulated curtains or get additional plexiglass to assist create limitations. Should you select plexiglass, you may merely use double sided tape to connect it.Â
Â
Management Moisture
Through the winter months, you’ll discover loads of condensation in your home windows. When the water drips down, you may get loads of mildew round your window sills and in different areas of your RV.Â
Together with the condensation, your RV is lots tighter and doesn’t get the benefit of open home windows to permit air to circulate via your RV. Showering and cooking additionally contributes to your moisture within the RV—you would possibly discover your towels and dish towels getting that pretty mildew odor. To assist stop this, there are a number of steps you may take to cut back humidity. However the most effective methods to handle that is to get a dehumidifier.Â
Â
Use a Heated RV Water Hose
This is applicable to any winter tenting, you want to use a heated RV water hose when you find yourself winter tenting. Water pipes and hoses can freeze in a short time in extreme temperatures.Â
Â
Use an RV Skirt
RV Skirts are limitations to the underpart of your RV. It helps stop wind from getting below your RV. Some RVers will even make the most of a heater below right here as a result of it’s insulated by the earth beneath, the RV above, and your skirting across the exterior. That is particularly helpful for people who find themselves going to hunker down for an extended time period in a single location. There are a number of forms of skirts you should purchase—or create your self.Â
Â
Touring Throughout The Winter Months
Whenever you journey throughout the winter months, you’ll wish to ensure you know what you might be getting your self into, and monitor potential inclement climate patterns.Â
Â
RV Winter Tires and Chains
Identical to your automobile, having good tires come winter is crucial. The speedy change in climate may cause loads of various climate and also you received’t wish to get caught in a foul state of affairs. If you’re deciding to attempt your hand at going over a mountain move, you would possibly discover out tire chains are legally a should. If you’re decided to make this journey, be certain you’re ready with tire chains and you know the way to place them on and take them off in a well timed method.Â
Â
Home and Automobile Batteries
The chilly winter climate may cause—or reveal—points with batteries. It’s considerably frequent for folks to find their batteries go lifeless throughout the winter months. By checking your batteries earlier than that is your actuality, it can save you your self some complications. One other factor you are able to do is use a battery hotter to assist regulate the temperature of your battery for optimum utilization.Â
Â
Driving Your RV
Whether or not you might be driving a motorhome or pulling your RV, there are some issues to recollect this time of 12 months. However decreasing your pace, breaking earlier, and being conscious of icy situations goes a good distance for the protection of your travels.Â
Finest Winter Nationwide Park Locations
You’ve determined you will benefit from the peace and quiet of winter RVing. Now the place are you heading? Properly, there’s nothing like having fun with the great thing about a nationwide park come winter. And we aren’t simply speaking about these heat climate places both. Take a look at a few of our favourite nationwide parks to get pleasure from throughout the winter.
Â
Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park
That is probably the most visited Nationwide Park in the US, however winter is rather less hectic, and the temperatures aren’t excessive. With peaks reaching as much as 6,634 ft—Clingmans Dome—you may get pleasure from mountain climbing with out all the necessity for snow footwear. If this pursuits you, you may keep contained in the park at Cades Cove Campground.
Â
Shenandoah Nationwide Park
Not too far-off from the Smokies, you may go to this gem in Virginia. Whereas this park will get just a little colder, they’re nonetheless open 12 months spherical—even the well-known Skyline Drive is open 12 months spherical. This park has loads of climbing, images, and even has the chance for snowshoeing.Â
Â
Huge Bend Nationwide Park
A park that’s fairly distant, however fairly nice come winter is Huge Bend Nationwide Park. This park is situated in south Texas, and has a January common low of 39 levels Fahrenheit. That makes this an important vacation spot come winter. There are many climbing trails, OHV trails, and loads of overlooks for pictures. On this Nationwide Park, you may truly take a ship throughout to Mexico for lunch. It’s a distinctive park and ideal for desert out of doors lovers.Â
Â
Different Nice Chilly-Climate Nationwide Parks For RV Tenting
- Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
- Olympic Nationwide Park
- Acadia Nationwide Park
- Mount Rainier Nationwide Park
Chilly Climate Locations
If you’re in search of chilly climate locations for RV tenting, our assumption is you might be in search of some journey. In any other case you’d in all probability head south. With that in thoughts, let’s take a fast look at another locations to RV camp—particularly when you’re in search of locations to ski this winter.
Â
Lake Tahoe Space
There are a number of nice locations to ski round Lake Tahoe and the world may be very RV-friendly. There are a number of nice campgrounds so that you can get pleasure from with FHU—full hook ups. Plus, yow will discover Harvest Hosts places within the space as nicely.Â
Â
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
In southern Colorado, yow will discover the city of Pagosa Springs. With a number of campgrounds within the space and a ski resort not far-off, this city is a good place come winter. The river that runs via city has pure sizzling springs, there are nice espresso outlets, eating places, and loads of out of doors actions.Â
Â
Lake Placid, NY
In and round Lake Placid, NY, you’ll discover tons of issues to do and several other campgrounds with winter hookups. This space will get a ton of powder and thrives within the winter months. With snowboarding, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and a lot extra, it is a good spot to get pleasure from lovely views and loads of winter exercise.Â
Â
Heat Climate Locations
Some RVers put together for the colder temperatures by escaping all of them collectively. They head south or southwest the place the winter temperatures are way more gentle and the sunny days nonetheless exist. By doing this, you keep away from the necessity to do loads of the winterizing now we have beforehand talked about.Â
If this sounds just like the winter you wish to expertise, you’ll must determine the place to go and what sort of winter journey you wish to expertise. Lots of RVers wish to be on the transfer with their RV, and a few take a look at new areas each couple of weeks. Others like to remain for a complete season—these are known as the snowbirds. Let’s take a look at some favourite heat climate locations for you this winter.Â
Â
Favourite Snowbird Locations
If you’re completed with the chilly and need these heat sunny days, there are loads of nice locations to go like Florida, Arizona, Texas, and California come winter to flee the chilly and revel in hotter days.Â
Snowbirds typically return to the identical place time and again. By doing this, they’ll create their household away from house, meet up with pals, and get acquainted with an space. By dwelling this way of life, you get to chase the nice and cozy climate, and nonetheless have these comforts of being house. Listed below are some favourite snowbird locations.Â
Â
Yuma, Arizona
Dubbed the “Sunniest Place within the World,” Yuma will get a mean of 308 days of sunshine per 12 months. This winter paradise boasts heat sunny days, cool evenings, and tons of out of doors actions. An additional bonus to Yuma in winter is its easy accessibility to Los Algodones—Mexico’s medical tourism hub.
Â
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs has turn out to be an oasis for lots of snowbirds. With the ridiculous variety of golf programs, lovely climate, and different out of doors actions, you may simply work out why it is a hotspot come winter. The added bonus of being right here is that the city strikes at a slower tempo compared to different southern California cities like San Diego and Los Angeles.Â
Â
Tampa, Florida
This coastal metropolis has actually grown over the previous a number of years and provides all the things a significant metropolis in the US provides. Should you aren’t into the key cities, you may rating nice RV campgrounds in surrounding cities and have easy accessibility to Tampa. Right here you’ll get to benefit from the Gulf Coast, lovely white sand seashores, and the enjoyment of a reasonable local weather.Â
Â
Different High Locations
There are many different places to think about in these states and extra. Take a look at some extra places in Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and Florida right here.
Â
Take into account South of the Border
If you’re wanting to move south just a little additional, you would possibly take a look at a few of these spots in Mexico. By crossing the border in Arizona or California, you may entry some actually nice RV campground locations in Mexico.Â
If you wish to proceed boondocking, there are loads of nice boondocking places in Baja Mexico too. With loads of sunshine, your batteries will keep topped off. The climate is snug throughout the day and cools off within the night, so that you don’t want to make use of an excessive amount of warmth or air-con. Plus, there are sufficient those who boondock in Baja Mexico that you simply’ll discover some group alongside the way in which.Â
Â
Winter Tenting in Arizona
There are many causes to think about Arizona this winter. The sunny days, cool nights, and delightful sunsets set this place other than wherever else in the US come winter. Whereas Yuma, Phoenix, and Quartzite are fashionable places, there are loads of different points of interest and locations to go to in Arizona.
Â
Expertise the Florida Distinction
Florida grows by almost 5% every winter with the earliest snowbirds heading down in mid-October. There’s a motive Florida is the preferred vacation spot come winter. With almost 80% of the inhabitants in the US dwelling within the japanese a part of the nation, Florida is a simple vacation spot for a lot of chilly climate dwellers to get to.Â
On high of the accessibility, Florida provides recent citrus throughout the winter months, heat sunny days, seashores galore, and loads of issues to do. Together with your Harvest Hosts Membership, you may get pleasure from loads of Harvest Hosts places in Florida that may make it easier to uncover extra of the Sunshine state.Â
Â
Your Vacation spot Awaits
There are some pluses and minuses within the RV life, however chasing your ideally suited state of affairs isn’t up for debate. Whether or not you head south and revel in some solar in Florida, or attempt to catch some recent powder on the slopes, you may guess you aren’t ever very removed from some nice Harvest Hosts places. With 4,000+ Harvest Hosts places throughout North America, any Harvest Hosts Member can get pleasure from and uncover a number of the finest small companies whereas chasing that good winter state of affairs.Â