In case you’re contemplating placing out on a winter RV tenting journey, good for you! It’s an unbelievable alternative to get some really distinctive tenting experiences below your belt.
Nevertheless, winter tenting in an RV isn’t all enjoyable and video games – there’s loads of prep to do beforehand. Right here’s our full information to RV tenting within the winter!
“Winterizing” Your RV
What’s Winterizing?
To place it merely, winterizing your RV is the method of making certain that your pipes received’t burst because of the temperature dropping under freezing.
Similar to pipes can freeze and burst in your own home, they will additionally freeze and burst in your RV. In reality, it’s extra seemingly that they’ll burst in your RV than in your house.
Ought to You Winterize Your RV Earlier than Winter RV Tenting?
In case your winter RV tenting journey goes to take you someplace with below-freezing temperatures, it’s greatest to winterize earlier than you go.
Even when the temperatures are technically above freezing, keep in mind that wind chill can play an element, and climate apps aren’t all the time correct. It’s higher secure than sorry.
Winterizing your RV will imply that you would be able to’t use the water–not even for showering. In case you’re deeply connected to having your water working in your winter tenting journey, you should buy a heated hose and pipe heaters.
What You Must Winterize Your RV
To winterize your RV, all you’ll want is a toolkit (together with wrenches, pliers or screwdrivers, and a flashlight) and antifreeze.
You additionally might have a water heater bypass equipment, however provided that your RV doesn’t have already got a bypass put in! Ensure you examine earlier than you start winterizing.
Whereas studying the way to winterize your RV might be tough the primary time, it’s price it to keep away from mopping up floodwater out of your RV and having to take care of damaged pipes.
Discovering the Proper Winter Campground
What to Look For
In case you’re winterizing your RV, you’ll need to be sure to select a campground with a bathhouse, except it’s a really brief journey. Physique odor and RVs don’t mesh effectively.
You’ll additionally need to select a campground with potable water accessible, or be sure to convey a lot alongside. With antifreeze in your pipes, you’re not going to have the ability to entry any in any other case.
Attempt to observe down campgrounds that supply alternatives for winter actions, reminiscent of cross-country snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, and extra.
In case you can, decide a campground the place firewood is offered for buy, both throughout the campground itself or shut by. Odds are you’ll need a fireplace going extra usually than you would possibly in the summertime.
What to Keep away from
Strive to not decide campgrounds which are fairly distant for winter RV tenting.
Winter climate might be unpredictable and harmful, and in case of emergencies, will probably be safer to remain nearer to civilization…and cell service!
If something goes incorrect with the RV or you find yourself stranded for any motive, you’ll need to have the ability to contact assist.
Except you’re a practiced winter RV camper, it won’t be sensible to boondock in your first winter tenting journey. Staying in remoted areas within the winter is a substantial threat, particularly since you received’t have the ability to use the heating perform in your RV.
Finest Time to Go RV Tenting within the Winter
Attempt to keep away from tenting in January; out of all of the winter months, January is the coldest in 90% of the USA!
In case you don’t have vacation plans with prolonged household, December is the very best month for winter tenting if you wish to keep away from probably the most crowds. Most individuals don’t spend the vacation season of their RV, so it could actually make for a peaceable and distinctive method to bond together with your shut household over the vacations!
If in case you have your coronary heart set in your vacation traditions–or just have a busy December–November or February can each be good for winter tenting, as effectively. Simply take note they might lean hotter than different months. Since November is true on the cusp between fall and winter, the campgrounds should be a bit crowded, too.
Staying Heat on Your Winter RV Tenting Journey
When to Purchase a Heater
Not all RVs require a separate heater, significantly in case you select to insulate the undercarriage of your RV. Nevertheless, it’s not unwise to maintain one available.
As a result of the RV is a smaller house, you don’t must put money into something too fancy; a heater that may cowl the house of 1 room ought to do it. You should buy one which runs on electrical energy, or a gas-powered one in case you do select to boondock or keep in a campground with out electrical hookups.
Choices for Insulation
Insulating your RV (or “skirting” your RV) is a simple method to assist maintain your pipes safer and the RV itself a lot hotter!
You need to use skirting kits, get a custom-made vinyl tarp to your RV’s dimensions, or get monetary savings by DIYing the skirting/
Vinyl is the favored selection of fabric for insulation, however you may as well use foam, canvas, polyethylene, and even plywood!
What You Want for Winter RV Tenting
Snow and Ice Scrapers
This may occasionally seem to be a no brainer, however it may be simple to neglect, particularly when you’ve got a motorhome as an alternative of a journey trailer!
We don’t all the time take into consideration needing a snow and ice scraper for our RVs; in any case, we often drive them in the summertime.
However similar to our different automobiles, RVs can get crusted in snow and ice, which may make it tough and even not possible to maneuver them. At all times convey a scraper alongside!
Snow Tires and/or Snow Chains
Snow tires for RVs might be tough to trace down, however they’re on the market if you wish to put money into them. In case you’re not going to be winter tenting usually, you most likely don’t want to fret about swapping out your tires.
You need to use snow chains on RV tires; nevertheless, it’s extremely advisable that you simply solely use them in an emergency, and that you simply take them off as quickly as you possibly can. They will harm your RV’s tires fairly a bit if used for too lengthy.
It’s simply good to have them available in case you find yourself caught.
Automobile Emergency Equipment
Repurposing a automotive emergency equipment as your RV emergency equipment is one other good method to prep for potential points. You need to be ready for a winter climate emergency it doesn’t matter what you occur to be driving!
Two components of a automotive emergency equipment you completely ought to have available for winter RV tenting are cat litter and rock salt. These will likely be your new greatest buddies if it’s important to get your RV unstuck in slippery, snowy situations.
Meals and Water
Convey loads of meals and water in your journey–together with emergency rations and non-perishable objects. In case you lose energy or find yourself caught within the campground for longer than anticipated, you’ll be completely happy you overprepared.
As talked about, drinkable water can also be vital, contemplating your pipes will likely be crammed with antifreeze. Top off greater than you suppose you want, and fill up much more than that if the campground doesn’t have potable water.
Heat Outside Gear
Ensure you convey all the mandatory winter out of doors gear–not only a coat! You need to be sure to have sturdy, heat boots, gloves, a hat, and possibly even snowpants or a snowsuit.
You’ll additionally need to convey hand and foot heaters. Bear in mind you’ll be spending a number of time outside, even when it’s simply across the fireplace! Numb fingers and toes aren’t any enjoyable for anybody, and frostbite can occur even while you’re a number of ft away out of your heat RV.
Frostbite can occur shortly, and it could actually occur with out you being conscious of it! It’s all the time higher secure than sorry in terms of carrying your winter gear.
Additional Firewood
If the campground doesn’t have firewood on the market–and actually, even when it does–be sure to convey loads of further firewood together with you, so long as it’s allowed.
In case you lose energy whereas RV tenting within the winter, the fireplace could turn into your new cooking medium, in addition to a warmth supply. You need to be sure to received’t run out of gas for it!
Additional Gas for the Heater–and Your Car!
Talking of gas and warmth sources, when you’ve got an extra heater that requires a gas aside from electrical energy (reminiscent of propane), be sure to convey further propane alongside.
Attempt to convey further gasoline as effectively.
Creature Comforts
This “necessity” is definitely centered by yourself enjoyment greater than precise want!
Whereas RV tenting within the winter, you would possibly discover that sure issues are totally different than they’re in the summertime. For example, the flooring would possibly get extraordinarily chilly.
Bringing alongside heat socks or slippers is a good way to beat the brand new chill beneath your ft!
You may as well convey alongside different objects to remain cozy, reminiscent of fluffy robes, heated blankets, heat PJs, and particular snacks.
We additionally advocate bringing the elements to make your favourite scorching chocolate, espresso, or tea, in addition to some favourite mugs.
In Case of Emergency
What To Do If You Get “Snowed In”
In case you get “snowed in” and may’t go away the campground, there are some things it is best to do.
First, be sure to sweep all of the snow off the highest of your RV every now and then. If snow piles up an excessive amount of, its weight could cause harm to the roof. It will probably even lead to drafts and leaks!
Secondly, contact your emergency contacts and allow them to know the place you’re and what’s occurring. Set a time to contact them once more. If one thing goes incorrect, it’s vital that somebody is conscious of the place you’re.
Thirdly, maintain salting your steps all the way down to maintain ice from gathering. A fall is rarely good, however it’s particularly not ultimate within the midst of a storm.
If in case you have advance discover {that a} storm is on its method, attempt to put together forward of time. Begin conserving sources like water, meals, and gas, and put together to hunker down for some time.
What To Do If Your Pipes Burst
In case you do select to not winterize your RV earlier than your winter RV tenting journey, you could find yourself with a burst pipe. In case you attempt to flip your water on and spot leakage or flooding, right here’s what you do.
First, shut off the water pump.
Subsequent, attempt your greatest to trace down the burst pipe. This might take some time; the burst pipe may very well be hiding inside a panel or cupboard or within the underbelly of the RV itself.
When you find the burst pipe, use leak restore tape to seal it off. That is solely a brief repair, however it can purchase you time to get someplace the place it may be repaired!
Mop up the standing water earlier than you’re taking your RV to the restore store. In any other case, you would possibly find yourself with water harm.
What To Do If The Roads Are Slick
In case you’re driving your motorhome or dragging your journey trailer behind you, and also you discover the highway situations have turn into icy and harmful, don’t attempt to push by way of.
As an alternative, flip in your hazards, pull over slowly and punctiliously, and put together to attend out the storm.
Motorhomes are far tougher to cease than your common automotive, and journey trailers can throw off your automobile’s steadiness. Slippery roads are all the time a hazard, however they’re even worse in case you’re driving with an RV in tow.
In case you completely need to maintain going, go as gradual as is secure alongside different site visitors. Be particularly cautious when taking curves or turns, and don’t slam on the brake or speed up quickly. At all times use your indicators, and understand that different drivers could not have the ability to see you as effectively.
Why Go RV Tenting within the Winter?
Winter Sports activities Alternatives
As talked about earlier, winter sports activities are one of many big perks of RV tenting within the winter! You may head out to some unbelievable locations for snowboarding or sledding and know that you’ve a pleasant heat RV to return again to.
Snow Hikes
Mountaineering within the snow is an expertise that may result in some really unbelievable views. Many tenting trails provide lookout spots, however few folks get to expertise these views with snow glittering over each floor.
Totally different Wildlife
You’ll seemingly spot a special number of wildlife within the winter than in the summertime. In reality, with a backdrop of white and never as a lot foliage to cover themselves in, you could even spot extra wildlife than common!
Emptier Campgrounds
Final however not least, it doesn’t matter what month you select to your winter RV tenting tour, the campgrounds will likely be significantly much less crowded than within the busy season.
This additionally means the paths will likely be much less congested!
Winter RV Tenting Isn’t For The Faint of Coronary heart, However…
Although winter RV tenting would require extra effort, preparation, and probably some fast pondering, it’s additionally one of many best adventures you possibly can have in the course of the snowy season.
For extra winter tenting recommendation, go to our winter tenting part now!
- Concerning the Writer
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Cassidy Eubanks is a proud Michigander, an avid reader, and a author for Apple Pie Media. Her bachelor’s in Inventive Writing has fueled her love of storytelling in all its kinds…together with campfire tales!
With a few years of each tent tenting and RV tenting below her belt, the flexibility to roll her ankle a number of instances with out truly spraining it whereas climbing, and a foolproof technique for making the right s’extra, Cassidy loves sharing totally different suggestions, tips, and instruments on Past the Tent to make your tenting journey as easy and stress-free as potential.