Not everyone is putting away their RV for the winter. Some of you might enjoy traveling during the colder months and seeing the country when it’s covered in snow. Some of you might live full-time in your RV. Whatever the case may be, RVing in the winter can offer you a number of unique experiences you won’t encounter during the summer, but it can also pose some challenges. That’s why we here at Pete’s RV Center have provided you some tips for camping during the winter so you and your family can make the most of this time and stay comfortable. Check them out, and then ask us about some of the RVs for sale on our lot that are perfect for all-year travel. We have locations in South Windsor, Connecticut; South Burlington, Vermont; and Plainville, Massachusetts. We also service all RV enthusiasts across New England, including those from Manchester, New Hampshire, and Albany, New York.
Add Insulation
Obviously, the biggest concern is going to be making sure everyone stays warm without sucking an excess amount of energy from the camper. Poor insulation may not be obvious if you have central heating, but you’ll spend more money fueling your RV this way. To help with this, we have a few ideas you can try out:
- Much of the cold air is being transferred through your windows, so cover them up with heavier drapes or Reflectix Bubble Foil.
- You can also take on more of the biting cold through the underside of the RV, so consider adding foam board insulation or using a skirt (just remember to leave all exhaust vents and the tailpipe uncovered).
- Look for areas on top of your RV where rising heat could escape, like vents. You can line vents with foam to mitigate the amount of heat you lose.
- Perform a thorough inspection and plug any holes that cold air could be seeping through, including along your seals.
Additional Heat Sources
If the heating system you’re currently using isn’t enough to keep you warm–or if you RV doesn’t have central heating–there are other ways to warm up the interior of the cabin. Something as simple as switching out the bulbs in your camper. Many modern RVs use LEDs for their efficiency, but if it’s heat you’re looking for, it might be better to go to the less efficient incandescent bulbs. You can always switch them out again when things start to warm up.
Of course, you can also purchase space heaters to add more robust heat to your camper or ask how you can get a central heating system installed on your RV. This, of course, will provide the most amount of heat and can be particularly important in parts of the country that often sees freezing temperatures.
Protect Your Plumbing System
Your plumbing system may also need some additional preparation, depending on your RV. You’ll want to refer to your owner’s manual to see if it provides any guidance on how to prepare your pipes for freezing weather.
Some models will be ready to go without much additional work. Others may need heat strips for the hose and release valves. Adding antifreeze to your holding tanks (not the freshwater tank) can prevent freezing inside your black- and greywater tanks. Whatever your manual or a trusted technician tells you should help you sufficiently protect the pipes in your RV.
Of course, a lot of this preparation will be easier if you can find an RV that’s suited for year-round travel. If you’re ready to upgrade from an old model, stop by Pete’s RV Center and let one of our friendly staff give you the full tour of options that are best suited for your specific needs. We welcome all those across New England, including South Windsor, Connecticut; South Burlington, Vermont; Plainville, Massachusetts; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Albany, New York.
