Tips for RV Camping in the Winter

Just because other people have put away their RV for the winter, doesn’t mean you have to. There are lots of great things to see and do during the cold months, especially considering many of the most popular visiting spots won’t be as crowded. However, there are some unique concerns to winter camping that you’ll need to be aware of, especially if you’re a full-timer who’s on the road a lot. Follow some of the tips we here at The Outpost RV have provided, and stop by our location in Middlebury, Indiana with any additional questions you may have. We also serve our neighbors in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Adding Insulation

During the winter, your greatest foe will be the freezing temperatures, especially up here in northern Indiana. Even though many modern RVs come with a hardy heating system, there are ways you can further insulate your camper so you don’t run up the electric bill or burn through propane as quickly. The biggest leaks both for cold air getting in and hot air getting out is going to be your windows. Even when they’re closed, the glass can facilitate higher heat transfers. Consider covering your windows with Reflectix Bubble Foil or even simply upgrading to heavier drapes (which can be particularly helpful at night).

A lot of the cold seeps in underneath your RV, so a skirt might prevent this from happening too much. A skirt can also add extra protection to your pipes, which are more susceptible to freezing temperatures (which we’ll discuss further, later). You can also line your vents with foam so when you need to air out your RV, you’ll prevent too much heat from leaving the camper.

Extra Heat Sources

Sometimes, layering in extra heat sources can work wonders to help reduce how often you have to use your RV’s furnace. This can be little things, like opting for halogen bulbs over LEDs. The latter is generally more energy efficient and brighter, but halogen bulbs give off real heat. Also try to park your RV so it’s directly exposed to the sun, for the days when it’ll be out and you can heat your trailer naturally. Also consider cooking inside as much as often so the heat generated from kitchen appliances can help warm up the rig. Finally, if your RV doesn’t come with its own heating system, you’ll probably want to install one, or at least get a space heater. Trust us. Up north, this is important.

Don’t Forget to Ventilate

If the exterior of the RV is extremely cold and the interior is warm, odds are you’re going to start accumulating some moisture as the humidity rises. This is especially probable while someone is showering or the kitchen is in use. During these times, and any other time it starts to feel stuffy, turn on your fans and open your vents to air out the camper.

Protect your Plumbing

One of the biggest concerns you may have is how to keep your pipes from freezing during the winter. Even in bigger, stationary homes this is a concern, but even more so when the plumbing is closer to the elements, like with an RV. Many modern RVs come with insulation specially designed to protect your pipes during the winter. Even so, there are other precautions you can take, like installing heat strips and adding other forms of insulation. Antifreeze can help with your holding tanks, but never add it to your freshwater tank. Also, some pipes might run behind your cupboards, so consider opening them up periodically to let the interior heat reach the pipes. 

This should hopefully help you get started, but The Outpost RV is happy to help with all sorts of winter camping concerns, so stop by our location in Middlebury, Indiana. Our friendly staff are happy to help you with all your RV-related needs. We also serve our neighbors in Kalamazoo, Michigan.