Winter RV Living Tips – Keeping you safe and sound

Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Jeremy

Living in an RV in the winter – Many are doing so…..

There’s a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, and the temperature dropped to -3 Celsius overnight. Your worst nightmare is coming true – the waste water valve is frozen, your propane doesn’t seem to be coming out of the propane tanks, and you packed no extra blankets at all.

Fortunately, you’ve now experienced the start of what’s about to come, and you’re one step closer to becoming a provider of winter RV living tips!

Main Tip #1: Plan Ahead

Whatever journey you are currently deciding on, or have already committed to, the first key tip is always to plan ahead. It’s common to start traveling to your destination, and the one thing that changes in a second, is the weather. Although it’s easy to forget, it’s also easy to do.

The forecast can determine what temperatures you’ll be hovering at in transit, or even when you’re stationary so you should always check your weather apps. Plus, you’ll more than likely want to be stationary before we proceed to any further tips. If you haven’t made it to that stage and you’re pushing the limits of freezing, it’s not the end of the world, just don’t panic.

Yes, it can be scary, but you will ride out the cold temperatures, and keep your RV livable with the remaining tips that follow.

Main Tip #2: Stay Stationary in Winter

Now unless you’re a full time RVer that caravans down south and migrates like the geese during the winter months, then none of the rest of these sections really apply to you. Enjoy your plus 35-degree weather, and 4 rounds of golf near your Rv Park Golf course, and have a beverage for me!

But being stationary is extremely important for winter RV living, and what follows are some key points to get you safe and secure. Assuming you’ll be at a full hook up location, the thing you’ll want to start first with is:

• -Protect Exposed Parts – You’ll want to take a step back and look at the important features on your RV and cover them up. Primarily, start from the top, and work your way to the ground.
  • • -Put on an A/C cover, such as the one in the picture. There are different sizes for this, so be sure to obtain the correct fitted one. The products specifically for RVs should be utilized. This prevents any leaking through the main vent.
    • -Windows should be covered up. If you don’t have dual pane windows, this should be important. Many people do this on the inside, but that creates a moisture barrier between the window and the cover. The covers can be made of thin plastic or reflective foil insulation. I’ve discovered, covering the exterior of the window provides the moisture not to form on the windows, rather keeping it out completely. Sure, it becomes dark in your trailer, but it saves on the energy bill and keeps your RV warmer.
    • -Heat Tape or Pipe insulation for exposed pipes is the next thing to protect from a hard freeze. This may be a time-consuming process, but worth it if you want to avoid water soaking up your RV floor from a frozen pipe. Go through the underside and storage areas of your RV, if the pipes are exposed, get them covered.
    • -Skirting is the last thing to adhere to your unit, for being fully winterized. This can be done via many forms, such as:
      • -2″ Styrofoam – you’ll want to have either 2′ high or 4′ high sheets and be creative with it. Cover the underbelly, slide out areas, and any other places you feel necessary to avoid wind and snow damage.
      • -Plywood – This can be adhered with the Styrofoam or built like a pony wall on a dwelling. More expensive, and time-consuming.
      • -Pallets – A cheaper alternative, that can be applied and constructed to suit your coverage needs.
      • -Hay Bales – Extremely well insulated but be cautious of rodents.
      • -Foil Double Bubble Foil Insulation – The go to for many RVers. Adhered via White Tuck Tape, or Aluminum Duct Tape (see links for visual images), this comes in a 125′ roll, and is the quickest alternative for skirting.
      • -Pre-made Winter Tarps – This is a little more costly but can be Velcro or turn buttoned into place around your unit.

Main Tip #3: Water and Draining

• -Water Tanks – Some suggestions have been made to keep your freshwater tank full and utilize a tank heater. I’ve discovered, flushing RV antifreeze through your freshwater tank and lines first, is a smart method, followed by a complete drain on it. This way, your pump is safe from freezing and your tank won’t freeze.
• -Water Hoses – If connected full time, the best solution is a Camco Heated water hose.  A regular garden hose, heat tape, and pipe insulation is also an option, but more time-consuming. Make sure ALL ends exposed are covered regardless, and in the event of an extreme temp drop, make sure your hydrant valve is turned off, as even they can freeze up if not properly insulated or heat taped.
• -Grey and Sewer Tanks – These tanks, if equipped with an insulated sewer hose such as this    can be left open season round, to allow continuous drain. Although, the next best option is to drain your tanks every 2-3 days or so and hook up a drain hose when needed.

Main Tip #4: Inside Heat

• -Furnace – Most RVs are equipped with a combination propane and HVAC furnace. The main ingredient is the propane, and it should be your primary source of fuel for heat. Always keep these tanks on your unit full and have spare tanks on hand. One thing people need to understand here is, propane CAN freeze in its liquid form, inside the tank. Although its freezing point is unreasonably reachable at -306 degrees Fahrenheit, propane in its liquid form, inside a tank can freeze, BUT it’s usually just the regulators at this point that are truly the issue, which is caused from too much humidity.
• -Electric Heaters – You’re going to want to have 1 to 3 small space heaters on hand, pending your RV square footage. In a 32′ trailer, and no slides, a tower oscillating heater such as this   are quite sufficient. Smaller options are good, should one of them be needed under your trailer in those extreme cold moments. Even heated under bellies still need a heat source, so if not an electric heater, a heat lamp and brooder option is the next best idea.
• -Dehumidifiers – With heat comes moisture, and if you recall from a previous post on dehumidifiers, I’ve outlined some good options for you to be educated with.

Main Tip # 5: Safety

As we review our first 4 main winter RV living tips, we’re 95% complete in our set-up. However, we must imply the main rule of thumb here needs to be safety. With that, always acknowledge these other helpful tips when living out the season in your home:

• -Always have an escape route in case of fire.
• -Always clear any potential huge amounts of snow away from electrical and propane venting sources.
• -Always keep spare propane tanks on hand.
• -Keep an eye on your weather forecasts.
• -Keep food and beverage supplies stocked.
• -Keep extra clothes and blankets at hand.
• -Keep Heavy snow off of your roof.

As always, feel free to comment with your “go to” tips for winter living. These tips help get the next camper prepared and set up for their long-term stationary stays, and its great knowledge to pass on to others.

Cheers!