How Do You Survive the Winter in an RV?
Winter RV living boils down to one thing: planning. Your RV has feelings, and it dislikes the cold just as much as you do! If you don't keep your RV warm, you'll have a lot of problems. Pipes in your RV might break just like they can at home, and cold weather can kill your RV batteries. Even though many four-season RVs come with thermal packages that provide additional insulation, it is still insufficient for RVing in sub-zero temperatures in freezing weather. Put your RV in a skirt if you're camping in the wintertime!
The battery cells, piping, and other vital components will be kept warm by skirting the RV. You can pack snow around the RV spaces if you don't have a skirt.No matter how well insulated the manufacturer claims them to be, RV windows lose a lot of heat. Foam insulation boards, bubble insulation, solar blankets, and other materials can be used to insulate them. Line your windows with heavy-weight thermal panels for added warmth. In case of any problem, you can contact Airstream dealers in Mississippi and Tennessee.
In the Winter, How Do RVs Stay Warm?
When it comes to RVing in the winter, there's one significant area of uncertainty for many campers: the HVAC system. Many trailers feature both a "heat pump" installed into the overhead unit and a propane-fueled onboard furnace. How can you determine which is the right one to use? The solution is simple. If the temperature drops below 45 degrees, you should use your RV's furnace rather than the heat pump.
While your furnace burns propane, it is more effective at quickly warming a space. As a result, if you plan on living full-time in an RV throughout the winter, make sure you have plenty of propane on board! When you leave your RV for the day, make sure the thermostat is set to turn on your heater if the temperature inside reaches a specific level - it can be very cool if you don't have any pets waiting for you, but you don't want it to freeze inside while you're gone.
Purchase Heater for your RV
Along with skirting, heat tape, and insulation, there's one more thing you can do to keep your setup warm in the winter: purchase some small internal space heater! To augment your RV's heater, you can utilize electric or propane space warmers. They're cheap and only draw a small amount of power. They're also a lot less expensive than replacing your RV's plumbing system after a freeze.
Keep your cabinet doors open to expose the pipes to the inside heat, which will guarantee that your heaters provide the best protection available. That's especially true when you're outside your RV, and the open doors aren't getting in the way or disrupting your RV life. If you live in different states of America, you can call Airstream dealers in Tennessee in case of any problem.
Checklist for RVing in the Winter
Let's speak about keeping you warm now that we've covered the basics of keeping your RV warm. Even in the best of conditions, living in a travel trailer during the winter may be challenging, so make sure to include a few winter accessories on your packing list.
Consider including the following items in your RV vacation kit, in addition to the usual things:
- Coats, hats, and other winter gear
- Winter boots and heavy-duty shoes
- Heat tape, thermal curtains, and other equipment are required for winterizing your RV.
- a heated water hose that won't free
- A Skirt for RVs
- A scraper for ice
- Antifreeze for RVs — as well as antifreeze for your tow vehicle's or motorhome's engine.
What is the best RV to live in during the winter?
Even though many RVs are labeled as four-season or insulated, not all rigs are made alike to winterize an RV. Camping in a pop-up camper in the snow, for example, is a prescription for frostbite. Or, at the very least, a restless night's sleep. The best RV for winter living is one that is completely self-contained and as well insulated as possible, possibly with additional aftermarket insulation added as well. in case of any query, you can contact the best RV dealers in different states of America.
Larger motorhomes and travel trailers may be made of more durable, weather-resistant materials. Still, a smaller travel trailer may be easier to heat because it has less internal living space. Keep in mind that some travel trailers, particularly large, luxurious fifth wheels, come with heaters, which might be a pleasant feature for those planning on traveling in freezing weather. And, regardless of which setup you choose, make sure it has an internal heater because, as previously said, the HVAC heat pump won't keep you warm below freezing!
How to Prepare an RV for Winter Use
If you're planning to spend the winter in your RV, you won't want to winterize it because it will be impossible to use the plumbing and water system fully. However, if you're planning to store your RV, you'll need to winterize it if your area gets below freezing! There are two techniques to winterize your RV's plumbing system. You may run RV antifreeze through the entire plumbing system, which is completely safe because RV antifreeze is harmless.
However, some campers claim that the taste of the RV antifreeze residue lingers for a long time after it's been drained, and alcohol-based antifreeze can dry up and ruin your plumbing fittings over time. You can contact the best Airstream dealers in Tennessee and Mississippi in case of any problem. If you use RV antifreeze to winterize your RV, ensure you don't use the water heater. Also, double-check that you're using the correct antifreeze — normal engine antifreeze has no place in RV plumbing!