If you happen to’re contemplating hanging out on a winter RV tenting journey, good for you! It’s an unimaginable alternative to get some actually distinctive tenting experiences underneath your belt.
Nonetheless, 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 as a result of temperature dropping beneath freezing.
Similar to pipes can freeze and burst in your home, they will additionally freeze and burst in your RV. Actually, it’s extra probably 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, do not forget that wind chill can play an element, and climate apps aren’t at all times correct. It’s higher protected than sorry.
Winterizing your RV will imply that you could’t use the water–not even for showering. If you happen to’re deeply connected to having your water working in your winter tenting journey, you should buy a heated hose and pipe heaters.
What You Have to 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! Be sure to test earlier than you start winterizing.
Whereas studying how one can winterize your RV might be difficult the primary time, it’s price it to keep away from mopping up floodwater out of your RV and having to cope with damaged pipes.
Discovering the Proper Winter Campground
What to Look For
If you happen to’re winterizing your RV, you’ll wish to be sure you select a campground with a bathhouse, until it’s a really quick journey. Physique odor and RVs don’t mesh effectively.
You’ll additionally wish to select a campground with potable water accessible, or be sure you carry loads 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 provide alternatives for winter actions, akin to cross-country snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, and extra.
If you happen to can, choose a campground the place firewood is on the market for buy, both inside the campground itself or shut by. Odds are you’ll need a hearth going extra usually than you would possibly in the summertime.
What to Keep away from
Strive to not choose campgrounds which are fairly distant for winter RV tenting.
Winter climate might be unpredictable and harmful, and in case of emergencies, it will likely be safer to remain nearer to civilization…and cell service!
If something goes unsuitable with the RV or you find yourself stranded for any purpose, 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 america!
If you happen to 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 may well make for a peaceable and distinctive solution to bond along with your shut household over the vacations!
When 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 consider they could lean hotter than different months. Since November is true on the cusp between fall and winter, the campgrounds should still 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 the event you select to insulate the undercarriage of your RV. Nonetheless, it’s not unwise to maintain one available.
As a result of the RV is a smaller house, you don’t must spend money on something too fancy; a heater that may cowl the house of 1 room ought to do it. You should purchase one which runs on electrical energy, or a gas-powered one in the event 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 straightforward manner to assist preserve your pipes safer and the RV itself a lot hotter!
You should use skirting kits, get a custom-made vinyl tarp on your RV’s dimensions, or lower your expenses by DIYing the skirting/
Vinyl is the favored alternative of fabric for insulation, however you may also use foam, canvas, polyethylene, and even plywood!
What You Want for Winter RV Tenting
Snow and Ice Scrapers
This may increasingly appear to be a no brainer, however it may be straightforward to overlook, particularly you probably have a motorhome as a substitute of a journey trailer!
We don’t at all times take into consideration needing a snow and ice scraper for our RVs; in spite of everything, we often drive them in the summertime.
However identical to our different automobiles, RVs can get crusted in snow and ice, which might make it tough and even inconceivable to maneuver them. All the time carry 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 spend money on them. If you happen to’re not going to be winter tenting usually, you in all probability don’t want to fret about swapping out your tires.
You should use snow chains on RV tires; nonetheless, it’s extremely really helpful that you simply solely use them in an emergency, and that you simply take them off as quickly as you may. They’ll 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 Package
Repurposing a automotive emergency equipment as your RV emergency equipment is one other good solution to prep for potential points. You wish to be ready for a winter climate emergency it doesn’t matter what you occur to be driving!
Two elements 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 associates if you must get your RV unstuck in slippery, snowy circumstances.
Meals and Water
Carry loads of meals and water in your journey–together with emergency rations and non-perishable gadgets. If you happen to lose energy or find yourself caught within the campground for longer than anticipated, you’ll be blissful you overprepared.
As talked about, drinkable water can be vital, contemplating your pipes will likely be crammed with antifreeze. Top off greater than you assume you want, and fill up much more than that if the campground doesn’t have potable water.
Heat Out of doors Gear
Be sure to carry all the required winter outside gear–not only a coat! You wish to be sure you have sturdy, heat boots, gloves, a hat, and possibly even snowpants or a snowsuit.
You’ll additionally wish to carry hand and foot heaters. Bear in mind you’ll be spending lots of time outside, even when it’s simply across the hearth! Numb fingers and toes aren’t any enjoyable for anybody, and frostbite can occur even whenever you’re a couple of toes away out of your heat RV.
Frostbite can occur rapidly, and it may well occur with out you being conscious of it! It’s at all times higher protected than sorry in terms of sporting your winter gear.
Further Firewood
If the campground doesn’t have firewood on the market–and actually, even when it does–be sure you carry loads of further firewood together with you, so long as it’s allowed.
If you happen to lose energy whereas RV tenting within the winter, the fireplace could grow to be your new cooking medium, in addition to a warmth supply. You wish to be sure you received’t run out of gas for it!
Further Gas for the Heater–and Your Car!
Talking of gas and warmth sources, you probably have an extra heater that requires a gas aside from electrical energy (akin to propane), be sure you carry further propane alongside.
Attempt to carry 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. As an illustration, 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 toes!
You too can carry alongside different gadgets to remain cozy, akin to fluffy robes, heated blankets, heat PJs, and particular snacks.
We additionally suggest bringing the components to make your favourite sizzling chocolate, espresso, or tea, in addition to some favourite mugs.
In Case of Emergency
What To Do If You Get “Snowed In”
If you happen to get “snowed in” and might’t go away the campground, there are some things you must do.
First, be sure you 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 unsuitable, it’s vital that somebody is conscious of the place you’re.
Thirdly, preserve salting your steps right down to preserve ice from gathering. A fall isn’t good, however it’s particularly not ultimate within the midst of a storm.
When you have advance discover {that a} storm is on its manner, 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
If you happen to do select to not winterize your RV earlier than your winter RV tenting journey, it’s possible you’ll find yourself with a burst pipe. If you happen to attempt to flip your water on and spot leakage or flooding, right here’s what you do.
First, shut off the water pump.
Subsequent, strive your greatest to trace down the burst pipe. This might take some time; the burst pipe could possibly 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 short lived repair, however it’ll purchase you time to get someplace the place it may be repaired!
Mop up the standing water earlier than you are 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
If you happen to’re driving your motorhome or dragging your journey trailer behind you, and also you discover the street circumstances have grow to be icy and harmful, don’t attempt to push by.
As an alternative, flip in your hazards, pull over slowly and thoroughly, and put together to attend out the storm.
Motorhomes are far tougher to cease than your typical automotive, and journey trailers can throw off your car’s steadiness. Slippery roads are at all times a hazard, however they’re even worse in the event you’re driving with an RV in tow.
If you happen to completely need to preserve going, go as sluggish as is protected alongside different site visitors. Be particularly cautious when taking curves or turns, and don’t slam on the brake or speed up quickly. All the time use your indicators, and remember 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 enormous perks of RV tenting within the winter! You’ll be able to head out to some unimaginable locations for snowboarding or sledding and know that you’ve got a pleasant heat RV to return again to.
Snow Hikes
Mountain climbing within the snow is an expertise that may result in some actually unimaginable views. Many tenting trails supply lookout spots, however few individuals get to expertise these views with snow glittering over each floor.
Totally different Wildlife
You’ll probably spot a distinct number of wildlife within the winter than in the summertime. Actually, with a backdrop of white and never as a lot foliage to cover themselves in, it’s possible you’ll even spot extra wildlife than typical!
Emptier Campgrounds
Final however not least, it doesn’t matter what month you select on 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 biggest adventures you may have through 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 types…together with campfire tales!
With a few years of each tent tenting and RV tenting underneath her belt, the power to roll her ankle a number of instances with out truly spraining it whereas mountain 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.
