Tips for Cold Weather RVing
For those of us in Central Washington and Oregon, winter temperatures keep many RVs locked up and unoccupied for several months of the year. This is a tragedy when you consider how beautiful the area is during the snowy winter months. If you’re willing to put in the work to get your RV out into nature during the winter, you’ll be greatly rewarded.
This short guide explains how to plan and execute a winter RV camping trip. Read on to learn about strategies for camping in cold weather and hazards to avoid. When you’re looking for a perfect four season RV, stop by Broadmoor RV. Our Pasco, Washington location serves the areas of Kennewick, Richland, Spokane, and Walla Walla, Washington, as well as Seattle, Washington.
Weather
Planning for and responding to the weather is the most important part of cold weather camping. There is a difference between camping in a winter wonderland and braving the storm of the century. Only through vigilantly tracking the weather will you make sure you get the former and not the latter. Make sure to monitor the weather in the days before your trip. It’s helpful to bring an internet connected phone or computer so that you can keep an eye on potential storm activity during your trip. If inclement weather such as ice or snow is predicted, pack up your camp and head to safety. The last thing you want is to get stuck at a camp for more time than you’re prepared to last.
Prepare Your Trailer
A few preparations will make your trailer much more comfortable and functional in cold weather. Insulation is a good place to start. A trailer skirt will help to keep cold air from blowing under your trailer. This will keep your trailer surprisingly much warmer. Trailer skirts are made for many RV models. Inside your RV, the door is often one of the biggest culprits for leaking air. If you have a staircase down to the door, cover the stair case with a piece of plywood. Putting some foam insulation on the underside will make this even more effective. Make sure to keep your windows covered, too. Simple plastic film insulation can often help, as can heavy curtains. The best solution is boards of foam insulation.
It’s extremely important to keep your pipes from freezing. You can wrap insulation and heat tape around them for a homemade solution. An RV skirt will also help on this front. If your blackwater and greywater tanks aren’t heated, look for a water tank heater.
Plan & Double Check Your Packing List
Getting the details right on your packing list is crucial. Missing even a relatively simple item can lead to cascading problems. Make sure to check and double check your packing list and confirm that you’ve packed everything you need. Pay special attention to your emergency supplies, food supply, fire starting supplies, and survival supplies. Forgetting your supply of DVDs might be annoying, but you’ll live. You don’t want to leave your first aid supplies behind.
Watch Road Conditions
It’s important to watch the weather as it relates to road conditions, too, and to continuously monitor those conditions as you drive. If the temperature is near freezing, chances are you’ll be dealing with some black ice at some point. If snow is starting to accumulate on the road, you’ll lose a significant amount of traction. If it rains in the afternoon and the temperature drops in the evening, that rain can and probably will freeze over. Towing a travel trailer or driving a motorhome can be hazardous enough in normal conditions. Doing so when the road conditions are questionable is even more dangerous.
While it’s important to be prepared if you’re going to camp during the colder months, there are plenty of reasons to plan a winter trip. Stop by Broadmoor RV to see our full line of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes. We’re located in Pasco, Washington, and we proudly serve the areas of Kennewick, Richland, Spokane, and Walla Walla, Washington, as well a Seattle, Washington..