Winter RVing

The best recommendation for camping during the winter months is to avoid locations where temperatures will drop below freezing. It is not recommended to camp in freezing temperatures to avoid damages to the RV/trailer. It is also hard to keep the RV warm during freezing temperatures, it is not like being at home where you turn on the heat and it easily stays nice and warm. The RV does not hold heat and air the same way a home does, so in extreme heat or cold it is a struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature. Please follow the recommendations laid out to not only help insure your comfort but also to prevent damage to the RV. The last thing you want to have happen on a trip in the cold is to freeze, crack or break tanks/pipes and leave yourself without water.

Tanks, water lines, and plumbing CAN and WILL freeze in temperatures below freezing. This will result in not only very expensive damages but also a very miserable trip if things have been damaged and now you are without plumbing.

1. Do NOT remain hooked up to a water supply during freezing temperatures. Keep water in your fresh water tank as well as extra bottles or gallons of water on hand in case tanks freeze so you will not be without water.
2. Do NOT store the water hose with any water in it. Make sure you disconnect and drain all of the water out of the hose before the sun goes down.
3. Do NOT remain connected to the sewage connections for all the same reasons. Dump before night time and close tanks.

Winter camping tips

* Open the cabinet doors where plumbing is to help circulate the warm air around the pipes
* Place blocks under stabilizer jacks to prevent jacks being frozen to the ground
* Depending on weather an ice scraper could be beneficial to have on hand
* Park in a sunny area to help warm the RV/trailer during the day
* Pack a blow dryer to use in case you freeze things and need to defrost them
* Electric blankets, heating pad, hand and feet warmers, warm sleeping bag etc can help keep you cozy
* Pack for layers! Extra socks, sweaters, even thermals will help keep you warm.
* Keep your gas tank at least half full as often as possible, it helps engine performance.
* Remember to check propane levels. Although you are leaving with full propane…… for longer trips you will definitely need to refill the propane. Don’t leave yourself stranded without heat!
* Continually check the weather and road conditions. Watch for black ice while traveling, especially at night!
* Plan for alternate routes or even locations….stay flexible in case you need to change plans to avoid bad weather or freezing temperatures.
* In addition to the RV heater you can use an additional heater, catalytic heaters are the safest…..no fumes and stays cool to the touch. You can plug into an outlet if you are connected to shore power. If you have a lot of condensation you can also add a dehumidifier.
* Make sure to keep all bedding, luggage and clothing away from heat sources.
* We highly recommend that winter camping be done at campsites where you can plug into shore power. It cuts down on the amount of items you have to be concerned about and makes for a more enjoyable trip.
* Remember poor circulation and ventilation can directly impact the CO2 sensor and will set off the alarm.

Roadside assistance is not only for trouble on the road they are also there to send a mobile RV Technician if you have something break that directly impacts the RVs normal usage….a slide or awning not retracting, door handle breaking, heat not working….things of that nature. We recommend reaching out to our office first, and/or emailing us to try and trouble shoot an issue so we can advise if the problem you are experiencing is something that Roadside can assist with.
We DO NOT want you to have an uncomfortable or miserable trip so please reach out if you are experiencing any issues with the functionality of the RV.