Using Your RV During Winter
It’s common for owners of RVs to park them during wintertime, however, if you’re adventurous or live in your RV full-time, it will still be seeing a lot of use. It’s important to prepare yourself, your family, and your RV for cold weather. Preventing damage to your RV and being mindful of your family’s health and comfort should be priorities this season. Here are some tips for winter RV use.
Tips for Winter RV Use Include Staying Warm
Keeping warm in an RV is challenging, as you won’t have the insulation or central heating that a house does. Make sure everyone traveling with you has lots of layers that they can add or remove depending on the temperature. Keep several blankets handy for people to wrap up in on colder days and nights. Space heaters also help to reduce the chill, but these should only be run intermittently to prevent a fire hazard. Never leave a space heater running unattended.
Insulate Your RV
Upgrading the insulation is one of the best tips for winter RV use. Make improvements to the insulation even if your RV seems secure from the elements. Use spray foam insulation in hard-to-reach areas, seal windows and doors, and add weatherstripping to your storage compartments. Hire a professional to add more complex upgrades like double-walled windows or better insulation in the walls and ceiling.
Investing in a Generator is One of the Tips for Winter RV Use
A portable generator is very helpful in the wintertime. It provides a backup source of power during emergencies where cold is a factor. Run a space heater from it if you need to keep parts of your RV warm for a bit. Some models have ports to charge phones while they are running, which is a great thing to have when you are far from a campsite. This is a great way to stay prepared during wintertime.
Reduce Humidity
Reducing humidity will help you combat the cold during winter. Set up a portable dehumidifier and run it in the same way you would a space heater. Keep your vents closed unless you are taking a shower, and keep your showers short. One of the tips for winter RV use is to refrain from cooking things that produce a lot of steam, such as soups and stews.
Keep Your Water From Freezing
Protecting your water lines should be one of the most important things you’ll do during winter. Broken pipes will cause expensive damage to your RV and may even limit your usable water. Wrap your water lines in insulation and cover the lower portion of your RV in a skirt to protect it from cold air. Add antifreeze to the grey and black holding tanks to keep those tanks from freezing. Top off your fresh water holding tank, if possible. A larger amount of water takes longer to freeze than a smaller one.
Getting a Maintenance Inspection is One of the Most Important Tips for Winter RV Use
Schedule a maintenance inspection with a trained professional to identify any safety concerns. Doing so makes it less likely that your RV will malfunction or break down when you need it most. If your RV is beginning to have issues, it’s best to make repairs early before you’re left in a bind in the middle of nowhere.
Foremost RV Inspections provides inspection services to customers in Tennessee and Kentucky. Contact us to request an appointment.