Going out in the cold with your RV just takes a bit of prep time. Ensure that you don’t have a rolling froze mess upon return means that it’s time to get to work. Fixing up any leaks from the outside with caulk can help keep the inside toasty warm. Adding antifreeze to the holding tanks can keep them in proper working condition.
And, remember to keep your freshwater hooks up nice and warm with a heated hose or better yet, fill your fresh water tank and disconnect the hoses. And, so much more. Let’s take a look at the RV one step at a time.
Exterior and Windows
Most RV’s are not made for the extreme cold weather. If you are going out in the extreme cold, you’ll want to prepare the place the best you can to stay warm. One of these areas is the windows and doors. Should you not have winter ranking windows, you may want to consider getting some plastic to put over the windows to help insulate it.
Go a step further and get some large bubble wrap or insulating foam to put between the window and plastic. This will form a barrier to the outside. Go around a caulk any areas that need it. Seal off all ceiling vents and skylights with this method as well. As those are great areas for heat to escape.
Holding Tanks
The holding tanks should be looked over really well and heat tape and foam should be applied to the pipes where needed. This will help stop any internal ice dams from forming. And, the use of the RV Antifreeze is important in this case. You can also get RV holding tank heaters which might be a better option.
And, your sewer hose should be wrapped in heated tape or some prefer to use it, rinse and clean it out and store it in a heated area. This will keep it from cracking. A cracked sewer line can be a bit of a mess that nobody wants to deal with. So, figure out a solution for this before going out in the cold.
Furnace and Heat Source
Heating an RV in the winter is going to take much more energy than cooling it in the summer. Prepare yourself for this. If you heat with propane, ensure you have a refill station close by, as it will only last a couple of days. Or bring along a larger tank for less need to refill. Check the furnace and ensure it’s in proper working order. And, you can always run electric heaters as well. Maybe taking a spare is a good idea as a backup plan.
And, always, always pack for the worst. If you are taking the RV out where there are not other people, ensure you pack to stay warm. Extra blankets, coats, clothing, and more to battle the cold. Take along several heat sources that can be used in emergencies as well as cell phones. Take along a blow dryer to thaw out frozen pipes and extra food and cash.
Cash can buy your way to town if need be for help. Check to be sure the place you want to go is open before heading out. And, have fun on this wonderful winter adventure!
