Ready or not, winter is right around the corner. The winter weather is definitely something you need to prepare yourself and your RV for. In this months blog, we will be going over some steps you can take to prepare for traveling in the cold winter months.

What does Winterizing Mean?

Winterizing is a popular term in the RV community. This term simply means getting your RV ready for winter. There are many different ways to winterize your rig. We are going to touch on a few of them as well as things to consider.

Check Campground Schedules

Not all campgrounds are open year round. So, you will want to make sure that you do your research on campgrounds that are open during the winter season and those that would allow you to stay long term if that is something you are interested in. Most campgrounds that are open year round will lower their rates during their “low-season”. You definitely don’t want to be stuck in the cold with no place to park.

Drive Carefully

It goes without saying that driving with snow on the ground is a lot different then driving without. So, there will be extra precautions you have to take, especially in an RV. You need to make sure you are driving slowly and you take your time turning, accelerating, and braking. The snowy roads could cause your RV to slide, which is almost never a good thing. It is a good idea to invest in quality tire chains. Tire chains are made to cover the wheels of your vehicle to give you better traction on snow, frozen surfaces, and ice. You can put chains on your motorhome and your travel trailers. You normally will only need to put tire chains on your tow vehicle since these are the wheels pulling the heavy weight.

Packing List

A list always helps to ensure you do not forget to pack any essentials. The following are some things we think should be on your winter packing list and why.

Snow Shovel: Having a snow shovel on hand can save you from being buried and stuck in the snow.
Water Proof Gloves, Snow Jacket, and Snow Boots: These will keep you warm and dry, making hooking up in the snow and shoveling it much more bearable.
Heated Water Hose: Having one of these lowers your chances of having your water hose freeze tremendously. This is defiantly a must have.
Heat Tape: You can wrap heat tape around the spigot to keep it from freezing. Heat tape can also be wrapped around plastic and metal pipes.
Holding Tank Heating Pads: These will also help protect your tanks from freezing.

Benefits of Winter Camping

Though staying in a RV during the winter is not appealing to some, there are benefits to RV camping in the winter months. This is normally the slowest season for most campgrounds which means the camps won’t be as crowded as it would be during the summer, giving you a more secluded feel. If you are a fan of the snow you get to see the different kinds of snowfall in different places. You can also experience different winter traditions! You also don’t have to deal with all the bugs that will be out and about during summer.

What to Prep Before Your Trip

Before you head on the road, there are a few things you should check and do. Make sure you clean your furnace and ducts. This will improve your over all air quality and kick out less dust when you turn your heat on. It is also a good idea to fill your fresh water tank and your propane. When filling your propane, make sure to avoid putting it off. Fill your propane tank during the day to prevent running out at night. If you are going to be staying somewhere long term, invest in a 150-gallon tank. Having a larger tanks makes the time between fill ups less frequent. You also need to make sure you inspect your RV’s battery for corrosion or damage and ensure they are charged.

Clothing and Bedding

A huge part of staying warm and comfy is the clothes and bedding you pack. You want to make sure you pack plenty of things to keep you warm. Layering is key! Fleece long sleeves under sweaters and leggings under pants will go a long way to helping you stay warm. And of course fuzzy socks! As for bedding, make sure you pack thick, heavy blankets, and flannel sheets. These will help keep you warm at night. Heated blankets are also a good investment and very comfortable.

How to Prepare for Winter in an RV