Living Full-Time in your RV during the winter can present a challenge without proper preparation. Depending on what part of the country you are living in, the winter weather can bring about a few challenges. Keeping the water flowing and keeping yourself warm during the winter just requires a little up front planning.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the most of full time RV living during the winter.
- Winterize your rv plumbing. This one tactic should be the foundation for keeping the water flowing during the winter. You need to make sure your pipes, hoses and tanks are protected from the elements in freezing temperatures. Make sure your pipes and hoses are insulated especially if they are exposed to the outside. If your RV offers heated tanks or pipes make sure they are in proper working order.
- Install exterior skirting. You have a lot of options when shopping for insulated RV skirting. You may even find some specially designed for your particular model. Properly installed skirting helps keep not only your undercarriage warmer but helps the interior retain warmth as well.
- Insulate windows and floors? If you have felt a draft make sure your windows are properly sealed. Use thermal rated curtains during the winter to help keep the cold out and the heat in. On sunny days open them up to let the sun radiate warmth inside. For your floors add heavy thick rugs to tile or linoleum flooring. This will help provide some insulation as well as help keep your feet warm.
- Check your exterior doors for proper sealing. Make sure the weatherstripping around your doors are in good shape and properly installed.
- Keep an eye on the weather. Being weather aware will give you the opportunity to be prepared when temperatures plummet, the wind howls and frozen precipitation falls. Don’t just check the weather forecast for the day, also pay attention to the 7 and 10-day forecasts.
We would be remiss if we didn’t remind you to make sure your carbon monoxide alarms are in proper working order. Especially if your RV uses gas appliances. During the winter you may use your stove or oven to help heat the space which can add to the carbon monoxide danger. Also, if you have gone to the effort to seal those windows and doors the living space of your rig won’t be getting a lot of fresh air. It is also important to make sure carbon monoxide alarms are working properly all year round.
Full time living in your RV during the winter doesn’t have to be a frigid experience. Proper preparation and planning will help you stay warm and safe during the winter.