Camping in fall and winter presents a specific set of obstacles to overcome. One of the most pressing issues is, of course, keeping your RV warm. Not only can cold weather damage your RV, specifically when temperatures drop below freezing, but a chill in your unit can put a damper on the whole trip. To help make winter RVing more enjoyable, we gathered this list of tips to help keep your RV warm in winter.
Keep Your RV Warm When You Camp in Winter
Insulate RV Floors
RV floor insulation will help keep your RV warm and will help reduce engine noise and vibrations on the road. Floor insulation should be installed between the floor and subfloor in your unit. The main options for floor insulation are foam board and automotive insulation.
Foam board insulation is thicker and often more effective at maintaining temperatures, but it’s rigid and difficult to install. Meanwhile, automotive insulation is flexible and easy to install. Additionally, it has a vapor barrier and high weight-bearing capabilities, which makes automotive insulation ideal for most RVs. You can purchase automotive insulation online and install it yourself, or you can let the RV service team at Juniata Valley RV install it for you!
Insulate Your Doors and Windows
Much of the heat inside your RV is lost to the single-pane windows in most units. If you feel a draft near the windows and doors, or a noticeable drop in temperature, you’ll know you need to work on the insulation. This can involve both upgrading your windows and doors or replacing the caulking and stripping.
A low-cost option to help keep your RV warm is to re-caulk and replace the weather stripping. Weather stripping will normally last two to three years before it begins to deteriorate. After that, we recommend a replacement. You can also purchase shrink insulation to install on your windows.
On a similar note, you can check on the rubber seals and gaskets around your RV windows and doors. These should be inspected and lubricated regularly, and should be replaced once they begin to deteriorate. Cracked or hardened seals provide an easy path for cold air to slip into your unit.
The last option is a complete replacement to upgrade your RV windows and doors. You can opt to switch out cheaper, single-pane windows for more high-quality, energy-efficient options. If you’re in or near Pennsylvania, the service department at Juniata Valley RV can help with this!
Install an RV Skirt
RV skirts can be installed around the bottom of your RV to prevent cold air from entering the undercarriage. RV skirts are popular in colder months, plus they can often be aesthetically pleasing and offer extra storage space underneath your unit. RV skirting seals the air underneath your RV off from the outside, so the air there stays stationary and warm.
RV skirting can protect your pipes from freezing, which can cause damage if they are filled with water. Additionally, if the air underneath your camper is warm, it helps keep the floors warm as well. In this sense, RV skirts have the same logic as double-pane windows. You seal off a pocket of warm air. By doing so, you gain another layer of insulation.
Additional RV Accessories
Another cost-effective, easy option to keep your RV warm is to purchase interior accessories. This means decorating your RV with window shades, curtains, and rugs or carpets. These provide an additional layer of insulation to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. In addition to preserving heat, they can add to the homey feel inside your camper. You can easily add some décor that fits your tastes and personalizes your camper while saving cash on RV heat.
Portable Heat Sources
Another low-cost option to keep your RV warm and cozy is the addition of space heaters and electric blankets. These offer localized heat right where you need it. They’re especially popular heat sources at night. You can easily add a space heater to the bedroom, or huddle under the warmth of a heated blanket. As long as you use them safely and responsibly, these are great options to help stay warm.
RV Heat Pumps
Our last suggestion to help keep your RV warm in winter months is an RV heat pump. These pumps provide warm, dry air in your unit. They lower indoor humidity levels and raise the temperature. There are two types of RV heat pumps: ducted and non-ducted. In general, ducted pumps are better for large campers and non-ducted work in small campers. While these do require electricity to run, the addition of warm air and removal of humidity can go a long way to keep your RV warm.
All of these resources, or any combination of them, will do wonders to conserve heat and help keep your RV warm all fall and winter long. Camping season doesn’t always have to end when the leaves fall! At Juniata Valley RV, we have plenty of RVs for sale that are ready to provide you with winter living. You can also check out our new RVs for sale specifically, and ask us about modern units with extra heating sources, like an electric fireplace. Once you’re ready to see a unit in person, visit our dealership in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania. Our staff is always happy to take you on a tour!
Begin Your Adventure
