Winter Camping: Sleeping Warmly In Your Camper

Camping in a camper during winter can be a unique and exciting experience. However, it requires thorough preparation to ensure a comfortable and safe trip. The key considerations are insulation, heating, and moisture management. While some campers are better suited for sub-freezing temperatures, almost any camper can be used in winter with the right modifications and precautions.

Insulating your camper is crucial to retaining heat and protecting your pipes and tanks from freezing. This can be achieved through various methods, such as using foam insulation boards, bubble wrap, or specialised RV skirting. Additionally, sealing windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping helps prevent heat loss.

Heating is another vital aspect of winter camping. While some campers have built-in furnaces or HVAC systems, supplementary heating sources like space heaters or electric blankets may be necessary. It's important to monitor your propane levels and have a plan for refilling or accessing alternative power sources.

Managing moisture is also essential to prevent condensation and mould. Dehumidifiers, vent covers, and proper ventilation techniques are key to maintaining a dry and comfortable environment.

By preparing your camper, insulating effectively, managing heat sources, and addressing moisture, you can enjoy a warm and safe camping experience during the winter months.

Insulation and heating

• Seal windows and doors: Check the seals and cords around your windows and replace any missing or weak areas. Place a weatherstrip around exterior doors to prevent cold air or moisture from leaking inside.
• Install window coverings: Use window film, reflective foil, or heavy fabric drapes to block cold drafts and keep warm air inside. Reflective foil also helps reflect heat back into the camper.
• Insulate the floor: Use foam board flooring or heavy rugs/carpets to insulate the floor and block cold air.
• Skirt the exterior: Attach a skirt (a material that encircles the bottom of your camper) to create a barrier between your camper and the cold ground, helping to retain warmth.
• Choose the right heating: Most camper heaters run on propane, which is effective but requires advance planning for availability and refills. Electric heaters are a good alternative when connected to power at a campground.
• Protect your plumbing: Drain your plumbing system to prevent water from freezing and bursting pipes. You can use a blowout plug and an air compressor or antifreeze.
• Insulate your water heater: Use water heater insulation blankets to keep the temperature of your freshwater up and prevent freezing.
• Add extra insulation: Use rugs and thermal curtains to trap heat inside. Cover windows with bubble wrap or foam insulation boards, and then hang heavy thermal curtains for extra warmth and light control.
• Use a space heater: A small space heater can help heat your camper quickly and efficiently. Just be sure to follow safety precautions and never leave it unattended.

Plumbing and water

Drain the Plumbing System

Completely drain your plumbing system to prevent water from freezing inside. There are two effective ways to do this:

• Using a Blowout Plug: Disconnect your camper from external water sources and turn off all power. Open the faucets to drain the water and flush the toilet. Connect an air compressor hose to the blowout plug and turn on the compressor until all water is removed from the faucets. Then, close the drain valves and empty the water heater tank.
• Using Antifreeze: Pump non-toxic antifreeze through the system using a hand pump or the camper's internal water pump. Continue until bright pink antifreeze comes out of the faucets, indicating that the system is clear of water. Repeat this process for both hot and cold sides of each faucet.

Protect Your RV's Plumbing Connections

Even with the plumbing system drained, you must protect the connections from freezing temperatures. Here are some tips:

• Use heat tape on pipes and hoses to keep the lines warm.
• Apply heating strips to your freshwater and sewer hoses.
• Use foam insulation in conjunction with heat tape for added protection.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow heat inside the trailer to keep plumbing warm.
• Allow a small drip from faucets to keep water moving and prevent freezing.

Use the Internal Freshwater Tank

Instead of connecting to external water sources, fill your internal freshwater tank as your primary water source. This allows you to safely disconnect and store your freshwater hose, reducing the risk of freezing.

Insulate and Heat Water Tanks

Water expands when it freezes, which can cause water tanks and pipes to crack or burst. Here are some tips to prevent this:

• Insulate water tanks and pipes using blankets or other insulating materials.
• Place a small heater near the tanks and pipes to provide a heat source and prevent freezing. Ensure you follow safety precautions and maintain a safe distance from combustible materials.

Use RV Antifreeze

If you plan to store your camper during winter, consider using RV antifreeze in your plumbing system and gray/black tanks. Flush antifreeze down toilets and pour it into drains, but do not put it into your freshwater tank or water heater.

Clothing and food

Staying warm and well-fed is essential for a comfortable winter camping experience. Here are some tips for clothing and food to help you stay warm and enjoy your winter camping trip:

• Clothing: Wear lots of layers to trap body heat and keep yourself warm. The general advice is to start with a thick thermal base layer, followed by a lightweight jumper for insulation, and finally, a weather-proof shell to protect you from the elements. Opt for synthetic materials like Polartec and Goretex, as well as natural fibres such as leather, wool, and fleece. Don't forget to pack warm socks, a hat, gloves, and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun on snow.
• Food: Your body burns more calories to stay warm in cold weather, so make sure to stock up on food. Bring ready-to-eat snacks and easy-to-cook meals with plenty of calories and nutrients. Some good options include nuts, seeds, energy bars, eggs, canned goods, pre-popped popcorn, beans, rice, pancake batter, potatoes, dried fruit, dried herbs and spices, and pasta. Don't forget to stay hydrated, as it's easy to forget to drink enough water when it's cold. Consider investing in a thermal flask to keep your drinks hot.
• Stay Warm: Your metabolism increases in cold weather, so you'll need to eat more to stay warm. Enjoy hot meals and snacks, and consider bringing a sleeping bag rated for cold weather to retain your body heat at night. Using a hot water bottle can also help keep you warm at night.
• Stay Dry: Make sure your outer layer of clothing is waterproof to keep moisture out and prevent your inner layers from getting wet. This is crucial to staying warm, as wet clothing can lead to a significant loss of body heat.
• Exercise: Doing some light exercises before bed can help warm up your body, making it easier to fall asleep. Try doing some jumping jacks, jogging in place, or even chasing your friends around the camp to get your blood pumping.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water is crucial, even if you don't feel as thirsty as you would in hot weather. Keep a water bottle with you at all times, and consider investing in an insulated water bottle cover to prevent the water from freezing.

Safety precautions

Staying in a camper during winter can be a fun experience, but it requires a lot of preparation to ensure your safety and comfort. Here are some essential safety precautions to follow:

• Insulation: Proper insulation is critical to retaining heat and protecting your camper from cold weather damage. Use insulating foam boards, cut to fit snugly between your camper's frame and the ground. Seal drafty areas with weatherstripping, and cover windows with curtains, drapes, or thermal insulation like Reflectix.
• Plumbing Protection: Take steps to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. Drain your plumbing system or use RV antifreeze to protect your freshwater, grey, and black water tanks. Insulate pipes with heat tape and consider using a heated RV water hose.
• Water Management: Water is your enemy in winter. Drain and disconnect water hoses when temperatures drop below freezing. Keep your freshwater tank full and use bottled water for daily needs.
• Battery Maintenance: RV batteries lose their charge more quickly in cold weather. Use heat pads to keep them warm and ensure they are fully charged and securely connected.
• Safe Driving: If travelling between campsites, drive slowly, avoid sudden changes, maintain a safe distance, and stay updated on weather conditions. Carry an emergency kit with an ice scraper, sand or kitty litter, road flares, extra clothing, and bottled water.
• Heating: Choose the right heating method for your camper. Most RV heaters run on propane, but require advance planning for refills. Electric heaters are convenient when connected to power, but ensure adequate ventilation and keep flammable objects away.
• Ventilation: Maintain proper ventilation to prevent condensation and mould. Use vent covers to keep warmth in while allowing airflow.
• Campground Choice: Choose a campground that remains open during winter and is located in an area with adequate sun exposure.
• Clothing and Supplies: Pack extra cold-weather clothing, including hats, gloves, and thermal base layers. Bring a thermal sleeping bag, electric blanket, and plenty of food to accommodate your increased metabolic needs in cold weather.
• Stabilizing Jacks: Place wooden blocks under the stabilizing jacks to prevent them from freezing to the ground.

Choosing a winter-friendly camper

If you're looking to purchase a camper to use in the winter, there are several features you should look out for to ensure it's suitable for colder climates.

Firstly, check if the camper has an arctic package option. This typically includes extra heating for the plumbing, along with other features designed for cold weather camping. Some arctic packages even offer temperature guarantees, so you can choose one that suits the temperature you expect to be camping in.

Secondly, if you're planning to camp in an area with high precipitation and snowfall, look for a camper with snow-friendly features. This includes a solid roof that can withstand the weight of snow, enclosed dump valves, and suspended grey and white water tanks to allow for air circulation. Awnings for slide-outs are also a good idea, as they protect the slide-out mechanisms from snow and ice damage.

When it comes to insulation, look for a camper with superior insulation in the interior walls, ceiling, and basement storage. This will help keep the warm air inside. Some recommended campers for cold weather include Northwood's Arctic Fox Line, Keystone's Four Seasons Living Package, and Lance's Four Seasons Certified Option.

In addition to these features, make sure to ask about the RV's plumbing and heating systems. You'll want to ensure the camper can handle freezing temperatures to prevent any damage to the pipes and tanks.

By choosing a camper with these features, you'll be well on your way to enjoying comfortable and safe winter camping trips!

Frequently asked questions