Extreme Cold Camping: Pushing The Limits Of Human Endurance

Camping in the winter can be a magical experience, but it requires a lot of preparation to ensure you stay warm and safe. One of the most important things to consider is how cold temperatures can affect your camper or RV. Pipes can freeze and burst, and holding tanks can be damaged by freezing temperatures. So, how cold is too cold for a camper?

There isn't a definitive temperature, but as a general rule, you should start taking precautions once the temperature goes below freezing (32°F or 0°C). The colder it is, the faster pipes will freeze, so it's important to act quickly. If you're putting your camper away for the winter, it's best to winterize it as soon as temperatures start dropping below 30°F.

To prepare your camper for freezing temperatures, you can drain the plumbing system, use RV antifreeze, or blow out the water lines with compressed air. You should also maintain your furnace and wrap pipes in heat tape. Insulating your camper with an RV skirt or snow is also a great way to keep the cold out.

So, can a camper survive freezing temperatures? Yes, but it requires careful preparation and maintenance to ensure a comfortable and safe experience.

Insulation and heating

Insulation

• Install extra insulation, such as curtains, rugs, and thick bedding.
• Cover windows with curtains, drapes, or blankets to retain heat.
• Place cut-to-size foam in ceiling vents to prevent heat from escaping.
• Use foam insulation or pool noodles to insulate water lines and pipes.
• Wrap pipes with heat tape to prevent freezing.
• Seal windows and doors with caulk or RV sealant to ensure they are weather-tight.
• Check and replace damaged weather stripping.
• Skirt the exterior of your camper to block cold air from getting underneath.
• Insulate the base of the camper to shield it from cold winds and prevent pipe damage.

Heating

• Use a forced-air heater or an electric-powered ceramic heater, ensuring you follow manufacturer specifications for safety.
• Keep the area in front of the heat source free of combustible materials, such as bedding.
• Use a propane furnace, ensuring it is well-maintained and in good condition.
• Set the thermostat to turn on the furnace if the camper reaches a certain temperature when you are away.
• Use small indoor space heaters to supplement the furnace.
• Keep cabinet doors open to expose pipes to interior heat when you are away.
• Park your camper so that windows receive direct sunlight during the day.

Frozen pipes

Prevention

Pipes will freeze within 24 hours in temperatures below 32°Fahrenheit (0°Celsius). However, pipes exposed to the elements without insulation will freeze at 20°Fahrenheit (-7°Celsius). To prevent this, you can:

• Insulate your pipes and water tanks.
• Keep your RV warm by covering windows, using an electric blanket, and keeping cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate.
• Use a tank heating pad to keep your water tank warm.
• Install RV skirting to insulate the underside of your RV and prevent heat loss.
• Use non-toxic antifreeze in your water tanks.
• Keep your RV pipes and tanks empty if you are storing your RV.

Thawing Frozen Pipes

If your pipes do freeze, you can:

• Turn up the heat and open cabinets to allow warm air to circulate.
• Use space heaters or blow dryers to speed up the thawing process.
• Do not turn on your water pump as this could cause further damage.
• Once pipes have thawed, check for any leaks.

Frozen tanks

Understand the Risk Factors

Firstly, it's important to know the location of your pipes and tanks. Tanks and pipes exposed to outdoor temperatures are more likely to freeze. Tanks that sit above floor level will likely stay warm due to the heaters in the living space, but tanks outside the living space are more susceptible to freezing. Additionally, plumbing pipes located outside are more likely to freeze than those inside the RV.

Insulate and Heat Your Tanks and Pipes

To prevent freezing, focus on insulating and heating your tanks and pipes. Here are some effective methods:

• Install an RV skirt—a semi-permanent barrier that extends around the base of your RV to block cold drafts and prevent heat from escaping through the bottom. Vinyl, plywood, insulation boards, tarps, foam boards, and straw or hay bales can be used for skirting.
• Purchase an aftermarket heating system or heating blanket specifically designed for RV holding tanks and pipes.
• Buy a pipe heating cable to wrap around exposed pipes.
• Keep heavy rugs or foam boards on the floor to trap heat inside and prevent cold air from coming in through the floor.
• Use RV holding tank antifreeze in your grey and black water tanks.

Other Preventative Measures

In addition to the measures above, there are some other simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of frozen tanks:

• Reinforce sealants on windows and doors to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering.
• Install window film and reflective foil coverings on windows to block cold air and retain heat.
• Keep your freshwater tank full, as it takes longer for a full tank to freeze compared to an empty one.
• Use heat tape on your holding tanks and pipes—this supplies heat and prevents freezing.
• Duct heat into storage bays with plumbing to prevent pipes and tanks from freezing.
• Keep your grey and black water tanks closed until it's time to dump to avoid wastewater freezing inside your sewer hose.

Frozen hoses

Frozen water pipes are a common problem for RVs and campers in frigid temperatures. To prevent this, you can use a heated water hose, heat tape, and skirting around the camper. However, if you are in an area where temperatures drop into the teens and below, no amount of insulating will stop your pipes from freezing. The only solution is to keep the water running at a trickle.

If your pipes do freeze, you can try to speed up the thawing process by adding foam insulation to the pipes and installing a small ceramic heater in the compartment where the water heater and pipes are located. Positioning an electric space heater under the sink and in the shower can also help.

To prevent frozen water pipes in the future, it is important to research and invest in an all-season camper. Look for features such as higher R-factor insulation values, enclosed underbelly, heated holding tanks, and dual-pane windows. Some manufacturers offer an arctic package option that includes these features.

• Keep the water running at a trickle when temperatures drop below freezing.
• Use a heated water hose when connecting to the campground water supply.
• Insulate pipes with heat tape and foam insulation.
• Utilize your internal freshwater tank and add antifreeze to the holding tank to keep water flowing smoothly.
• Cover pipes with tarps or blankets to protect them from the cold.
• Keep cabinet doors open to allow heat to circulate around plumbing.
• Place a small fan in the water heater compartment to improve airflow and prevent freezing.

Battery maintenance

Cold weather can be harsh on batteries, so taking steps to maintain your camper's battery in freezing temperatures is essential. Here are some tips to help keep your camper's battery operating optimally during cold weather camping:

• Understand battery performance in cold weather: Both lithium and lead-acid camper batteries experience decreased performance in cold temperatures. Lithium batteries generally perform better in cold weather than lead-acid batteries but can still be damaged by freezing temperatures.
• Maintain battery charge: Keeping your battery charged is crucial to ensuring it functions correctly. Avoid letting the battery drop below 80% charge. Use a battery maintainer or trickle charger to keep your battery charged when not in use.
• Store the battery in a temperature-controlled environment: If you're not using your camper during the winter, remove the battery and store it in a dry, temperature-controlled environment, such as a basement or attached garage.
• Use a heated battery or battery heat pad: Heated batteries or battery heat pads can help maintain your battery's temperature and protect it from freezing temperatures. These systems use the 12V system to heat the battery when temperatures fall below 35°F (1.7°C) and turn off when they rise above 45°F (7.2°C).
• Check battery terminals: Ensure the battery terminals are not corroded, loose, or damaged. Clean the terminals if necessary, and replace them if they are severely damaged or eroded.
• Monitor battery voltage: Use a voltage meter to check the condition of your battery. Batteries that can only hold a charge between 10 and 11 volts of DC power will likely need to be replaced soon. Ideally, you want batteries with 13 volts of DC power.
• Remove the battery for long-term storage: If you won't be using your camper for an extended period, consider removing the battery and storing it in a safe, dry location. This will protect the battery from extreme temperatures and prevent discharge.
• Regularly recharge the battery: Recharge your battery whenever it reaches around 50% capacity during active use. During winter storage, you may need to recharge it approximately every two weeks to every month, as batteries can lose their capacity permanently over time.
• Avoid overcharging: Avoid leaving your battery on a charger for extended periods, as this can damage its internal chemistry. Instead, charge it in intervals to maintain a healthy charge level.
• Keep the battery compartment insulated: Insulate the battery compartment to protect the battery from extreme cold. Ensure the compartment is well-ventilated to prevent overheating.
• Use a battery blanket: A battery blanket can help insulate the battery and keep it warm during cold weather camping.
• Regularly test the battery: Test your battery regularly to ensure it is in good condition before heading out on a camping trip. This will help you identify any issues and replace the battery if necessary.

Frequently asked questions