Around the Campfire

Winter Camping in your RV

Summer time camping is great fun but camping in the winter season is 
sublime.  There are no trees to clutter your views, hoards of children, or 
swarms of bugs.  The air is crisp, the views endless, and, with luck, fresh 
snow blankets the surrounding mountains.  There is a quiet serene feeling 
you might experience early on a summer morning as the only person 
watching the sun rise. It is a great time to go camping, if you want to 
reconnect with your pioneering spirit.  Winter camping in a recreational 
vehicle (RV) is similar to those early camping days when you had only 
a Coleman stove and a sleeping bag but now you don't have to worry 
about how to stay warm and dry. 

Fred and I aren't experts at winter camping in an RV but we are learning.  
Here are some things we have learned.  Even with these suggestions, 
the most important thing is using your common sense.    

1.	First, call to check on the weather, roads, and campground.  
	Confirm the campground is open, it's rate, surcharges, restrictions, 
	and what facilitates are available.  If the water is shut off, you need 
	to know it.
2.	Many RVers were once "true" campers with tents, sleeping bags, 
	and such.  Remember those days and enjoy the luxury of your RV.
3.	Check road conditions before you leave.  Every state has a website or 
	telephone number were you can check road conditions, which is a 
	good idea anytime of the year.
4.	Give your rig a thorough check, for such things as full propane tanks 
	and properly inflated tires, to ensure it is road-worthy. 
5.	Don't forget to stock the pantry especially with "feel good" stick-to-
	your-ribs 	meals such as soups, chili, and stews.   If you have 
	shore-power, this is the perfect time to take your crock-pot.
6.	Find a sunny camping spot so nature can help warm up your rig 
	and bring a few extra throw-rugs to ward off chilly floors.
7.	We have a little ceramic electric heater and recommend such a 
	device to help to take the chill-off in the morning and to supplement 
	the furnace.
8.	If temperatures are going to drop below freezing, close your water spigot 
	and the valve for your sewer hose.  Consider placing water hose in RV; 
	we put ours in the shower.  If fresh water tank is above floor, fill with 
	water.  Wrapping hose with electric heat tape may make this procedure  
	unnecessary but . . .   Some people just leave a faucet dripping, 
	catching the water in a pot.  For another idea, although pricey, check-out 
	electric heated hose at superrvproducts.com.
9.	Unless grey and black waste tanks are heated (good idea if you can do 
	it), treat both tanks with RV anti-freeze to prevent freezing.  We cut a little 
	doorway, about 6 by 6-inches, into the fresh water tank compartment to 
	allow heat to circulate in there.
10.	Don't forget to close your window covers to hold some of the heat inside. 
	It helps to cover overhead vent openings too.  We use fleecy pillows we 
	call "Ear Muffs." - available at CampingWorld.com.
11.	Leave cabinets or drawers open where water lines are located to allow 
	heat to circulate around plumbing, or wrap the interior plumbing with 
	insulation.
12.	Don't forget the electric blanket. It can be a delight at night.  We even 
	have one wrapped around our fresh and gray water tanks, too.
13.	Watching snowfall from inside the comfort of your warm RV is one of 
	the best parts of winter camping but don't let it block vents or cause 
	damage to your roof.  	Keep vents clear so the "bad" air can get out and 
	fresh can come in.  (We also leave a window open a crack for ventilation.) 
	And brush off some of that beautiful snow to reduce weight on the roof, 
	especially the canvas over slide-outs.
14.	Snow is beautiful but it melts and melted snow is wet.  Have a plan for 
	getting things dry:  a clothesline in the shower; a folding umbrella-style 
	clothesline; or, know where the nearest drier is located.
15.	And don't forget a snow shovel, a few extra blankets, maybe some 
	De-Icer (for frozen locks), and either road salt or kitty litter.  And, maybe 
	some campfire wood for an outside firepit, of course.
16.	Taking chains for your tow vehicle or motorhome might be a good idea.
17.	Also keep tabs on the weather.  It can be an unforgiving season so plan 
	ahead and take home only fond memories from your winter camping trip.

Winter camping is great fun.  No crowds and no bugs are two attractive features 
of camping this time of year but for us it is the opportunity to ski.  Many ski resorts 
not only offer parking for recreational vehicles and some even have developed 
campgrounds with full hookups.  That's where you might see us someday hoping 
for crisp temperatures and fresh powder.