Winter in British Columbia offers endless opportunities for adventure, despite the cooler temperatures. While some RV owners are spending this time planning their summer road trips, others are gearing up for another season of on-road adventures, continuing their RV journey through some of the most beautiful months of the year.
Whether you’re headed to the next ski hill, or searching for a winter hot springs retreat, if you’re considering trying out winter RV camping in BC this season, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know to prepare for your winter adventure!
Winterizing Your RV
Maintain Your RV Engine
Step one is ensuring your RV engine is ready to take on the cold. Your engine and its components will need extra protection against the winter chill.
Check the battery: Make sure your RV battery is free of any corrosion and damage, fully charged and securely connected. If your battery is only partially charged, it’s more likely to fizzle out and die in the cold.
Fill up the antifreeze: Make sure your engine’s antifreeze is at the proper level; if it isn’t, use the proper mix of antifreeze and water to refill it. Using at least 50% antifreeze is a safe bet for freezing temperatures.
Get RV Insulation
Step number two is keeping yourself toasty during the unforgiving winter nights. There are plenty of places that you can insulate your RV to keep the chill out including:
Sealing the windows and doors: Do a walk around of all your RV’s entry points to ensure there are no cracks in the caulk, sealant, or weather stripping. You’ll want to prevent the cold air and moisture from leaking into your RV, so make sure you replace any weak spots!
Insulating the floors: Keep those annoying cold floor foot cramps at bay by insulating your RV floors with foam board flooring. Another simpler solution is using a nice thick rug or carpet.
Protecting the windows: Use window film and reflective foil to keep the draft from leaking through the windows. Foil-lined reflective insulation is cheap and easy to cut to fit any window size, making it a great choice for insulation. Another option is using thick heavy fabric drapes or curtains on the windows.
Using RV skirting: Protect the underside of your RV to keep those cold winds out with an RV skirt. You can also combine RV skirts with foam boards for a little extra protection. This will keep your plumbing pipes and water tanks from freezing, and prevent other damage to your RV.
Prepare Your RV Plumbing
Having your pipes freeze and burst on your winter RV camping trip might put a bit of a damper on your vacation, so make sure you take the proper precautions to keep that water flowing.
Apply heat tape: Use heat tape on your sewer and freshwater hoses, as well as applying it to the valves. You can combine heat tape with foam insulation for extra protection.
Use your internal water tank: Try to use your internal freshwater tank instead of connecting to external sources, allowing you to disconnect your freshwater hose and store it safely.
Keep the RV warm: Keeping the inside of your RV warm while you’re out on your trip will help with your plumbing. Try opening all of the cabinets so the warm air from the RV can effectively warm the hoses inside of the walls.
Check Your Furnace
Having a professional inspection and any required maintenance done on your furnace before any winter RV camping trip is essential for keeping you and your family warm and safe on your trip. Make sure it’s clean of any dirt and debris, and that the air can flow freely without any blockage. You can supplement your RV heating by packing additional space heaters, warm socks, and other items!
What To Pack For Your Winter RV Camping Trip
Layers!
Keep yourself safe by packing for colder weather than you expect. It’s better to bring too many warm clothes than not enough, ensuring you’re prepared for any emergencies like a power outage or any unpredictable weather shifts.
Block Heater
Bring a block heater for additional engine protection, especially if you’re camping in a very cold region. This will warm up your engine before you start it, just make sure you plug it in for a few hours before turning the ignition if the temperature is below freezing.
Shovels
Don’t risk getting stuck in the snow! You might not need to use it, but having a shovel or two with you will give you peace of mind when driving down those unmaintained back roads.
Salt & Gravel
Similar to the shovels, it’s good to have some salt and gravel (or even kitty litter) on hand in case your tires start spinning in place on a patch of ice. You should also sprinkle it around your site when you arrive at your camping spot to avoid injury.
Dry Firewood
Make sure you pack your firewood in a secure and dry container, or in your RV’s storage compartment. It’s better to have too much than too little, so bring as much of it as your spacing allows.
A Space Heater
Small space heaters can make a big difference, especially if they’re rechargeable or solar-powered. Just remember to watch out for condensation, which can lead to corrosion and mould in your pipes.You can also bring a dehumidifier to balance this out.
Matches & Flashlights
Whether you’re going on a camping trip in the spring, summer, fall or winter, it’s always good to have some matches on hand. This also goes for flashlights and extra flashlight batteries!
When your winter adventure ends and you’re ready for spring RV camping season, contact us at 1.866.587.6368 to book your stay at Alpine Meadows RV Park!