Winter Setup for Your RV

Traveling is a year-round affair. If you’re an RV owner, you’ll know that seasonal setups and maintenance are important for durability. If you don’t make the necessary changes, your trips can get spoiled. So, here we’ve gathered some cool tips that can help you set up your RV for the winter and enjoy your trips with no hassle at all.

 

1.  Fill Fresh Water Tank or Use a Heated Water Hose

Water converts into ice when the temperature drops, leading to bursting or damaging hoses and plumbing. So, refilling fresh water in the tanks or using heated water hoses is necessary. This can also be used for other purposes like washing and cooking.

If you’re planning a long trip where you’ll have to use city water sources, you must ensure using a water pressure regulator. This will prevent excessive water pressure from damaging your RV’s plumbing system.

 

2. Use a 60W Incandescent Light Bulb

You can save on propane by not running your rig’s furnace if you know how to keep your water compartment warm using an alternative method. Hanging a 60-watt incandescent light bulb in a small space will radiate enough heat to keep it warm.

Don’t use an LED bulb, as it won’t be as effective in achieving the goals.

 

3.  Use Moisture Control Methods

Moisture control will stop the growth and multiplication of mold and mildew, which can otherwise lead to severe health issues. The three main activities causing moisture are bathing, cooking, and breathing, and none of these can be stopped. 

So, instead, install and run an RV roof vent to have a small opening without letting snow or rain enter inside. You should also use a squeegee to pull out the water collected due to showering. Lastly, invest in an efficient dehumidifier to keep moisture at bay.

 

4. Keep Checks on Propane Level

Refill your propane tank or connect your RV to an external propane tank for heating your rig and water for cooking, bathing, cleaning, etc. It’s also suggested to use alternate heating methods to avoid losing all the heating sources in freezing temperatures. Refill your tanks ahead of time to avoid any problems.

 

5. Warm Your Bedding to Use Rig Heat Less

Use warm comforters and blankets to save on propane by not keeping space heaters on throughout the night. Explore Kogler’s wide range of RV mattresses to find the one that best matches your requirement. 

Just note that if you aren’t running the propane furnace, you must keep your RV’s basement and water compartment warm using other methods. You can use a remote temperature sensor or the incandescent bulb mentioned above. 

 

6. Wrap AC Units

Cover your RV’s roof air conditioning units to stay warm and protected from the elements. However, you shouldn’t cover your AC units if your air conditioner substitutes heat pumps, and as a heat source while camping. 

 

7. Seal Small Openings

Use steel or brass wool to seal small openings to keep mice from enjoying warmth inside your rig. Also, set traps in the basement and other compartments where rodents can enter from. 

 

8. Keep Gate Valves Closed and Insulated 

If you use sloping sewer hose support, you must keep your gray and black water gate valves closed except when you want to empty the holding tanks. If they are open, only little gray water drains through the hose, piling up a layer of pearls until it is closed.