Winter Camping Maintenance for Your RV

Winter may not be prime camping season, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your RV for the whole season. In fact, there are several winter camping maintenance tasks you’ll want to stay on top of before and during the cold season in order to make sure your RV is ready to go once spring rolls around.

Although these aren’t the most fun parts of owning an RV, they are necessary, and I have learned the hard way just what happens if you skimp on maintenance. It’s not pretty.

Below, I’ve made a list of the most important winter camping maintenance to-dos. Stick to this list and you can’t go wrong. 

Winter Camping Maintenance for Living in Your RV

First, let’s talk about winter camping maintenance tasks you’ll want to take care of if you happen to be living in your RV this cold season. Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your rig safe, warm, and functional in freezing temperatures, so don’t skip these steps.

Insulate Your RV

First, make sure your RV is as insulated as possible. Use reflective insulation like Reflectix on windows, along with weather stripping around doors to minimize drafts. Install RV skirting to prevent cold air from blowing under the rig. You might also want to add insulated vent cushions to prevent heat loss through roof vents.

IcePyro on iRV2 has some thoughts on this subject, “One thing that would be easy with almost zero weight and a total DIY is to get some of those window cover kits that tape up a sheet of plastic, that extra layer and sealed air can make a decent difference. Otherwise if you are stationary I often see people “Skirt” the sides of their RV/motorhome with solid sheets of foam insulation, though results may vary on that.”

Protect the Plumbing

Keeping your RV’s plumbing from freezing is the biggest challenge when living in an RV in winter. You’ll definitely want to use a heated water hose to prevent the water supply from freezing, and then install (or activate) heating pads for the fresh-, gray-, and black-water tanks. You can also wrap exposed pipes and the sewer hose with foam insulation or heat tape to keep them from freezing.

Maintain the Heating System

Obviously, you’ll want to make sure your RV’s heating system keeps working for the whole winter. Check the RV furnace, clean the vents, and replace filters as needed. Monitor propane levels frequently and keep the tank(s) filled, as heating consumes more propane in winter.

Note: It’s also a good idea to keep a portable electric heater as a backup to your RV furnace. Some people even choose to use an electric heater instead of the furnace. 

Monitor Ventilation

Condensation can become a real problem when winter camping. There are days that we have condensation literally dripping down our walls. Use a dehumidifier or crack a window slightly to reduce moisture buildup. If needed, turn on the vent fan when cooking or using the shower. 

Keep Steps and Walkways Safe

I don’t know about your RV steps, but ours are absolutely treacherous if even the smallest amount of rain lands on them. Snow and ice can be even worse. Use RV-friendly de-icer on steps and walkways to prevent slips.

Prepare for Emergencies

A power outage, a blizzard, or another winter emergency is much easier to deal with if you have the proper supplies. Keep extra propane, drinking water, batteries, flashlights, a weather radio, and non-perishable food in case of severe weather. Ensure the generator has enough fuel and test it regularly.

A propane heater like the Mr. Buddy can keep you warm if you lose power. It’s also a good idea to keep heavy blankets or sleeping bags around. 

Winter Camping Maintenance for Storing Your RV

Let’s say you’re storing your rig before (or for the remainder of) the cold season. Properly preparing your RV for winter storage can prevent damage and ensure it’s ready to use when warmer weather returns. Here are the winter camping maintenance steps you’ll want to take in this case.

Drain and Winterize the Plumbing System

First and foremost, make sure to winterize your RV’s plumbing system to keep it from freezing. To do this, open all faucets and use a water pump to clear any remaining water from the lines. Next, empty the fresh-, gray-, and black-water tanks completely. Finally, pump RV-safe antifreeze through the plumbing system to protect pipes, faucets, and the water pump from freezing.

Cover the RV

Covered RV storage is always the best bet, but if you can’t have that, you might want to use an RV cover. This will protect the RV from snow, ice, debris, and water leaks. Just make sure the cover has vents to prevent moisture buildup and mildew, especially if you live in an area that sees a lot of humidity, rain, and/or snow. 

Stabilize and Level the RV

Ensure the RV is level. This will prevent stress on the frame and suspension, two things you definitely don’t want to have issues with. Once that is done, lower the stabilizing jacks to keep the RV steady and reduce pressure on the tires and help keep them in tip-top shape. 

Protect the Interior

Before leaving your RV, take out electronics, valuables, and anything sensitive to temperature changes. You’ll also want to remove all food that could freeze and burst or attract pests. Use moisture absorbers such as DampRid to help prevent mold and mildew, and close window shades to protect the interior from UV damage.

Shut Off Propane

Lastly, be sure to shut off the propane supply and disconnect the tanks. You wouldn’t want a propane leak to crop up while you weren’t there, as this could create some dangerous situations. Besides, propane attracts certain bugs, and you don’t want to return to a bunch of creepy crawlers. 

Universal Winter Camping Maintenance

There are a handful of things you’ll want to do in and on your RV, whether you’re living in it or storing it during the winter months. Below is a list of universal winter camping maintenance tasks that all RV owners should be taking care of.

Maintain Engines 

Add fuel stabilizer to the gas or diesel tank of your RV—and to your generator—to prevent fuel degradation. Perform oil changes on both the RV and the generator to remove contaminants that could damage the engine over time. Even if you aren’t using them, start the RV engine and the generator periodically during the winter to keep them in good condition.

Prevent Rodents and Pests

Obviously, you don’t want mice or bugs taking over your home-on-wheels, and winter is the time when many pests will try to make themselves at home in your cozy space. Block gaps in vents, doors, and undercarriage areas where pests could enter. You may also want to place mothballs, dryer sheets, or natural repellents inside the RV to deter pests. Results may vary, but most every RVer has a preferred method.

Protect Tires

Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure. Check the tire pressure every couple of weeks (or every time you move) and add air as needed. You might also consider using covers to protect tires from UV rays and freezing temperatures. Another thing you can do? Place tires on wooden boards or rubber mats to prevent them from sitting on cold, damp ground.

Protect the Batteries

We learned during a recent boondocking trip that batteries hate the cold. They will discharge more quickly in cold weather, meaning you may want to find a relatively warm place to store them if you can do so safely. If you rely on solar panels to keep the batteries charged, make sure you clear them of snow and ice as often as necessary. 

Batteries also don’t like being left to discharge completely. If your RV is going into storage, remove and store batteries in a warm, dry place to prevent freezing and corrosion. Use a battery maintainer or trickle charger to keep batteries charged over the winter.

Clean and Seal the RV Exterior

Before winter hits (or during a warmer spell), give the RV a good wash and wax to protect the paint from sun, snow, and ice damage. Check roof seams, windows, and door seals for cracks, and apply RV sealant as needed to prevent water leaks. Continue to check the seals regularly throughout the winter. 

If a leak crops up, reseal that spot immediately. We actually had to do this on Christmas Day. It wasn’t fun, but it was necessary. 

Inspect Periodically

Inspect your RV periodically during the winter. Even if you’re in the rig every day, certain issues can go undetected if you aren’t actively looking for them. Check for leaks, pests, or snow buildup. Take care of leaks and pests immediately, and clear snow and ice from the roof and undercarriage of the RV to prevent excess weight and damage.

Stay on Top of Things

As you can see, there are a number of things you should be keeping track of when it comes to winter camping maintenance. This can be overwhelming, for sure. Not sure you can stay on top of all of these things? Consider using the RV LIFE Maintenance tool to help you remember what to do—and when to do it.

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