| As the weather gets colder, campers start putting | | | | inexpensive foam tape or weather stripping to the |
| their RV's away for the winter. But not so fast. | | | | compartment opening and doors will really help seal |
| There is so much to see and do during the winter | | | | those air leaks. |
| season and enjoying these activities from the | | | | * Now that the RV is sealed tight from air leaks, we |
| comfort of your RV can be a refreshing experience. | | | | have the problem of condensation to deal with. |
| Here's how to prepare your motorhome, travel | | | | Moisture from cooking, washing and just our |
| trailer, toy hauler, or 5th wheel to ensure you have a | | | | breathing raises the humidity inside the RV. As it gets |
| pleasurable, safe, and protected cold-weather | | | | colder, this moisture condenses out on cooler inside |
| camping experience. | | | | surfaces like window frames and doors. This can lead |
| * Examine your RV's plumbing to determine what | | | | to mold and mildew, water stains or even worse. |
| measures may be needed to prevent damage from | | | | The best way to prevent condensation is to avoid |
| freezing temperatures. Some RV's have plumbing | | | | introducing excessive moisture into the air. A good |
| exposed to the outside elements. In this case, you | | | | practice is to always use the range hood vent when |
| should wrap the exposed plumbing with heat tape | | | | cooking and the bathroom vent when showering. |
| and foam pipe insulation. | | | | This will draw most of that moisture out of the rig. It |
| * Part of the plumbing system includes the holding | | | | may be necessary to keep a roof vent open slightly |
| tanks. Some RV's have enclosed holding tanks that | | | | to provide some ventilation and keep condensation in |
| are heated by the RV's furnace through heater | | | | check. Insulating exposed surfaces that tend to |
| ducting to the holding tank areas. As long as the | | | | collect moisture will also help. A small dehumidifier or |
| furnace runs occasionally, the tanks won't freeze | | | | some of those little tubs of desiccant crystals may |
| unless it's very cold (below 20F). | | | | be necessary, depending on the RV and how many |
| * For those tanks that are not heated and/or | | | | are staying in it. |
| enclosed, tank heating pads can be affixed to the | | | | * Finally, we need to consider how the RV is going to |
| bottoms of the tanks. These are very easy to install, | | | | be heated. Portable electric heaters are a great |
| thermostatically-controlled, and come in both 12-volt | | | | supplement to the propane furnace. This method of |
| DC and 110-volt AC. | | | | heating doesn't add condensation to the air and |
| * Yet another part of the RV plumbing system is the | | | | allows the propane furnace to run considerably less, |
| holding tank piping and dump valves. Some higher end | | | | saving a lot of propane. Catalytic heaters are another |
| RVs have these pipes and valves enclosed and | | | | popular way to provide assistance to the propane |
| heated from the factory. For most RVs though, they | | | | furnace but require fresh air ventilation to avoid |
| are exposed to the elements. As with the plumbing | | | | oxygen depletion in the RV. |
| pipes, these pipes and valves can be protected by | | | | Here are some more tips on how to help you cold |
| wrapping them with heat tape too. | | | | weather camp in your RV: |
| * You should keep your gray and black water valves | | | | - If you don't want to spend the money for a |
| closed until you are ready to dump your holding | | | | heated fresh water hose, simply disconnect the |
| tanks. If gray water constantly allowed to drain, it will | | | | normal hose from the RV and the water spigot when |
| eventually form an ice dam in your sewer hose. As | | | | the temperature is going to fall below freezing. |
| an alternative, you could also try insulating and | | | | Empty the hose and store it. You can then use the |
| wrapping heat tape around your sewer hose if you | | | | RV's fresh water tank to supply water. |
| want to leave the gray water valve open. In any | | | | - Some cold-weather RVers winterize and then don't |
| case, be absolutely certain that your sewer hose is | | | | use their plumbing system at all. Instead, they carry |
| at a steep angle where liquids drain rapidly and are | | | | containers of drinking water inside the living area of |
| not allowed to stand. Using a sewer hose support will | | | | the RV and rely completely upon the campground's |
| help with this. | | | | restroom facilities. Call ahead to the campground if |
| * Another area subject to freezing is the fresh | | | | this is your plan. Some close their restrooms during |
| water supply hose. You can use a heated water | | | | the off-season and others may only have electrical |
| hose to prevent freezing. This is a good option if you | | | | hookups available. |
| are in a campground with full hookups. They run on | | | | - During the evening, leave your cabinet doors open |
| either 12 volts DC or 110 volts AC. | | | | slightly. This will help some heat reach the plumbing |
| * To reduce drafts and heating requirements, you | | | | that runs through the cabinetry and along the cold |
| can insulate the your RV's windows against the cold | | | | walls. |
| with heavy drapes or curtains. You can create an | | | | - If possible, empty the holding tanks if they will be |
| insulating dead air space inside of the windows by | | | | subject to freezing and pour a couple of quarts of |
| covering them with clear, heavy vinyl. You can even | | | | non-toxic, biodegradable antifreeze into each holding |
| cover the interior of the windows with sheets of | | | | tank. This will protect the dump valves. Pour in more |
| Styrofoam or poster board but these are a little hard | | | | antifreeze as wastewater fills the tanks. |
| to see through. | | | | - When using any type of catalytic heater in any |
| * The roof vents are an area where heat can | | | | inside area, provide a fresh air opening of at least |
| escape. There are foam type pillows specifically made | | | | three square inches. This is necessary because this |
| to be placed in the vent openings. These fit snugly | | | | type of heater consumes the oxygen in your RV. If |
| and greatly reduce heat loss in these areas. | | | | you do not replace the depleted oxygen through |
| * If you have a motorhome, hang a heavy blanket | | | | ventilation, you stand a chance of not waking up the |
| or privacy curtain between the driver's compartment | | | | next morning. |
| and the rest of the motorhome which will block the | | | | - Although the methods explained in this article will |
| cold radiated by a motorhome's windshield. This | | | | help substantially reduce the potential for plumbing |
| works very well whether you have a Class A, B, or | | | | and holding tanks from freezing, they cannot |
| C type motorhome as they all have large windshields. | | | | guarantee it. Once the temperature gets low enough, |
| * Any compartments that open into the inside of the | | | | little can be done to keep up. Unfortunately, we all |
| RV need to have good weather seals. Adding some | | | | have to stop camping at some point! |