A major benefit of the RV lifestyle is the ability to follow good weather.
We hide out in the south during the winter and cool off up the north in the summer. We also enjoy spring and fall for several months as we move in between.
But sometimes we get caught in cold weather due to an early winter or an unexpected circumstance.
Our latest introduction to winter resulted from a delay in taking delivery of our new factory-ordered 2019 Dutch Star 3717 diesel pusher.
The typical recreational vehicle is not designed for use in the snowy, cold, and icy northern climates. Even with the cold weather limitations of most RVs, there are things we do to reduce heat loss and stay warm.
Upon arrival at our destination, we try to select a site that will receive sun exposure throughout the day, and also offer some type of wind break.
Since windows are a major heat loss in RVs, we lock our windows. That extra latch helps close the seals in the window. We close the blinds/curtains when we don’t need them open for the view or the warming sunshine.
A goose down duvet is an investment with high returns that’s realized every time you cozily cuddle in bed. A duvet cover is typically purchased separately.
Down is a great natural insulator. It is the very first undercoating of goose feathers. The clusters of down are made of plenty of soft fibers that directly radiate out from the central core of the feather. The structure of down is perfectly created to trap air. For this peculiar characteristic, goose down duvets keeps you suitably warm. It still allows the moisture to escape and is a great product to keep snug yet dry. Goose down duvets is amazingly soft and light.
The quality of down duvets is measured by its insulation abilities. The best quality down duvets have larger clusters of down. Best quality down is able to acclimatize according to warmer or cooler atmospheric temperatures. If the thick, fluffy and breathable down can keep the goose so cozy out in the cold, it definitely is a sure winner for you.
We don’t need spare blankets for the bed with our down duvet but they add another layer in insulation during our waking hours.
It’s best to use a combination of heating methods when dealing with extreme cold weather while RVing.
A word of caution: Be very aware of the dangers associated with each heating method and take proper safety precautions to avoid an RV fire, asphyxiation, carbon monoxide poisoning, or even death.
Make absolutely certain you have carbon monoxide, smoke, and LP gas detectors in good working condition. We change the batteries annually.
Never use your oven to heat the RV.
Space heaters are cheap and can help in reducing your heating costs if you’re NOT on a metered site. We use ours during the day while in our rig and the furnace at night on a low setting (between 50 and 55 degrees) and in the mornings to take off the chill.
Today’s portable heater models offer a variety of safety features that include tip-over and overheat protection Check for these safety features when purchasing a new heater.
As a safety precaution, shut off and unplug for the night and when you’re away from the RV.
Once we have our rig insulated and warm, the next consideration is how to get the moisture out so dreaded condensation inside the RV does not occur. Left unchecked the condensation can quickly build up on all the windows and some walls and lead to mold.
We use the stove vent and fan when cooking, especially when boiling vegetables on the burner top. The quicker you can get the moisture out the better.
We also use absorbent cloths for removing moisture. Wipe down the shower stall and any condensation that builds up on the windows.
There are numerous small portable, dehumidifiers on the market that are suitable for use in your RV. We place one near the shower and in various locations inside the RV and in basement compartments.
RVs aren’t designed for cold, but you can survive!
But the best advice of all is “The RV has wheels, Go South!
Worth Pondering…
I’ve never gotten used to winter and never will.
—Jamaica Kincaid
