Those of you who are busy waxing your skis, researching snowmobile trails and getting eager to sit by a snow covered mountain, it’s time to get the RV ready for winter vacation.
While you’re planning all the fun activities, though, you should remember that wintry weather can change fast. Be prepared by getting your RV in top running condition, and that begins with the batteries. Prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures may actually freeze batteries if they have been allowed to reach a low state of charge. If you intend to hang out in the sub-zeroes for more than a week, consider investing in a heated battery blanket. And as in all seasons, it is important to keep the batteries charged, filled with distilled water, free of corrosion and the cables tightly connected.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a variety of the RV systems must be winterized: antifreeze levels, wipers and windshield washer fluid, generator, brakes and all oil levels. Use winter grade oil and replace the oil filters. Always keep the fuel tank above half. Outfit the RV with all-weather tires. Ask the tire manufacturer to help you with the appropriate air pressures for winter driving, based upon the combined weight of the RV with all cargo, including your snow toys.
You are probably going to encounter some areas that require the use of tire chains. If it becomes necessary to chain up, park the coach in a safe location. Place warning cones ten feet behind the coach, and have someone in your group keep an eye out for oncoming traffic. You may luck out at a mountain pass and discover that others will put on the tire chains for a fee. Take advantage of the service and pay them to do it. Regardless of who installs the tire chains, make a point to re-inspect the work before taking off down the road. When you are driving with chains, keep the speed down and stop occasionally for a walk-around inspection.
“Drive with self-confidence and... an over abundance of caution.”
Equip yourself with a large windshield scraper and small broom for snow removal. Real snow warriors will find that closed window coverings may cause the interior glass of windows to ice up. To prevent water damage from condensation, remove the frost as quickly as possible, using a towel to wipe away excess moisture. When your snow boots are tromping over all the sand and salt used to reduce ice, be sure and remove shoes before walking into the RV to avoid dragging in that excess debris. You can also program the entry steps to stay retracted when parked to reduce potential ice build up. Plug in the engine block heater when outdoor temperature falls below freezing. If the dash area is not already equipped with a blower unit, consider having one installed.
Camping in the winter gives you a chance to really find out what your generator is made of. The true winter aficionado knows that in arctic temperatures a city power supply can be unreliable. To make sure your coach will always have power, keep the generator primed by running the system daily, two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. If you have Auto-Gen start, use it. Before heading out for a day of exhilarating winter sport, program the Auto-Gen to run during your set times. Satellite reception may also be less dependable during snow conditions. The good news is that this gives you more incentive to go sit in the ski lodge.
“When RVers master the challenges that accompany winter travel, the secrets of the off season unfold before them.”
Most Aqua-Hot systems include a bay thermostat that can be adjusted to program automatic bay heating, and best of all, keep the holding tanks from freezing. If you really want to beef up the Aqua-Hot system for extended cold weather use, add a defroster type blower in the bay (four outlets) available from Vehicle Systems. Use this blower to replace any existing basement units and wire the blower to the thermostat. Run a duct to each bay, and to each end of the water tank bay, placing outlets near the floor. Be sure that the bulb for the bay thermostat is on the floor of the bay, and not directly where a duct blows. Add an extra layer of insulation to the inside bay doors, being cautious that the doors still have a tight seal.
Spray foam can be added to insulate the undercarriage of the RV. Prior to spraying, use paper to wrap the brake valves, ride height valves, etc., for protection. Carefully spray under the bedroom floor and rear firewall, as well as the front living room floor and front firewall. To avoid covering the drain tubes, place a bolt in each drain tube before spraying, and remove the bolt once finished. Prevent sealing off the deck plates in the water bay by masking them from underneath. Once spraying is complete, remove the deck plate and use a small handsaw to cut out the opening.
“Camping in the winter gives you a chance to really find out what your generator is made of.”
Plan your winter road trips carefully. Frequently consult state highway departments for updates on local road conditions. A winter storm warning means that severe weather is expected to reach the area. A storm watch signifies that severe weather conditions are definitely on the way. Blizzard warnings indicate that large amounts of falling or blowing snow, combined with winds of at least 35 miles per hour, are predicted. Wind chill is a calculation of how cold it feels outside when the effects of temperature and wind speed are combined. A strong wind combined with a temperature of just below freezing can have the same effect as a still air temperature of about 35 degrees colder.
Limit travel to daylight hours. Equip the RV with a CB radio in the event emergency assistance is required. If a planned route is experiencing a storm warning, use an alternate route or wait until road conditions improve. Winter weather can be beastly, so use caution and common sense. Remember that roads are more likely to freeze in the early morning or late evening hours. Pay close attention to weather forecasts. Drive with self-confidence and use an over abundance of caution. Keep maximum distance between your RV and other traffic.
Black ice can be sneaky. Use brakes to decrease speed before reaching a curve, not while navigating through the bend. Drive slowly on curves to prevent vehicle skid and try to avoid sudden steering wheel movement. Expect a bridge surface to be slick and decrease your vehicle speed on approach. If the RV begins to slide, ease up on the accelerator. When traveling downhill, use proper gears and minimal braking. Park on flat ground whenever possible. Apply the emergency brake when the RV is stopped, but use caution. Wet brake shoes may freeze to the drums. Utilize wheel chocks when parked.
“If you intend to hang out in the sub-zeroes for more than a week, consider investing in a heated battery blanket.”
To prepare an older model coach, do all of the above, and add double pane windows. Insulate bay doors with the same material used to insulate home water heaters, but not too much because this could prevent the doors from tightly sealing. Consider installing a block heater or coolant heater to the diesel generator. A small furnace can be added to heat the bays, and for extra comfort run one duct up into the slide and under the sofa to also heat the slideout and reduce condensation on the windows.
If you become trapped during a blizzard, stay with the RV. Leaving on foot to seek assistance when visibility is less than 100 yards may cause you to become disoriented and lost in blowing and drifting snow. Run the generator to keep the batteries charged. Engage the hazard lights, and display a trouble sign by hanging a brightly colored cloth on the roadside mirror. Beware of snow blocking the exhaust pipe and creating a build up of carbon monoxide. Open an exhaust vent for ventilation and occasionally clear snow build up from the exhaust pipe.
When RVers master the challenges that accompany winter travel, the secrets of the off season unfold before them. Take the necessary steps to outfit your RV for winter camping and enjoy a whole new level of outdoor fun. |
