The Winter RV Essentials You May Have Forgotten

The thrill and chill of winter camping isn’t for every Airstream owner, as many campgrounds clear out entirely of RV traffic in the colder months. But sticking it out for some year-round fun in your favorite getaway camper could be one of your most enjoyable trips of the year. Snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating, and all the other delights of a winter day will have you ready for a cozy hot chocolate night at camp--which you may have all to yourself.

Proper preparation for a winter trip is crucial. Surely, you’ll remember the basics--several extra layers of clothing, your preferred heating source and a backup heating system, tire chains. 

But forgetting that rarely used gear you never thought of at home on a winter camping trip can be disastrous. Here’s a list of some of the most important winter camping gear that you may have forgotten. 

1. A headlamp. 

This one honestly goes for every season. It’s tricky to switch out your propane tank in the middle of the night while also juggling a flashlight, especially when the middle of the night starts at 6 p.m. with the winter sun setting so early. Also crucial for the spontaneous sunrise hike, stashing a few headlamps throughout your Airstream will save you from many nighttime difficulties.

2. Floor insulation.

The floor of a RV is metal and above ground, leaving it subject to the frosty whipping winds of winter. A cold enough floor can refrigerate your whole RV, and at the very least make walking around inside unpleasant. The quickest solution to this for just a night or two at camp is a good pair of slippers. For a fix that really warms the floor, consider insulating underneath your Airstream. A framed skirt easily wraps around the whole RV to knockout wind, but hay bales under the floor or a tarp with latticework are cheaper options. None of these should be placed near heat sources like the hot water heater pilot light or refrigerator, as hay and latticework in particular are highly flammable. 

3. A shovel.

Although obvious to some, a shovel may be the only thing keeping you from being buried in a surprise snowstorm for three days. Don’t let the bulkiness of carrying one around discourage you, a foldable sports utility shovel is easy to pack away. 

4. Check on your carbon monoxide alarm.

Do this before you start the trip. Using propane heat can accumulate carbon monoxide in your RV if your rooftop vents are blocked. Plus, the cold weather could decline the health of the existing alarm battery. 

5. A hairdryer. 

If everything goes wrong and your pipes freeze, a hairdryer is the quickest way to melt them again, and rewarm yourself a little bit in the process. Battery operated hair dryers could also be your only heat source if power is lost. 

Camping in the winter is a worthwhile adventure, despite the need for more preparation. The isolation you may run into at winter destinations typically packed in the summer creates a winter wonderland that’s yours to play in. And the stories from those frosty adventures will last a lifetime. 

At Pete’s RV Center, we have everything you need for comfort in your Airstream during every season. Your Airstream needs are ours to appease!