Essential RV Upgrades for the Perfect Winter Road Trip

Summer is still the most popular time for RV road trips, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it in the winter with proper preparation and upgrades. You’ll simply have to adjust your pre-trip planning to include a strategy for dealing with cold weather. The following is a list of upgrades and things to pack before setting out on a winter road trip with your RV.

Things To Pack

Whether your RV is a standalone motorhome or a large fifth wheel hooked to a new or used truck, there are some essential supplies to have with you on a winter road trip. The main thing to watch out for in the winter is bad weather. Depending on where you go, this might include snow, heavy rain, or ice.

Tire chains, snow shovels, flashlights, warm gloves, and extra sleeping bags/blankets are all essential basics to pack. You’ll need chains for your truck and RV if you run into winter weather. A snow shovel is an emergency tool in case you get snowed in at your campground and need to dig out of your spot. The rest are simply necessary items for dealing with the dark and cold, which the winter season has plenty of.

Upgrades To Consider

Staying warm during a winter road trip is likely your top priority. For that purpose, you might want to invest in a larger propane tank. A standard 20-pound tank is fine for basics like the refrigerator, cooking, or using the furnace. But in winter temperatures, you’ll probably run out faster than you think.

A temperature gauge with three extra sensors is a useful upgrade for knowing your RV’s temperature. A four-gauge thermostat will provide peace of mind as you’ll know the temperature of your exterior, interior, and beneath the RV.

Space heaters are another way to stay warm without using all your propane. The only caveat here is to ensure that you don’t blow any fuses. You can mitigate this by using an extension cord from the main fuse box and ensuring that you’re getting power from the proper circuit.

Roof vent covers perform two essential functions for camping in the winter. First, they allow you to keep your vents open in almost any weather, and second, they create proper ventilation if you decide to run a propane heater in your RV.

Keeping Winter Weather Outside

The other thing to consider when you take an RV on a winter road trip is how to ensure that winter weather stays outside. First, check that all your seals are intact and use sealant as necessary. Second, check for leaks everywhere in your RV.

One essential upgrade for keeping winter weather outside is to use an RV skirt. RV skirting kits are easy to snap on and help keep the inside of your RV up to 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. When you’re trying to stay warm in winter weather, an RV skirt is indispensable.

Another upgrade to consider for keeping winter weather out is a slide topper. A slide topper works to keep snow and debris off your slide, protecting it from moisture and damage.