How to Insulate Your RV and Make it Winter-proof
Although many people consider RVing during the warmer seasons, it’s quite common and very affordable to go camping in the winter too. The difference would be in the RV insulation you need to use to make your RV warm enough so you can feel comfortable in it even in harsh temperatures. If you are looking for RV insulation ideas we have quite a few that we tested out and they yielded positive results.
Related: The Best RV Refrigerators
The first part that needs immediate attention is the windows of your RV. Even the best-insulated travel trailers might need more insulation to make it comfortable, warm, and cozy. Heat escapes quite fast through the windows which is why it’s important to do a few steps to make sure they are properly insulated. The first thing you have to do is check the window frames and see if any air is escaping through them. You can easily check this using a fan. Have someone blow the fan from inside and you stand on the outside to check if any hot air is coming your way. If there is a leak you’ll need to caulk the window frame. You will also need to get plastic film and stick it to the windows as an extra layer of insulation. Sticking this on both the inside and the outside of your RV windows. You can also get reflective drapes that will keep the cold out and the warm air inside.
Insulating your roof vent properly will ensure that not a lot of warm air is escaping through it. You can’t completely cover it because you’ll eventually run out of the air and you definitely don’t want that. The simplest solution here is to get a cover for your vent and simply cover it when you’re not done cooking or stop using a space heater so you don’t run out of breathable air. Another way to make sure your RV stays warm when you are not inside is to use a piece of foam and cover the vent. When you are not using the ventilation there is no need to leave it open so the hot air can escape.
Related: Best RV Tankless Water Heaters
This part of most RVs, travel trailers, and 5th wheels isn’t insulated very well. What you can do is get some foam and insulate some sections with it but this isn’t ideal because foam is quite soft and you won’t be able to stand or walk on those parts. The best way to insulate the floor is by getting a carpet that will act as an insulation from the cold floor.
Your doors, just like your windows are prone to letting the warm air out and often allow the cold air to sneak in. You will need to inspect the frames of the door for leaks and use some foam on the edges of the door. Another good way to insulate your door is to hang some type of curtain on the inside that will block the hot air from escaping while at the same time keep the cold air away from you.
Because the winter season can be ruthless and you can’t really know how much the temperature will drop, you’ll need to keep your plumbing and tanks insulated so they don’t freeze which will render them unusable. Heat tape can be great for insulating the pipes on your RV. This tape can also prevent any damage to your pipes. If you have any pipes or plumbing that is exposed, it will help if you build a small box to cover them up. Another way to make sure your tanks don’t freeze is to add the pink antifreeze to it. Using the RV antifreeze will ensure that you don’t end up with a frozen water holding tank which is one of the worst possible outcomes that can happen. Because you’re trying to heat up your RV as much as possible inside so you can be comfortable, you can also leave your cabinet doors open where you have plumbing so that the heat can reach them easier and keep them warm as well. The tanks can be insulated using foam or heat tape too. If you think the weather is extremely cold, you can add some heat tape or foam on the outside of the tanks.
Going for a winter trip in your RV can be quite an enjoyable experience because there are some amazing winter locations that will take your breath away. However, winter can be cruel and even the smallest miscalculation can lead to an unpleasant situation. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and make sure you take the proper steps for RV insulation. The steps we mentioned above aren’t hard to execute but they will surely increase the comfort of your RV during this winter.
Related: The Best RV Refrigerators
How to Insulate Your RV and Make it Winter-proof
RV Window Insulation
The first part that needs immediate attention is the windows of your RV. Even the best-insulated travel trailers might need more insulation to make it comfortable, warm, and cozy. Heat escapes quite fast through the windows which is why it’s important to do a few steps to make sure they are properly insulated. The first thing you have to do is check the window frames and see if any air is escaping through them. You can easily check this using a fan. Have someone blow the fan from inside and you stand on the outside to check if any hot air is coming your way. If there is a leak you’ll need to caulk the window frame. You will also need to get plastic film and stick it to the windows as an extra layer of insulation. Sticking this on both the inside and the outside of your RV windows. You can also get reflective drapes that will keep the cold out and the warm air inside.
Roof Vent Insulation
Insulating your roof vent properly will ensure that not a lot of warm air is escaping through it. You can’t completely cover it because you’ll eventually run out of the air and you definitely don’t want that. The simplest solution here is to get a cover for your vent and simply cover it when you’re not done cooking or stop using a space heater so you don’t run out of breathable air. Another way to make sure your RV stays warm when you are not inside is to use a piece of foam and cover the vent. When you are not using the ventilation there is no need to leave it open so the hot air can escape.
Related: Best RV Tankless Water Heaters
Floor Insulation
This part of most RVs, travel trailers, and 5th wheels isn’t insulated very well. What you can do is get some foam and insulate some sections with it but this isn’t ideal because foam is quite soft and you won’t be able to stand or walk on those parts. The best way to insulate the floor is by getting a carpet that will act as an insulation from the cold floor.
Door Insulation
Your doors, just like your windows are prone to letting the warm air out and often allow the cold air to sneak in. You will need to inspect the frames of the door for leaks and use some foam on the edges of the door. Another good way to insulate your door is to hang some type of curtain on the inside that will block the hot air from escaping while at the same time keep the cold air away from you.
Insulating Your Plumbing and Tanks
Because the winter season can be ruthless and you can’t really know how much the temperature will drop, you’ll need to keep your plumbing and tanks insulated so they don’t freeze which will render them unusable. Heat tape can be great for insulating the pipes on your RV. This tape can also prevent any damage to your pipes. If you have any pipes or plumbing that is exposed, it will help if you build a small box to cover them up. Another way to make sure your tanks don’t freeze is to add the pink antifreeze to it. Using the RV antifreeze will ensure that you don’t end up with a frozen water holding tank which is one of the worst possible outcomes that can happen. Because you’re trying to heat up your RV as much as possible inside so you can be comfortable, you can also leave your cabinet doors open where you have plumbing so that the heat can reach them easier and keep them warm as well. The tanks can be insulated using foam or heat tape too. If you think the weather is extremely cold, you can add some heat tape or foam on the outside of the tanks.
Going for a winter trip in your RV can be quite an enjoyable experience because there are some amazing winter locations that will take your breath away. However, winter can be cruel and even the smallest miscalculation can lead to an unpleasant situation. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and make sure you take the proper steps for RV insulation. The steps we mentioned above aren’t hard to execute but they will surely increase the comfort of your RV during this winter.
