RVing During a Canadian Winter

Just because we’re headed into winter doesn’t mean that RV season needs to be over. While many are beginning to winterize their trailers and RVs and getting them ready to sit unused for the next few months, some people are planning their next adventure on the road.

Thinking of travelling? Check out these 11 beautiful RV destinations across Canada.

Travelling in your RV or trailer can absolutely be done no matter the time of year, but there are special considerations and precautions that need to be taken to ensure that your RV can continue to run as the temperatures drop.

With an ice scraper in hand, check out our advice on RVing during a Canadian winter.

Insulate Your RV

As many Manitobans are familiar with, winters can be harsh, and insulating/sealing up windows and doors can make a world of difference when it comes to keeping the cold out and the heat in.

Be sure to seal all of your windows and doors. Consider using sealant tape such as butyl tape to cover up any cracks or holes around your window and door frames. For larger holes or cracks within the interior or on the exterior of your RV, be sure to seal them with caulking – it goes beyond keeping heat in at that point, and instead ensures your RV remains safe and secure.

Other great options for insulating your RV include window coverings for temperature control, heavy drapes, or insulated curtains, insulated floors to reduce heat transfer, and RV skirting of a high-quality material, easily installed and removed, which completely covers the underside of your RV.

Make sure to insulate yourself, as well. Don’t skimp on the warm clothes just because you plan on staying in the RV for most of your travel time. Warm clothes, heavy duty boots and shoes, and clothes to bundle up with are still a must.

Protect the Plumbing

The last thing you want to be dealing with while RVing in the winter is a frozen water or sewer tank. Keep your plumbing protected by using heat tape on all pipes and hoses, especially those that connect to your holding tanks, and avoid dumping until they’re full or almost full – they’re less likely to freeze that way.

You can use RV-rated antifreeze in your grey and black tanks by flushing it down the toilets and pouring it into your drains. This will help ensure your lines and tanks do not freeze and allows you to continue using your RV as needed.

Consider buying a heated water hose if you have a freshwater hookup or use your internal freshwater tank if you have one. Otherwise, make sure you have distilled water ready for use for brushing your teeth, doing the dishes, etc.

Keep Emergency Equipment On-hand

When travelling for any amount of time, it’s important to have the proper emergency equipment on-board in case you run into any problems while on the road. This is especially true during Canadian winters where it gets dark sooner and you may be doing some night-time travelling or reduced visibility travelling.

Be sure to stock and bring along the following emergency equipment on your winter travels:

• Warning triangles
• Traction mat
• Window breaker & seatbelt cutter
• Flares
• Fire extinguisher
• Tire pressure gauge
• Survival whistle

Stay Warm with a Heater

If you’re looking to save money while staying warm during your winter RV travels, you should invest in a space heater. The furnace is a great option when the outside temperature is above 5 degrees Celsius, but below that and you’ll burn a lot of energy (in this case, propane).

If you plan on relying on the furnace, be sure to have a lot of propane stocked so you can keep it running.

Supplement propane costs of running your furnace by keeping the temperature lower at night. Once you get up in the morning, turn the furnace down and use your space heater during the day. Since these heaters shouldn’t be left unattended or kept running while you’re sleeping, this is a great alternative to relying on your furnace for the entire trip – especially when it gets extra cold.

Though you likely won’t want to keep any windows open, it’s important to have proper ventilation (such as a slightly ajar window) while you’re running your heater. It can also cause quite a bit of moisture to accumulate in the air, which can affect certain equipment, so having a dehumidifier or a container of moisture absorbent on board is also a must.

Most importantly, make sure your furnace is working before you set out! If it isn’t, your best bet is to take your RV in before heading out on your trip. However, things happen, and you might run into an issue with the furnace or other parts of your RV while on the road!

In that case, RV Care is there to protect you.

RV Care

When you purchase an RV from GNR Camping World, you are automatically entered into the RV Care Program. RV Care gives you peace of mind when you hit the road by offering access to over 200 dealer locations across North America who can take care of any service needs you may have while on the road.

You can plan all you want, but your RV might have other plans while you’re on the road. That’s why RV Care is a must for any RV trip, especially during the winter when conditions aren’t as favourable as dry roads and warmer weather. The cold weather can kill batteries and burst pipes, which could be detrimental to your trip.

RV Care’s many partners are committed to making every effort to get you a diagnosis within one service day, getting you back on the road both quickly and safely, and are equipped to quickly locate RV and trailer parts from within their network if they don’t have the parts on hand.

You will also gain access to over 500 KOA (Kampgrounds of America) parks across the continent at a discount so you can stop and take a break no matter where your travel plans (or spontaneous adventure) take you. Feel safer on the road with the RV Care program.

Finally, don’t forget to winterize your trailer or RV once you’re back from your winter travels! Even if it’s only going to sit for a short amount of time, the cold can do a lot of damage to your travel vehicle and it’s better to properly winter-proof it rather than trying to challenge the elements or hope for the best.