RV Repairs and Upgrades To Make Before Winter

For many outdoor enthusiasts, winter is the off-season—you pack up your gear, store your RV, and start planning next year’s adventures. For some RVers, though, winter is the perfect time to see the world in a new light. With smaller crowds and gorgeous snowy scenery, a winter RV trip is well worth the effort. However, there are a few things you need to do before you take your vehicle out into the cold. Before the temperature gets too low, check these RV repairs and upgrades to make before winter off your to-do list.

Add Insulation

This is not recommended as several brands laminate their sidewalls and the cavity is filled with Styrofoam that is glued to both the exterior and interior walls and vacuum or pressure sealed. There are also metal backers that are laminated in place for securing cabinetry, switches, etc. Removing walls will affect these as well. RV’s with corrugated metal siding can have the exteriors removed and the insulation can be replaced but keep in mind that these walls are only 2-1/4 inches thick so you’re going to be limited on the R-factor. If this is going to be done, it is recommended to have a professional do it as every component is going to have to be removed from the roof trim piece down to the skirt metal. It will be very expensive for a slight increase in R-Factor.

Check the seals around your windows and doors, and add caulk as needed. Also, an RV skirt will help keep frigid air away from your RV’s underbelly. Additional insulation can be added in the chassis area. It may require removing the underbelly but can make a huge difference as 80% of your heat loss is in the floor and roof.

Something that is more effective would be to add small two or three inch vents to the kitchen and lavatory cabinetry. If possible, place them on opposite ends of the cabinet, one higher and the other lower. This will allow the temperature in the cabinet to equalize with the temperature in the main cabin / living area. This is important because the plumbing is run next to the exterior wall which is going to be colder and it’s in a non-heated compartment which can lead to freezing.

Inspect the Roof

Fixing roof problems should be at the top of your list of RV repairs and upgrades to make before winter. A leaky roof can lead to frigid drafts, dangerous water damage, and an overall uncomfortable trip. Inspect your roof for cracks, sun damage, and other issues that can lead to serious problems down the road. By addressing these issues early, you can travel with confidence throughout the winter.

Winterize the Plumbing

One of the biggest challenges of RVing in the winter is making sure your pipes don’t freeze. Insulation helps with this by keeping interior pipes safe from freezing temperatures. However, you should take your winterization a step further by installing heating solutions throughout your water system. UltraHeat’s effective and intuitive heating pads prevent your tanks, pipes, and valves from freezing down to -11F. Protect your RV and keep your water system running smoothly when you purchase black tank heaters and other heating pads from UltraHeat.

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