SoulRider
When the days are shorter and cooler, proper insulation is essential for comfort on the road.
Words by Steve Fennell
If you’re like us, you like modifying your trailer, upgrading it with aftermarket products and systems for more convenience and comfort. Many upgrades can be completed in your driveway, RV shelter (if you have one) or garage. All that’s required is the right tools, basic hands-on know-how, and a keen understanding of your trailer.
Travel trailers are designed and built for travelling from late spring into the fall with a variety of four-season models available for more hardy RVers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, after a solid summer and fall of RVing, you may find yourself still longing for some weekend adventure into the cooler months - and even the winter - to enjoy the fewer crowds and all of the seasonal activities that can be enjoyed this time of year.
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Locate the RV pipes and ensure they have added insulation to prevent damage or freezing.
If this is your plan or it sounds appealing, you’ll want to install added insulation as well as make a few modifications to your trailer to better handle cold conditions. It’s not hard to do, relatively inexpensive, and you just need some knowledge of your systems and unit. There are a variety of ways to do this for optimal function and here are just a few of them to get your DIY insulation projects started.
Insulting Pipes, Slideouts and More
The water pipes in your trailer should be one of the first areas to insulate, thus ensuring proper function and to prevent them from freezing. One way to do this is by locating the freshwater hose and wrapping it with standard 110V heat tape. This can be purchased from Home Depot or Canadian Tire at a reasonable cost and is commonly used for all types of water pipe applications. Simply wrap the pipe in a spiral fashion, and then cover it with foam insulation. Repeat the process for other exposed pipes and be sure to cover the exterior faucet(s) as well. If you’re unsure of the application and effectiveness of using heat tape, be sure to consult with the manufacturer or your local RV dealer for further insight.
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Plan ahead when the weather is ideal to ensure all windows and doors are properly sealed.
While most walls and ceilings in RVs come with insulation, some slideouts may have less or none at all, and cause a lot of heat loss. Draft stoppers, which can be purchased and ordered on Amazon, can be placed at the bottom of the interior and serve as an effective means of insulation while installing slide blankets around the sides of the exterior is another effective way of preserving warmth. These come in many designs, materials and thickness, and can be mounted in a variety of other exterior locations as well.
Another simple approach to preserve warmth is by covering vinyl or laminate flooring with rugs to keep the floor comfortable and warm, especially on those chilly mornings. For colder conditions, installing skirting around the exterior of the lower portion of your trailer can also greatly reduce drafts, heat loss, and even protect the trailer’s plumbing system.
Since heat also rises, warm air can escape through the roof vent(s). To prevent this, many manufacturers like Camco offer vent insulators that have a thick layer of foam to prevent heat transfer and fit standard (14 in) roof vents. They are also effective in blocking UV rays and can keep cool A/C air in your trailer during the summer.
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Lay down thick thrown-down rugs to avoid having cold, bare floors.
Holding Tanks
One effective way to prevent all tanks from freezing is by installing tank heaters. These are essentially electric heating pads that attach to the bottom of the grey, black and fresh water tanks and connect to your trailer’s electrical system. While available on new models, they are fairly easy to install on older units with some wiring involved. The excess heat can also potentially keep surrounding pipes a little warmer.
Another common method to prevent freezing of the tanks is by simply adding a small amount of some good ol’ fashioned anti-freeze into the black and grey tanks. To do this for the black water tank, empty it, close the dump valve and add the antifreeze through the toilet. Repeat the process for the gray holding tank, but add the antifreeze through the shower/tub drain. You’ll also want to use a non-toxic solution and the amount of antifreeze depends on the size of each tank. Remember, wastewater will dilute the anti-freeze over time so it’s important to add more when required.
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Having your RV ready will also prepare you for unexpected, early snowfalls.
Check Your RV’s Windows and Doors
Although many new units come with double- or even triple-pane windows, some only have a single pane. If your trailer has the latter or you just want some added insulation, cut some bubble wrap (thicker is best) or a thermal insulating material such as Reflectix to the size of the window and attach it by dampening the glass (with a spray bottle or moist rag with water and maybe some dish soap). It may not be aesthetically pleasing, but it will retain warmth in your trailer.
Also, check the sealing around the doors or windows for any drafts from cracking and small gaps. If there are any, apply weather energy-efficient weather stripping, which is relatively inexpensive and offers great results.
There are many quick DIY projects to prepare your trailer for the colder temps and these are just a few great starting points to do before you once again hit the road.