Everyone knows that RVing is fun in the summer when the weather is warm and pleasant. But for the more brave RV owners out there, cold weather RVing is its own pleasure. When camping in the fall and winter, you’ll often find the RV parks are not full and more quiet and private. Attractions and tourist destinations often have shorter lines or even off-season rates. And up here in Montana, you’ll find plenty of snow, which is fun for kids and adults.
If you plan to take an RV trip during the colder months, there are a few things you should consider. We’ve listed our tips for cold weather RVing below.
Read on to learn about how to plan and prepare for your next trip, and come into Bretz Airstream of Montana if you need a new travel trailer or RV. We’re located in Missoula, Montana, and we proudly serve the areas of Bozeman, Kalispell, Billings, and Whitefish, Montana.
Plan for the Weather
Weather is perhaps the most important element for anyone camping in the colder months. The difference between a cold, snowy day and a sudden blizzard could be the difference between a pleasant camping trip and a potentially dangerous encounter. Make sure to pay close attention to forecasts as the day of the trip gets closer. If you have a smartphone, it can be helpful to monitor the weather when you’re out camping so that you can head out before bad weather comes. The weather you are expecting should obviously affect what gear you bring. The more severe the weather, the more specialized gear you’ll need. In most cases, you don’t want to tough out the weather. A bad Montana storm can make things dangerous even for experienced campers.
Plan for Emergencies
The problem is that forecasts aren’t always correct and unexpected weather events do occur. Make sure to bring all of the necessary emergency supplies. A few space blankets can be extremely helpful to have on hand. You’ll also want a few tools for starting fires such as waterproof matches and a lighter. It’s also helpful to have a good road safety kit if something goes wrong while you’re on the road. A few signal flares, high visibility equipment, and some basic tools will get the job done. You might also consider investing in a GPS signal beacon. These devices allow you to put out a help beacon which will alert rescuers to your position. This is especially helpful if you like boondocking or off-the-grid living.
Bring Plenty of Supplies
Cold weather camping generally requires a lot more supplies than normal camping. If you’re planning on being out in the snow, you’ll probably end up burning through more calories and needing to eat more. Make sure to pack more food than you normally might. You don’t necessarily need to pack more piece of clothing as long as the clothing you pack is appropriate for the weather. (The one exception here is socks because you can never have enough socks when it’s cold out.) You might consider bringing a snow shovel, de-icer, and other gear for helping to clear your campsite, too.
Be Mindful of Road Conditions
Driving is one of the more dangerous elements of cold weather RVing, so make sure you’re always monitoring the road conditions. Driving in the snow or ice is dangerous even for normal cars, but when you’re towing a big travel trailer or fifth wheel, it’s even worse. The most important thing you can do is slow down and take it easy. You might need to drop to a much lower speed and put on your hazard lights if the roads are bad enough. Bring along some snow chains so that you can get traction if the snow starts to pile up. If the weather drops below the freezing point, remember that there’s a good chance that you’ll find black ice somewhere. Don’t be afraid to wait out the weather if you know a window of clear conditions is coming.
Cold weather RVing can be a really rewarding experience if you plan and prepare correctly. Stop by Bretz Airstream of Montana if you’re looking for a new RV that can handle the cold temperatures. Airstream trailers are designed to be comfortable and cozy all year round. Bretz Airstream of Montana is located in Missoula, Montana, and we proudly serve the areas of Bozeman, Kalispell, Billings, and Whitefish.
