Winter RV Living: How to Stay Warm and Safe

Winter RV living isn't cozy mugs of cocoa and twinkle lights on your dash. It's snow in your underwear, ice on your pillow, and wondering if your black tank just became a frozen poopsickle. If you're prepping for your first real cold season in an RV—or you're coming back for round two (glutton for punishment,)—here’s what you actually need to know to stay warm and not lose your damn mind.

Why Winter RV Living Is a Whole Different Beast

Off-grid or not, winter throws curveballs that first time RVers never see coming. I'm talking more than -40°C in Alberta kind of curveballs. Your water lines freeze. Your solar panels can’t see the sun. Your sanity feels like it’s hibernating with the bears.

During one particularly brutal Canadian winter, I had power—but no running water. Not because my pipes froze, but because I couldn’t actually get water into the tank. That meant hauling it in jugs, showering at the gym, and treating every drop like it was liquid gold. 

Winter RV Living Prep for Success

Insulate Like Your Life Depends on It

RV skirting is your first line of defense if you are stationary  It keeps cold air from whipping under your floor, which is usually the thinnest part of your rig. Bonus points if you toss a small heater under there.  Read all about RV skirting here.

Next think about reflective foil in the windows. Thermal curtains across the cab. Every crack, every seam, every cold draft is a tiny thief stealing your heat. Pay special attention to your windows and doors—those are the biggest culprits. 

Choose Heat Sources That Actually Work Off-Grid

A propane heater is great—until you run out of propane. A diesel heater is better if you're boondocking long-term and don’t want to mess with open flames or challenging refills.  I think it’s easier to have a jerry can of diesel fuel than a bunch of propane tanks. Electric space heaters are fine if you’ve got shore power, but not realistic for off-grid life unless you’ve got a beast of a solar setup.

My personal favorite? That heated blanket. Flip it on while you’re winding down, then shut it off once the bed’s warmed up. Game changer.

Keep the Mice Out or Kiss Your Sanity Goodbye

Winter means every critter is looking for a warm place to shack up—and your RV is prime real estate. Here’s how I repel rats and mice without poisoning everything in sight. Steel wool, peppermint oil, and constant vigilance. Don’t leave food out, and check your rig daily.

Don’t Skip the Winterizing Basics

If you think winterizing is optional, think again. Cracked tanks and burst lines will ruin your trip and drain your wallet. This guide to winterizing your RV covers everything you need to protect your plumbing, tanks, and sanity before the first deep freeze hits.

Daily Survival Tactics for Winter RV Living

Managing Snow Is an Absolute Necessity

You’ll be clearing snow daily—off your slides, your roof, around your rig. Let it build up and you’re looking at damage, water intrusion, and even collapse. I spent more time with a broom than I did sleeping some weeks. But there’s a rhythm to it, and when it’s quiet and still out, the snow removal can be strangely calming.

Invest in a long-handled brush, a snow shovel, and gloves that won’t leave your fingers numb in five minutes. Do it at dusk or dawn if you want to avoid melting snow refreezing into ice.

Hauling and Conserving Water in the Cold

Water is a whole thing in the winter. Even if your onboard plumbing is insulated, hoses freeze fast and refills become a guessing game. I used to fill 20L jugs at a the grocery store, then pour them into a funnel and pray my breath didn’t freeze before the tank filled.

You learn to ration. No unnecessary dishwashing. Baby wipes are gold.

Solar Power Doesn’t Work as Hard in Winter

Your panels are going to slack off the second the days shorten. Keep them angled and clean, but don’t expect miracles. Snow cover kills production. So does heavy cloud. Have a generator or alternate charging method ready.

Also, cold kills batteries faster. Keep them insulated and check voltage regularly. LED lights and energy-efficient appliances help you stretch every watt.

Staying Warm Without Losing Your Mind

Layer Up and Reinforce Your Bed

Start with a good base layer. Add a wool mid-layer. Finish with something windproof. Indoors and out, layers are your best friend. Wool socks, thermal leggings, fleece hoodies, and insulated slippers are the winter RV uniform.

As for sleep, I use layers of wool blankets, fleece, and a thick comforter—plus that heated blanket to pre-warm the bed. I also use foam insulation beneath the mattress to stop cold air from creeping up from the storage bay below.

Mental Health Deserves Just as Much Planning

Winter RV life can be isolating. The quiet is amazing—but also deafening. You need a plan for your mental health. I picked up knitting. I made lists. I gave myself projects and reasons to leave the rig, even if it was just to stomp around in the snow for a while.

Talk to people online. Watch dumb movies. Write stuff down. Make sure you’re tending your emotional fire, not just your physical one.

What to Watch for in a Mild Winter

Mild doesn’t mean easy. Melting snow turns to ice overnight. Mud gets deep and clingy. You might even deal with flooding if you’re parked in a bad spot. Lay down gravel or wood chips. Know your escape route if the ground softens under your tires.

Wildlife also stays active longer. Raccoons, coyotes, even bears in some areas. Keep food locked up and trash sealed tight. Respect the fact that you’re not the only one trying to survive the season.

Spring Can’t Come Soon Enough

When the thaw finally hits, don’t just wing it. Here’s how to dewinterize your RV the right way so you don’t flood your rig or wreck your plumbing on day one of spring.

Get My eBook: Rolling Solo is CA$5 and full of real stories and hard-won lessons from a woman who's been living on the road since 2009. 

About the Author: I’ve been living full-time in a van or RV since 2009, weathering Canadian winters, U.S. deserts, and everything in between. For more no-BS stories and real-life survival tips, follow along at missadVANture.com.