Having your home come along with you while you travel has its ups and downs. One worry that you may encounter is living in a trailer during the winter. But just about any trailer can be used in the winter. However, there are certain things to look for that some travel trailer manufacturers do better than others for winter travel.
Insulation
Just about all travel trailers can be outfitted for winter use. There are certain trailers that are made better for insulation than others. When investing into travel trailers for winter use, look into purchasing one made in the northern states or Canada. These will likely have better insulation than travel trailers made in the warmer, southern climates. Look for the travel trailer to have thick insulation in the ceilings, walls and floors. Having a travel trailer that has underbelly insulation is a plus because this will keep your floors warmer and will not let heat escape there.
Keep the Heat In
The key to living in a travel trailer during the winter is making sure the heat stays in and does not leak out. The outside of the travel trailer is important in the winter climates. Having a travel trailer with a fiberglass insulation, often referred to as an R7, will be better for insulation than an R9, which is block foam insulation.
Heated holding tanks will keep your fresh water supply from freezing. For the winter, you want any part of your travel trailer that will cause drafts or heat leakage to be blocked, so find a trailer that has thermal paned windows. Insulated, double-pane windows will stop a lot of the heat from getting out.
Blizzards and Snow
If you will be traveling and staying in an area that is known for blizzards and snow pileups, make sure you have plenty of food and water. Your well being and safety are the most important factors, so prepare for being cooped up in your trailer for a long time, without a chance to go to a store or supermarket.
Make your travel trailer insulated. Purchase skirting for going around the base of the trailer. You can make your own with plywood or buy one at a camping supply store. Check that you have enough propane if that is what you use for cooking and hot water. Wrap heat tape around the pipes to keep them from freezing, and, until you are ready to dump, keep the gray and black water valves closed. Have wide planks that you place under your tires so you do not sink into the ground when it thaws. Experiencing the winter in a travel trailer is something that you will remember for a long time, and, depending whether you were ready or not, will dictate if that experience was hair-raising or something you will want to do again and again.
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