RV Skirting – The “How to” and “What is” Questions and Answers.

Most Common Questions regarding RV Skirting.

How much does RV Skirting Cost?

Depending on what type of RV Skirting you choose, there can be a wide range in the cost. The most cost-effective type of RV Skirting is the “Do-it-Yourself” style like EZ Snap® RV Skirting. These “DYI” options are typically in the $1000 or less range, depending on the size and type of your RV. Use the EZ Snap RV Skirting Cost Calculator to find out how much will it cost to skirt your specific RV.

Click Link to Calculator

The expensive RV Skirting types of RV Skirting is custom-made by an upholstery or sewing shop and also the inflatable style of skirting. These two types can range from about $3000, all the way up to the $7000 range. It is the expensive labor of upholstery shops that drives the costs up. That is why the “DYI’ options are so cost-effective. You use your labor for FREE, but still, professional-looking end up with a quality and professional-looking RV Skirting. While the custom-made skirting option usually does a good job of stopping air infiltration, the inflatable style skirting has a reputation for deflating and being prone to air leaks that let the cold winter air in.

What is the best RV Skirting?

The best RV Skirting is typically the one that stops air infiltration for a low cost, but is still made with quality materials and has a professional look.

Here are some RV Skirting types with their Pros & Cons:

“DIY” RV Skirting Kits (Like EZ Snap®)

AVG Cost = $1000

Pros: Low Cost $ – Can stop 100% of Air infiltration – High Quality – No special tools required – cheaper than custom made.

Cons: Must install yourself

Inflatable RV Skirting (Like Air Skirts)

AVG Cost = $2000 to $3000

Pros: No special tools required – Cheaper than custom-made

Cons: Expensive $$$ – Difficult to stop Air infiltration around objects – Prone to deflating in colder weather – Hard to repair once they develop leaks.

Custom-Made Sewn RV Skirting (Like Upholstrey Shops make)

AVG Cost = $3500 to $7000

Pros: Installed for you – High Quality – No special tools required – Can stop 100% of Air infiltration.

Cons: Very Expensive $$$$

How does RV Skirting work?

The #1 most important feature of any RV Skirting is it must completely stop “Air Infiltration.”

Most people wrongly believe that it is the job of RV Skirting to insulate the RV against the cold of winter. While insulation helps in extremely cold weather, it is not nearly as important as keeping the cold air out and the warm air in (Air Infiltration). Imagine having an expensive, insulated winter coat with the zipper undone. This is why an RV Skirting that conforms to all the corners and objects on an RV is so important. Read all about the Myths of RV Skirting R-Value in this article. It is for this same reason that poorly fitted skirting or the inflatable variety of RV Skirting, typically do not function as effectively as a properly fitted vinyl skirting product. For an even more detailed explanation of how RV Skirting works, click here.

Is RV Skirting for Winter or Summer?

The main reason why RV Skirting is used is to winterize an RV, 5th Wheel, or Travel trailer. The skirting not only makes the RV floor more comfortable in the winter weather, but it also protects water lines from freezing.

Even though RV Skirting and underpinning is mostly used for winterizing an RV, it also has many advantages to being left on for the summer months as well. If you are air -conditioning your RV in the summer, RV skirting can help reduce your a/c costs by keeping the hot summer air from getting under the RV. The skirting material also works well at keeping rodents and wind-blown debris from getting under the rig. As mentioned in previous articles, the most important feature of any type of RV Skirting is that it stops air infiltration. It will not function well if it has air gaps and is not fitted to the contours of the RV.previous

Source: RV Skirting – The “How to” and “What is” Questions and Answers.

How Does RV Skirting Work?

EZ Snap, RV News

RV skirting keeps the undercarriage of an RV warm by sealing it off from the outside air.

Once the air underneath an RV is contained it can be heated, which is what protects the pipes and tanks.

RV skirting acts like a container for heat.

If you were to put a heater under your RV without any skirting on, there would be no benefit because the heat would blow away.

Is RV skirting worth the cost?

If you full-time in an RV during the winter, think of RV skirting as an investment in peace of mind.

The main issue for RVs in cold temperatures is that the pipes can freeze.

Water expands when it freezes so if there is water inside a pipe that freezes then there’s a good chance it will burst.

And if it’s cold enough for the water to freeze, then it also could mean that the pipes have burst in multiple spots.

Even more frustrating is that calling a plumber for RV repairs is not easy because a lot don’t work on RVs.

Taking your RV to a repair shop is an option, but it’s expensive and a huge hassle if you live in it full time.

Having burst pipes also means living without running water until the repairs are done.

Installing skirting is the most effective way of protecting your RV.

Why do pipes freeze on an RV?

Most RV’s are not designed for winter living so the pipes are usually either exposed or not insulated enough.

The pipes found in a house are usually well protected, so it’s a lot harder for them to reach freezing temperatures.

Winter living in an RV usually requires a lot of customization and DIY solutions.

What if my RV has an arctic or four season package?

Even with a cold weather upgrade your RV may still be at risk.

That’s because there is no industry standard for RV winter package options so they can vary wildly in quality.

Some can live out the winter with no problems, and others can get frozen pipes despite having an arctic option.

Unless you know someone who has the same model and has gone through a winter with no issues, it can be hard to know if your RV will be able to withstand freezing temperatures.

How does RV skirting prevent pipes from freezing?

RV skirting works by enclosing the air underneath your RV.

Once you have enclosed that air, you can warm it up and the heat won’t dissipate because it’s been contained.

RV skirting acts like a barrier from the cold air outside and a container for the warm air inside.

Is insulated RV skirting worth it?

This is one of the biggest RV skirting misconceptions.

RV skirting does not need to be insulated or have any R-value.

The effectiveness of insulation is measured in R-value.

It’s the measurement for a material’s resistance to heat flow.

The higher the R-value, the better the material is at blocking the flow of heat.

The issue with R-value and RV skirting is that you don’t need any R-value at all to prevent frozen pipes.

The most important job of RV skirting is to stop air infiltration.

Air infiltration is the passage of air in or out of an enclosed space.

Stopping air infiltration on an RV is done by sealing off the bottom with skirting.

Once the air is trapped it can be heated.

That heated, contained air is what protects the pipes from freezing.

The main reason why you don’t need R-value for RV skirting is because you don’t need to keep your RV underbelly as warm the interior of the RV.

No one is living under there, so the temperature doesn’t need to be kept in the 70s.

It just needs to be kept warm enough so that nothing will freeze.

Imagine leaving the windows and doors open in a house in the middle of winter.

It wouldn’t matter how good the insulation is, the house would be freezing because the cold air is coming inside.

A house can only get warm and stay warm by sealing it off from the air outside.

RV skirting works in the same way.

Once the air is sealed off it can be heated.

Insulated RV skirting, or sometimes called quilted RV skirting, doesn’t provide any meaningful extra protection.

The thickness of insulation found in insulated RV skirting is too thin to make any real difference in R-value.

The job is RV skirting is to stop air infiltration, so to pay extra for insulation that doesn’t do a whole lot is not worth the extra expense.

Now that I have RV skirting, what next?

First, mount the skirting so that there aren’t any large openings or gaps where cold air can get in.

Second, place two temperature controlled heaters at both ends of the RV and set them to just above freezing.

This way they only turn on and stay on as long as needed to warm things up.

Place them on cookie trays so they aren’t sitting directly on the ground and invest in heaters that have a tip-over safety switch as well.

Does RV skirting have any other benefits?

Preventing the pipes from freezing is the biggest reason to skirt an RV, but there are other advantages to having skirting.

Here are just a few:

More comfortable living space

Keeping the underside of your RV above freezing will help keep your RV warmer too.

Sealing off the underside of an RV essentially creates an extra layer of insulation.

Warmer floors and a warmer cabin can make a big difference in comfort during the winter months.

Save money on propane

It goes without saying that because your floor and cabin are kept warmer by skirting, you’ll have to spend less to heat your RV.

Any RVer who’s ever full-timed through an extremely cold winter knows how much propane one family can go through just to stay warm.

By skirting an RV, that cost can be cut down.

Add that up year after year and it can be a significant savings.

Use your tanks all winter

Some RVers will winterize their rig so they don’t have to worry about frozen pipes.

That involves draining all the pipes and tanks, blowing them out to remove any water and then filling the lines with antifreeze.

It’s a way to guarantee no frozen pipes, but it also means living without running water.

That means frequent trips to get water and lugging it back to the RV, as well as only being able to use the on-site bathroom and shower.

Using RV skirting gives you the freedom to be able to use your tanks all winter.

Prevent RV tire dry rot

Tire dry rot is one of the most common problems for RVers.

It’s when a tire dries out and cracks, making it unsafe to drive on.

Once a tire has dry rot there’s no way to undo it.

Dry rot happens in RV tires for two main reasons:

When tires are exposed to direct sunlight (UV rays) for long periods of time and when tires don’t get moved often enough.

Direct exposure to UV is a major factor for tire degradation.

Having RV tires sitting in direct sunlight for months on end will dry them out and accelerate dry rot.

Covering tires from harmful UV rays is one of the best ways to prevent dry rot.

If you are skirting your RV, make sure that your skirting covers your tires as well.

This one small step can extend the life of your tires by years.

Moving your tires regularly can also help prevent dry rot.

Tires are designed to be driven and there are compound resins in a tire that get released when they’re used that keep them pliable.

If you are using an RV skirting, choose one that can be easily removed and mounted again so that you can periodically move your RV and take it on the road.

This will release those compound resins and keep it flexible.

Having RV skirting that’s easy to remove and remount will make this step a lot easier.

Combining these two preventative measures together, using RV skirting and moving your RV regularly, will help stop tire dry rot in its tracks.

More storage

Space is always an issue with RV living.

By skirting an RV, you now have the entire undercarriage to use as a storage space.

What materials to use for do-it-yourself RV Skirting?

RV skirting is anything that seals off the undercarriage of an RV.

There is no standard type of RV skirting, so a lot of different types of materials can be used.

Here are a few of the most common types of RV skirting:

Rigid Foam Insulation

Using rigid foam insulation boards is one of the most popular choices for RV skirting.

It’s inexpensive, easy to cut and easy to install.

The biggest problem with foam insulation is that the panels are so light they can easily blow off.

They need extra reinforcement to keep them attached.

That’s done by building a frame and then mounting the foam panels to it.

If your RV park has rules about aesthetics you’ll also need to put in some extra work because the insulation panels can be an eyesore on their own.

It’s the type of project that is a lot of work up front and only makes sense if you are staying in one spot for years.

If you see yourself moving at any point in the near future it would likely mean leaving your frame and insulation behind as it would be too big to bring with you.

Plywood

Installing large sheets of plywood is another common option for skirting.

It’s durable, fairly inexpensive and readily available.

Because plywood is heavy, it doesn’t need a frame built for it like foam insulation.

There also isn’t a lot of skill or tools required so it can be mounted quickly and easily.

A lot of home improvement stores will even cut your plywood for free.

But just like with the foam board, plywood can be unsightly as well and may require extra work to meet RV park standards.

Plywood is extremely heavy, so it’s another option that would only make sense to use if you never planned on moving.

Hay Bales

Hay bales are extremely affordable and insulate well, so a lot of people use them for RV skirting.

However, hay bales aren’t recommended because they have two very large drawbacks.

First, they are a fire hazard.

Hay is extremely flammable.

It doesn’t take much to set it ablaze, and the fire can move from bale to bale quickly making it very dangerous to use as skirting.

Second, hay also attracts vermin.

Using it could mean inviting a mouse infestation and all the issues that come with that.

Hay may be extremely inexpensive, but it’s not worth putting your safety at risk.

Snow

By far the cheapest skirting material you could use is snow.

It’s totally free, and by piling and packing snow around the base of the house it can be an effective skirting.

But it only works if you have enough snow all winter long.

There aren’t a lot of options if the temperature drops to freezing and there’s no snow on the ground.

It’s the kind of solution that works well when everything is the best case scenario, but that’s taking a big risk.

You don’t want to find yourself having to build a makeshift skirting in the freezing cold in the middle of winter.

The money you save by using snow might not be worth the stress and hassle that comes with it.

Vinyl

The best value for price and performance is using vinyl as your skirting.

Vinyl skirting for an RV is the most practical solution because it’s lightweight versatile, and looks great when it’s installed.

It’s easy to customize to fit your RV and terrain, and if you ever plan on moving spots it can be rolled up and brought along for the ride without taking up a lot of space.

There are a lot of varieties of skirting available, with multiple different ways to mount it, so it can be hard to know what is the best choice.

EZ Snap makes the process of buying RV skirting easy.

All you have to do is measure the length of your RV, enter your numbers into the kit size calculator and order the appropriate kit from their website.

Installing EZ Snap is straightforward and can be done in as little as a day.

RV skirting is what will protect your RV from freezing, so think of it as a long term investment that is worth your time and money.

Source: How Does RV Skirting Work?

6 Reasons To Skirt Your RV This Winter

EZ Snap, RV News

Window Shades

Skylight Shades

RV Skirting

RV Shades

Boat Shades

If you plan to live in your RV year-round, chances are you’ve been researching how to keep your RV from freezing.

There is a lot of information out there to sort through, but if you are going to winter in your RV and there is a risk for freezing temperatures, you are going to have to take extra steps to protect your rig.

The only exception is if you have an RV that comes with a four season or all weather package option.

These RVs have been modified to be able to withstand colder temperatures with options like enclosed tanks, thicker insulation, double pane windows and more.

However, there is no set industry standard for what makes an RV all weather or four season.

Some are built better than others, which means there are some all weather RVs that are not actually able to withstand freezing temperatures.

Unless you really know what you’re getting, you might not know if your RV was able to survive a cold winter until it was too late.

So even if you have an RV with an all weather package, you still may need to take extra precautions to prevent your rig from freezing.

And if you are like the majority of RV owners and don’t have one made for cold weather, then you will definitely need to protect your RV.

What’s the best way to keep my RV from freezing?

There is nothing you can do for your rig that is more important than skirting it before a freeze hits.

Skirting an RV means using a material to seal off the undercarriage.

RV skirts are not something that typically comes with an RV, so it has to be purchased and installed at the discretion of the owner.

If you are undecided about making the leap to get your RV skirted, here are the most important reasons why it’s a wise investment for you:

1: RV Skirting will protect your pipes and tanks

Your RV’s plumbing is what is going to need the most protection in cold weather.

If your pipes are exposed to the elements and the temperature dips below freezing, they are in danger of freezing.

If there’s any water in them they may burst, as water will expand before it freezes solid.

If your pipes burst, it can be very expensive to fix depending on the extent of the damage.

It would also mean going without water until everything was fixed.

Skirting your RV is the best way to protect your pipes and tanks from freezing.

The main function of skirting is to separate the air column underneath your RV.

If you can seal off the air underneath your RV from the air outside, you can warm up the enclosed air and it won’t dissipate.

The easiest and best way to keep things warm inside the skirting enclosure is to have two temperature controlled heaters on either end facing each other (use the kind that has a tip sensor so that if it does fall over, it will automatically shut off).

Also, save some hassle and invest in temperature monitors, so you can always know what the temperature is underneath your RV without having to crawl underneath to check.

2: Stay warmer and more comfortable

It goes without saying, but if the underside of your RV is warmer, the inside will be warmer too.

By keeping that air column under the RV separated and warmer, you gain an extra layer of insulation under the rig.

It works on the same principle as double pane windows.

By separating the air and sealing it off, it creates an air pocket that stops the cold from being transferred.

Your RV stays warmer and so does your floor.

3: Save on propane

A nice byproduct of protecting your RV with skirting is that as your RV stays warmer easier, you will end up spending less on propane.

Most RVs run furnaces on propane and chances are that you or someone you know has spent a winter or two going through propane tanks like water just to stay warm.

Add up enough tanks over the winter and it can get expensive.

Installing skirting will cut that cost down. Add that up over years and it can be a significant savings.

4: You can still use your tanks

If you’ve ever had to carry your own water to your RV multiple times a day, you know how much of a hassle that can be.

Trudging through the snow, carrying heavy jugs of water is not how anyone wants to spend the winter.

If your RV’s undercarriage is kept warm enough then you won’t have to worry about your tanks freezing.

However, there are some alterations that you will need to do to still be able to use your pipes and tanks.

For your water line, you will need to use either a heated hose or apply heat tape and insulation to your current hose.

Your also need to heat and insulate the spigot and any water supply piping as well, as that can freeze too.

Your own water connection will need to be heated as well. If it’s on the exterior of the RV then it will need to be insulated and heated.

If you have a wet bay it will need protection as well.

Some RV’s have a warm air duct that goes into the wet bay, which may be all you need.

If you have no such feature, you may want to use a small temperature controlled heater to keep everything from freezing.

The last area that will need to be protected is your sewer line.

Change out your hose, which can become brittle if it gets cold enough, and purchase a PVC pipe.

Heat and insulate the pipe to keep everything moving, and only dump your tank when necessary.

Now you won’t have to worry about making treks through sleet and snow just to use the bathroom.

5: Extra storage

Storage is a premium for any RV full timer, and one of the side benefits of skirting is that you can now use the underbelly of your RV for storage.

If you have a 5th wheel and skirt the hitch area, you instantly create a large storage area that’s perfect for all your summer toys.

If you order the EZ Snap 5th Wheel Hitch enclosure with the zipper door option, getting access to your hitch area is super fast and easy.

6: Tire protection

Something that doesn’t get mentioned enough with RVs is how important it is to protect your tires.

One of the most common problems for RVs that don’t get moved very often is that it’s tires can get dry rot.

Dry rot is when the tires dry out and crack, making them unsafe.

One of the reasons dry out occurs is because there are compounds in the rubber that get released as the tire is used that keep it supple.

When a tire sits in one spot for an extended period of time and is exposed, it can dry out and reduce it’s lifespan significantly.

However, if a tire is covered and protected from UV and the elements, it can slow that process down.

Skirting your RV covers your tires and in the process will help extend their life.

What to use for RV skirting?

The good and bad news is that there are no shortage of RV skirting options available on the market.

This can mean spending a lot of time doing research online and still not know if you’ve picked the right kind of skirting.

And if you want to build your skirting yourself, there’s no real consensus on the best materials to use.

One of the most popular choices is plywood, as it’s fairly inexpensive and sturdy.

It has some drawbacks though.

It’s big and heavy, so it’s the kind of thing you would probably have to leave behind if you were to move your RV to another site.

Some RV campgrounds have rules against using plywood as skirting (as well as other materials, so always double check before committing to any skirting option).

Plywood also doesn’t flex and because it sits right up against the RV, it can scratch the exterior as the RV moves.

Two other common DIY RV Skirting options are hay bales and rigid insulation panels.

These can work depending on your situation, but they both have their flaws.

The hay bales are a serious fire hazard, can attract vermin and are only usable for one season.

Rigid insulation is like plywood in that it can be an effective solution, but because it’s so light it needs to be attached to a frame or it can easily blow away.

The practical solution for most RVers is to buy vinyl skirting.

It’s lightweight, adjustable and portable, so it can be rolled up and taken with you.

There are a lot of different RV vinyl skirting options to choose from.

There are companies that will build you a custom skirt. These are usually made on site, with the RV right there to make sure everything fits just the way it should.

The biggest drawback of these skirts is that they can be very expensive, running into the thousands of dollars.

Turnaround time is also slow, with bookings having to be made months in advance.

The option that offers the best in performance, portability and price is EZ Snap RV Skirting.

Using the RV Skirting calculator that’s on the site, you can quickly find out what size kit you need for your RV and how much it will cost.

The kits ship quickly, so there’s no need to panic if you weren’t prepared for an early winter.

It will fit any make, model or class of RV, Motorhome, Travel Trailer, Airstream and even tiny homes.

EZ Snap is made to be able to be installed by anyone, no matter your skill level.

Because you are doing the installation, you also save significantly on what it would cost for the labor for a custom skirt.

And once winter is over, all you have to do is unsnap it, roll it up and store it away for next year.

No matter which skirting option you choose, remember that it may seem like a large investment, but the cost and hassle of having broken pipes and tanks far outweighs the cost of skirting.

Source: 6 Reasons To Skirt Your RV This Winter