If you are planning to use your RV from time to time during the winter months, and you want to protect the roof and related fittings from UV and the possibility of leaks or damage from snow and ice, the ADCO Roof Cover is an excellent choice. This item installs in about 15 minutes, and is designed for all climates – so you can use it when you are storing the RV during the winter or during the warmer months, and it will significantly reduce premature aging of the roof materials and sealants. The 
It is easily installed into the existing 14” x 14” skylight vent on the roof of an RV, so there is no need to cut new holes in the vehicle. The Carafan Sahara was designed by caravan enthusiasts, for installation in all types of RVs. With a low profile external structure, the Carafan Sahara will not be knocked off while travelling in rugged terrain. The unit is designed with strong aluminum components to ensure that no damage could occur to the RV.
In 2018, one of these mining companies came to Lyons Airconditioning to create a solution for their remote caravan. The mining company’s geologists complained about the amount of dust entering their caravan while they were working in the red dusty area of the Pilbara in Western Australia. Due to the remote nature of the work being carried out, a standard pressurizer could not be fitted due to the possibility of it being knocked off in this rugged bushland, so the Lyons Airconditioning engineering team worked on a low profile, light weight unit which could pressurize the 24-foot caravan. This is how the Carafan Sahara was created.
Come celebrate our 26th Anniversary with us, June 23-26, 2023!
In this post, we’re going to cover two of the most common questions we see about RV’ing in colder temperatures:
- What is a four-seasons RV?
- What are some steps I can take to prepare my RV for the winter?
What exactly is a 4 Seasons RV?
A quick online search reveals that these are campers designed to withstand the extreme heat and cold offered from more severe climates. The typical campers you see are truck campers, motorhomes or trailers that can withstand high levels of heat and cold.
In a four-seasons RV you can expect:
- Extra insulation
- Vents in the roof to release moisture
- Enclosed underbelly
- Heat/vents in the storage areas
- Enclosed water connections
There is a word of caution: beware of what the RV manufacturer says about their RVs. Not all RVs are built for full-time living – let alone extreme weather conditions.
Sometimes, the only difference between a normal RV and a “four-seasons RV” is the premium price. Take the time to do some research outside of what you get from the manufacturer. You’ll want to consider where you want to take your RV and how you will use it. Answering these questions will help you determine the specific features, environmental stress, the amount of space and amenities your RV needs to keep you and your family comfortable.
RV Winterization Tips from Around the Web
There are plenty of ways you can protect your RV during the winter months. Suggestions online range from lining your cabinets with foam board and insulation to insulated/black-out curtains. The most important tip we have found online is that you want to make sure your hoses are heated/insulated.
If you’re living in a climate where liquid could freeze in the amount of time it’s in the hose, you’re going to want to keep the hose insulated. It doesn’t hurt to consider this a “best practice”, even in a climate like North Carolina. Even in milder climates, you should expect cold snaps! Frozen water lines are an incredible inconvenience!
Another online tip is to keep extra heat sources on hand. This could be as simple as a heated blanket, or small electric heater. Another word of caution is to research the electrical heater you are thinking about purchasing. You want to make sure that the heater will work well in an RV. You want to make sure that your RV is well ventilated and that the heater is meant for small spaces.
Reducing heat loss in your RV is HUGE. The #1 recommendation we have seen is to skirt your RV. You can buy these skirts online for a couple hundred bucks, or (if you’re crafty) you can fashion one of your own.
Our recommendation is to also invest in your seals.
I will shout it from the roof tops – invest in your seals!
Weatherstripping is crucial for keeping the warm air in, and cold air out! These seals are your first defence against bugs, vermin, mold, dust, grime, etc. You might not think about your seals all that often, but a quick check around the RV to ensure your seals are still good is a pro move.
Where to concentrate sealing efforts?
- Windows
- Doors
- Ceiling vents
- Slide outs
RV windows are one of the major culprits for heat loss. RV windows are usually single-pane, which means they are made with a single layer of glass. These windows come in all of the same styles and materials that double-pane windows do, but they are not as efficient at keeping out noise or change in temperature.
To check your RV windows, feel around the diameter of your window for a draft. Once you’ve checked the inside seal, check the windows from the outside to look for cracks or splitting. Make sure that there is a tight fit between the seal and the glass.
You can check your access doors the same way. Another handy test for checking the seal on RV access and compartment doors is what we call the “dollar bill test”. Just as the name describes, you will need to shut a dollar bill in your door. Once the door is shut, tug at the dollar bill. If the bill is held securely in place, then your door seals are good. If the bill slides right out, you will want to replace them. Try this test in a couple of different places on the door to ensure overall quality. Lastly, give the seals a once over, looking for cracks, splits and places where the adhesive may be coming off. If your seal is a push-on type seal, make sure that it is secured.
Keep your RV ventilated properly. Doing so keeps the moisture at bay. A handy online tip is to use vent covers to help keep moisture down. Dehumidifiers are awesome for drawing out moisture, just realize it takes everything out of the air and you want to stay ventilated for good RV living health.
For slide-outs, make sure that the seals are working properly. The wipers can get twisted and caught when the slide out moves, leaving small gaps that can potentially create a draft. If you are living in your RV, you will want to check the seals inside and out to ensure there isn’t a draft. Make sure your seals are sitting correctly while the slide is out. Check underneath the slide as well.
If you are preparing your RV for storage, you will want to check all the same places, but remember to clean off the top of your slide before retracting it. Sticks, leaves and other debris can tear your seals.
On the note of maintaining your RV slide-out seals – avoid using any chemicals, conditioners or sealers on your slide seals (especially slide seals). These chemicals have the potential to deteriorate your seals.
Final Thoughts
Now that you are equipped with RV winterization knowledge, you’re ready to tackle these colder climates. Have any more tips? Leave us a comment!
While you’re here, tell us about your favourite winter camping spot!
If you need help finding the right weatherstrip for your project, or need help installing a part, assistance is available with one of our Product Specialists over the phone (800-230-6752) and on Live Chat.
Here’s one of our Steele Rubber D-I-Y YouTube videos to give you an idea of how easy it is to replace your slide out seals:
Look for Steele Rubber on your favourite social media platforms: Facebook, Instagramand Pinterest.
The SŌL – Powered By The Sun system is simple to expand, allowing dealers and customers to increase solar capability and adapt components to customize their solar package. Solar packages are available to purchase through Heartland’s customer service and parts department. Heartland’s goal is to allow campers to adapt components to their solar needs both in the present day and for years to come.
Solar power can help reduce energy costs, provide clean and renewable energy, and offer flexibility in travel. It’s also quiet and requires minimal upkeep, which makes the upfront costs an investment in years of low-maintenance use.
An inverter is what RVs use to change twelve-volt battery power into 110 volts, so you can run things like your microwave without being plugged into the campsite’s power grid. There are two types of inverters and many different sizes. I recommend we have a conversation to determine the right size for your needs.
More and more RV’ers are considering adding solar power to their rigs for the convenience of having power to camp outside of any power grid.
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Products sold by your local RV parts stores are the only products you should be using. Products like Dicor, Sikaflex, Chemtron, or Geocels Proflex, are a few of the types of sealant that are approved by the manufacturer of your roof membrane. Talk to your local RV parts representative and they can hook you up with the right materials.
Clean the old sealant off with a plastic scraper so you don’t damage the siding and apply the new sealant. Sometimes on older units, you may need to remove a window, compartment or moldings etc., and clean off the old dried out putty and replace it with a fresh layer to make a proper repair. Be mindful as well, the sides of your RV tend to flex, stretch and twist as you drive down the highway, this can cause older sealant to break away from the windows etc. The older silicone can look ok, but without a proper inspection, you may miss seeing some damage.
Thankfully, Garnet has developed the SeeLeveL II tank monitoring system. Working with external senders and a display, and installation is easy.
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There are basically two sewage tanks in your RV, a black tank (toilet waste) and a grey tank (shower & sink waste). The toilet waste is really the only one that most of us hate dealing with. The first thing you want to do is add a reliable toilet chemical to the tank via the toilet bowl along with approximately a couple gallons of water to get it ready. There are so many types of chemicals out there and almost every department store now sells them. 
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We have recently installed a SureCall booster in our Jeep Liberty that we tow behind our motorhome, and a Winegard 4LTE WiFi booster on the roof of our motorhome. The Fusion2Go 3.0 cellphone booster from SureCall can amplify incoming voice and 4G data signal from the tower and boost the power of the signal sent out by your phone. The outside antenna sends the signal to the booster which amplifies the weak signal from the tower and an inside patch antenna picks up the signal from your phone and rebroadcasts a stronger signal. SureCall Fusion2Go 3.0 is the newest generation to a line of in-vehicle signal boosters that has kept drivers and riders connected in areas with critically low cellular signal strength. This cell phone signal booster kit is purpose-built for mobile users who often find themselves on the edge of their cellular network.
Amplifier unit to be placed in vehicle has a small footprint and automatically adjusts gain control. It provides maximum gain and maximum power possible within FCC limits. It has the next generation four inches high-gain exterior antenna that has a very strong magnet base which can hold antenna in place despite harsh environmental conditions such as bad weather including high winds.
The Winegard ConnecT 4LTE WiFi booster is designed to be mounted on the roof of the motorhome or trailer for better line of sight. Now you can easily access devices in and around your RV with secure rebroadcasted WiFi and 4G LTE signals more powerful than a smartphone. You will be ale to stay connected with improved speeds in remote locations where WiFi or cellular options are nonexistent or very weak. You can keep your mobile devices, media players, and computers connected to WiFi with a reliable connection and expanded coverage. When WiFi service is not available, the Winegard ConnecT can access the 4LTE cellular network to make your connections.The ConnecT links to nationwide 4G LTE networks for reliable, uninterrupted, in-motion and stationary coverage while traveling and offers the capability to swap SIM cards to add to new or existing data plans from other carriers!
