How to Prepare Yourself for a Camping Trip in the Snow

As a camper, it’s important to always be prepared, especially when camping during the winter months. While camping in sub-zero conditions can be exhilarating, it can quickly turn into a challenging experience. Although some trailers include a specialized winter package, most aren’t properly equipped to handle the cold. This doesn’t mean you can’t use your trailer to enjoy fresh powder and cooler temperatures! Here’s a list of things to do to prepare yourself and your trailer for a memorable winter camping trip.

1. Park your trailer in a sunny spot

By parking your trailer in a sunny spot, you’re allowing the natural warm sunlight to come in and heat up your trailer throughout the day.

2. Pack extra curtains and rugs

A lot of cold air comes through windows and by doubling up on the curtains, it could keep the cold at bay and prevent heat from escaping through the windows. Using extra rugs along the floors help keep your feet warmer and also help insulate the floors a little bit to keep the coolness to a minimum.

3. Use a Gekko Popout Cover!

Gekko Popout Covers are specially designed to keep the heat in and the cold out out of your hybrid trailers by blocking any wind and chills from entering through the tent canvas. The black side of these covers will also absorb sunlight during daylight hours, so your trailer is naturally heated.

4. Buy a dehumidifier to keep the interior dry

Not only does humidity amplify the cold, it can also cause mold to grow in the heat. If the interior of your trailer is damp, blasting the heat will cause excessive condensation, which can lead to molding along the roof and tops of the walls. Dehumidifiers can be found on our online store.

5. Plastic wrap your screen door

To create an extra barrier against the wind and cold, insulate your door by wrapping it with plastic. Plastic is a great way to keep the cold out while preventing heat from escaping through the cracks.

6. Bring some electric blankets with you

If electricity isn’t an issue, consider bringing some electric blankets on your trip to save your propane at night. If electricity is not available, always ensure to have extra blankets on hand in case you run out of propane and heat.

7. It’s not a bad idea to leave the vents open

To prevent excess moisture gathering inside your trailer on the cold days, leaving at least one roof vent slightly open all the time is a good way to ensure fresh air is coming in

8. Save your pipes by leaving the water tap slightly open

While this will fill your grey water tank quicker, this will prevent water from freezing inside the pipes and potentially causing damage. If your pipes do freeze, use a hot air gun or a hair dryer to thaw them out. Always keep a gallon or two of drinking water with you, plus a separate supply to flush the toilet, just in case.

9. Use antifreeze

To prevent your grey and black water tanks from freezing, pour some antifreeze into the tanks

10. Consider skirting your trailer

If you’re going to be staying in one place for a longer period of time, building a skirt for your trailer is an excellent way to winterize it. This can be made using fabric, vinyl, wood, or even metal sheets, and Styrofoam. Not only will skirting help keep your floors warming, it’ll also lessen the chances of your grey and black water tanks from freezing.

11. Replace your sewer hose

Sewer hoses were not made for Canadian winters. Replacing yours with a 3” car heater blower hose or a 3” PVC solid sewer pipe could save you some trouble when the icy weather hits. You can also insulate your pipe with strips of 15” wide fiberglass batting and cover it with poly sheets.

12. Consider getting a third propane tank

To supplement your regular tanks, consider buying a 100 lbs propane tank. Also, using cardboard, a small tarp, or even plastic bags will help shield your propane regulator and prevent it from freezing

13. Check your windows and doors

It’s never a bad idea to double check the seals along your windows and doors to address any issues of silicone cracking or damage, which can enable cold air to enter and heat to escape.

Don’t forget to go outside and have fun! Staying active is the best way to stay warm in the chilly weather while enjoying the season.