Category: Fall RV Camping

Cold Weather RVing: Tips and Benefits

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Camping in an RV during colder months is entirely possible, though it does require more planning and preparation. While there are challenges, cold weather RVing also offers unique opportunities that summer camping can’t match. Let’s explore how you can enjoy the RV lifestyle all year round! One of the best places to RV into the fall is Headquarters RV Park located in Crane Lake Minnesota.

Essential Cold Weather RV Camping Tips

Check Your Tires
Before hitting the road for your winter adventure, perform routine checks to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. Pay special attention to tire pressure, as tires can lose about 2 PSI for every 10°F drop in temperature. This loss can significantly affect your driving safety.

Insulate Against the Cold
To prepare your RV for winter, focus on blocking as much cold air as possible, starting with the underbelly, which is most exposed. Look for any exposed pipes or openings and consider adding skirting to protect your RV. You can purchase custom skirting or make your own using foam board, which is both cost-effective and easy to work with. If your RV is stationary, stacking straw bales around it can create a windbreak, but be cautious as straw can attract rodents seeking warmth. Use brass wool to seal small openings to deter mice.

Enhance Insulation and Weather Stripping
Most RVs come with minimal insulation, which can be problematic in the cold weather. To combat drafts, apply spray foam insulation to the walls and use weather stripping on windows and doors. Keep curtains closed to further insulate. However, be aware that sealing your RV can trap moisture. Cooking and showering can introduce humidity, so consider using a dehumidifier or moisture-absorbing products.

Protect Your Plumbing
Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Wrap heat tape around water lines to prevent freezing, and keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air circulation. If you have city water access, use a heated freshwater hose to avoid frozen pipes. For freshwater tanks, consider adding a heating source, such as an incandescent light bulb (ensure it doesn’t touch any materials). Adding RV antifreeze to your grey and black tanks (not freshwater) is also a smart move. Draining your water system is also a way to avoid freezing issues.

Staying Warm in Your RV

Ensure all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functioning with fresh batteries, and keep your propane tanks filled. If you plan to boondock, invest in an inverter and ensure you have multiple fully charged batteries. A backup generator is also a good idea, especially if you might lose power during colder months.

There are also simple ways to stay warm. Baking treats like cookies or cinnamon rolls can provide both heat and a delicious aroma in your RV. Electric blankets and extra layers of bedding will help you stay cozy at night, and a floor rug can add warmth to chilly mornings.

The Advantages of Cold Weather RVing

Fall camping in Crane Lake at Headquarters RV Park has several unique benefits if your RV is well-prepared:

  • Less Crowded Campgrounds: RV parks are less busy in winter
  • No Bugs: Enjoy bug-free camping without needing to pack insect repellent.
  • Allergy Relief: Fall camping can alleviate seasonal allergies due to lower pollen levels.
  • Fall Activities: Engage in activities like fishing, ATVing, Hunting or simply a nice fall time hike.

There’s something magical about sitting by a campfire in the cold. Ensure you have plenty of dry firewood and keep extra lighters or fire starters handy.

Fall RVing can be a fun and memorable experience, but it requires extra planning. Embrace the chilly adventure and create lasting memories that summer trips may not offer.

Now, let’s hit the road and bundle up! Call Headquarters RV Park located in Crane Lake MN, you will not regret it.

Essential Items For Your Next RV Adventure

Crane Lake MN RV

Traveling the country in a camping trailer is a fantastic way to explore new places while keeping the comforts of home close by. An RV allows you to bring your wardrobe, your pets, and all the essentials you need on your journey. If you’re a first-time RV owner, you might be wondering what essentials you should pack. Here’s a guide to help you prepare for your RV camping adventure.

Essential Items for RV Camping

While some items may vary depending on your preferences, the following are must-haves for any RV trip:

  1. Extra Portable Water
    • Always carry a supply of drinking water, even if you plan to stay at camping resorts with utility hookups. This ensures you’re prepared in case of an emergency or an unexpected delay.
  2. Portable Water Hose
    • Invest in a certified portable RV water hose to avoid any unwanted flavors or odors in your freshwater supply. It’s essential for filling your tank and connecting to campsite water sources.
  3. Sewer Hose and Hose Supports
    • Proper equipment for emptying your RV’s wastewater tanks is crucial. A sturdy sewer hose is a must, and if you plan to use sewer hookups, hose supports will help maintain flow and prevent disconnections.
  4. Leveling Blocks
    • Unless your RV has an automatic leveling system, leveling blocks are essential. They help you avoid sleeping on a slant and make cooking easier by ensuring your RV is level.
  5. RV-Friendly Toilet Paper
    • Regular toilet paper can clog your RV’s delicate sewer system, leading to messy and costly repairs. Always use RV-friendly toilet paper designed to break down more easily.
  6. RV Toilet Chemicals
    • These chemicals help break down solid waste and minimize odors in your blackwater holding tank, making your bathroom experience more pleasant.
  7. Generic RV Emergency Kit
    • A well-stocked emergency kit is vital for any unexpected situations. This should include basic medical supplies, tools, and other essentials to handle common RV issues.

Additional Items for Comfort

Beyond the essentials, here are some items that can enhance your RV camping experience:

  1. Foam Mattress Topper
    • A good night’s sleep is crucial, and a foam mattress topper can make your RV bed much more comfortable, ensuring you wake up rested and ready for adventure.
  2. Collapsible Ladder
    • Whether for maintenance or accessing rooftop storage, a collapsible ladder is a handy tool to keep in your RV.
  3. Pressure Cooker (or Instant Pot)
    • Many RVers swear by their Instant Pots for easy, versatile cooking. It allows you to prepare a variety of meals with minimal equipment and space.
  4. Nesting Cookware
    • Space is at a premium in an RV, so smart nesting cookware sets are a great investment. They save space and ensure you have all the necessary tools for cooking delicious meals on the road.

Conclusion

With the right preparation, your RV camping trip can be a comfortable and stress-free experience. By packing these essential and extra items, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy your travels without any last-minute surprises.

When you’re fully prepared, you can focus on relaxing and making the most of your adventure. Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you at Headquarters RV Park located in Crane Lake, MN the gateway to Voyageurs National Park.

Fall Season RV Camping

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rv campingCamping in the fall is one of the most beautiful times to be outdoors. The changing colors of autumn leaves make for some of the most breathtaking photographic backgrounds. Fall camping can still be a lot of fun if you’re properly prepared for the weather.

Here are a few suggestions to help you make fall camping an annual tradition:

Observe the weather:

Today, it is simple to predict the weather a week in advance. Fall camping trips can be planned with short notice, as campsites are rarely occupied during this season. Check the forecasts for the rv parks you intend to visit prior to your trip, as autumn weather can change rapidly. Remember that warm weather can quickly change in the fall. During your camping trip, you should always be prepared for the possibility of snow, rain, or other severe weather, depending on your destination.

Make sure your RV is prepared for fall camping:

Preparing your RV for camping in the fall is an often-overlooked fall camping tip.

If you are anything like us, you initially considered all the impacts on you (clothes, heat, the best spots for leaf-peeping), but you may not consider the technical side. We have already mentioned that heat is a significant factor when RV camping in the fall. Once you have figured out how to heat your RV, there are a few other fall camping tips to consider. Ensure that your RV’s seals are in excellent condition and that cold air cannot enter.

Bringing caulk along is also a good idea (even when not camping in the fall) Utilize additional drapes, rugs, blankets, and other cozy accessories to increase interior warmth. Fall temperatures can fall below freezing in some instances (it happened once or twice for us). Make sure you know how to disconnect the water and water hoses to prevent frozen pipes!

Bring a sleeping bag for cold weather:

Nighttime camping temperatures will be drastically different than in the summer. And nothing ruins a camping trip faster than a night spent shivering in the cold and unable to sleep. Warmth is best maintained with mummy sleeping bags because they hug the body more closely. The majority of them feature a hood that encircles the head to trap heat that would otherwise escape. If your sleeping bag does not have a hood, wearing a hat while you sleep will prevent heat from escaping your head.

Good attire:

It is important to pack layerable clothing during the fall. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to pack a few extra sleeping bags or blankets for nighttime warmth in your RV. It’s easy to become dehydrated in cooler, drier conditions, so make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can also heat the water at night and sleep with it in a bottle (warm drinks before bed can also help). And finally, pack a few extra light sources, such as headlamps or portable lanterns, because you will lose sunlight faster in the fall.

Soak up the splendor of autumn.

No matter where or how you camp in the fall, the experience is unforgettable. The landscape is drastically different than in the summertime.

Moreover, cooler weather means fewer insects. I feel as though we should have spent less time swatting mosquitoes and more time enjoying the aroma of apple cider warming over a campfire. There are numerous reasons why you should consider an autumn camping trip, but we’ll sum them up by saying “you won’t regret it.”