Top 10 Benefits of RVing In Winter

Above, Red Rock Park Campground in 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The only times I camped in the motorhome in winter were when I first moved to New Mexico from California and lived in it while it was parked in my driveway until the movers brought my belongings (about 11 days later) and at Red Rock Park Campground near Gallup for the 2018 Red Rock Balloon Rally. It snowed overnight while I was there.

Admittedly, winter camping isn't my cup of tea, but there are some benefits for others who might enjoy it.

RV Travel posted about them in today's Newsletter.

It begins with:

Are you tired of the same old winter routine? Stuck indoors, battling the cold, and missing out on the beauty of the season? It might be time to consider a winter adventure in your RV. RVing in the winter can be an incredible experience filled with many benefits. From picturesque snowscapes to cozy campfires, there’s so much to love about braving the cold in an RV. Here are the top ten reasons why you should consider hitting the road during the winter months.

To read the full article, go here. 

RVs and Hot-Air Balloon Festivals

Above, the Red Rock Balloon Rally near Gallup, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who like to travel in their RVs and experience different events, RV Life has posted an article on hot-air balloon festivals that people can attend with their recreational vehicles.

In New Mexico, the two most prominent ones are the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival and the Red Rock Balloon Rally (near Gallup). I have attended the Red Rock Balloon Rally twice as it is only ten miles away (as the crow flies) from home. The ascension area is right next to a campground with hook-ups.

There are others that merit a visit and RV Life has listed the 10 most amazing ones.

They begin with:

At this point, our family has visited a lot of places and attended a lot of events. One of our favorite things we’ve ever visited as full-time RVers? The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! This event is absolutely magical and we will never forget the feeling of waking up to hot-air balloons flying directly overhead during this most amazing of hot-air balloon festivals.

We loved this experience so much that I have started making a list of balloon festivals to attend around the country. Here are my top picks as of right now. They are listed in chronological order through the next calendar year, so plan your ultimate balloon festival trip with RV Trip Wizard today! 

To read more, go here. 

RV Dump Station Etiquette

Above, Malibu Creek State Park's dump station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As far as I can remember, there was only one time I had to wait an inordinate amount of time for a fellow to finish emptying his RV holding tanks at a dump station. He sure took his sweet time. I felt like using Rodney Dangerfield's line from Caddyshack, "Let's go while we're young!"

Normally, I empty mine at my campsite's sewer portal. But if I went dry camping with no hook-ups or dump station available, I would go to Malibu Creek State Park (when I lived in L.A.) or to Red Rock Park Campground and use theirs. They would charge a small ($5-10) fee.

RV Travel has posted an article on how long should it take for someone to empty his/her holding tanks at a dump station and proper etiquette for using one.

It begins with:

Someone recently asked: “How long is too long when others are waiting behind you at the dump station?”

This caused me to ponder an appropriate answer. How long is too long to occupy a dump station when others are patiently waiting?

“If you’re doing everything properly, you can get the job done in less than 15 minutes without even making a mess.” Says RV blogger Jessica Lipscomb.

I prefer to disperse camp (aka boondock) versus camp in developed campgrounds or RV parks that feature full hookups with sewer. Therefore, I am dependent on public dump stations along my route to dump my holding tanks. If potable freshwater is available, too, I will also refill my freshwater tank while I am there. I am never sure where the next opportunity to do so might present itself.

To read more, go here. 

RV Cold Weather Safety Tips

Above, at Red Rock Park Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have camped in cold, snowy weather only a few times. The first was at Crystal Lake, California in the San Bernardino mountains in a tent trailer.

Then, I was staying in my Class C motorhome when I moved to New Mexico while waiting for the movers to deliver my belongings and furniture for around 11 days. It snowed several times during that period.

I also camped at Red Rock Park Campground during the Red Rock Balloon Festival and it snowed overnight. Needless to say, the balloons did not launch, but I still had fun.

Thankfully, I saved my propane by using an electric ceramic space heater instead of the motorhome's propane heater as I had electrical hookups each time I camped in snowy weather.

Do It Yourself RV has an article with cold weather safety tips that every RVer should know.

They begin it with:

Understanding cold weather safety is crucial, even if winter camping isn’t in your plans. Weather conditions can shift swiftly and without warning, especially in mountainous areas or during the transitional seasons of spring and fall. Every RVer should be equipped with knowledge on staying safe and warm as temperatures fall.

While our article Winter RVing Tips From Experienced RVers offers insights on maintaining warmth in your RV, here we’ll delve into essential cold weather safety tips, ensuring your camping adventures remain both exhilarating and safe, regardless of the chill.

To read more, go here. 

Staying Warm In An RV Without Electricity

Above, at Red Rock Park Campground near Gallup, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Only one time I had a problem in keeping warm in my motorhome. That was during an overnight stay at Joshua Tree National Park. I was dry camping with no hookups.

The night got frigid cold and I ran my motorhome's propane heater. That was actually the first time I used it. 

I had plenty of propane, but little did I know, it drew a lot of electricity from the battery and ran it completely down by morning. 

RV Life has an article on how to stay warm in case the RV park's electrical system should suffer a power outage. 

They begin it with:

Spending the winter in your camper can be fun, but you should always be prepared to endure cold weather.

Sure, RV walls offer protection from wind and snow. But drafts and poor insulation can make your vehicle quite chilly. You can run the heater, but unexpected power outages can force you to shut it down. Winter can be dangerous if you’re not properly prepared.

Don’t be a victim of a winter campground power outage. This article explains:

To read more, go here. 

How To Thaw A Frozen RV Tank

Above, Red Rock Park Campground near Gallup, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

How do you thaw a frozen RV holding tank?

Fortunately for me, I've never had a freezing tank problem as I constantly check the weather and temperatures whenever I do some winter camping and flip on the holding tank heaters and take other measures.

But, should they become frozen, RV Life has an article on how to thaw them out. 

They begin with:

Most RVs can withstand some chilly weather, but once the temperature dips below freezing, you can run into some problems. If your holding tanks, hookups, or pipes end up freezing, this has the potential to cause some serious damage to your RV. This is why everyone needs to know how to thaw a frozen RV tank safely. 

Holding tanks are one of the most exposed parts of an RV, and they can take a long time to thaw naturally. If they’re out of commission, you may have a hard time getting running water in your RV, which is a pain in the neck for everyone.

There are ways to speed up the thawing process and prevent freezes from happening in the first place. We’ll cover some of the best options below. 

 To read more, go here.

Preparing For Winter Camping

Above, The Beast at Red Rock Park Campground after a snow storm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Four years ago, I was camping at Goulding's Lodge Campground near Monument Valley when the nighttime temperatures got down into the 20s.

This presented no problems for me as I have holding tank heaters. But one night, I forgot to detach the fresh water hose, drain it and shut off the water spigot.

The next morning, the water hose was like a snake with rigor mortis. It was frozen stiff inside. I had to thaw the ice inside by holding the hose over hot coals in the campsite's barbecue. That did the trick.

RV Life has five tips on preparing for winter camping.

They begin it with:

Proper preparation and gear are essential to avoid winter camping problems. Let’s look at five winter camping challenges and how to avoid them.

 To read them, go here.