You’re probably wondering “Why would anyone want to go winter RVing in Canada?” The truth is, not everyone flies south when temperatures drop. A few hearty RV travelers know that winter RVing is one of the best ways to enjoy spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and landmarks that aren’t crowded with tourists. But for RVers like me who are willing to go camping in the cold, there’s nothing like enjoying the warmth of our rolling homes after a long day snow machining, skiing, or ice fishing.
However, be warned: if you decide to try cold weather camping, you should know that in Canada winter can be miserable and even deadly if you aren’t properly prepared and well-equipped. To help you have a great cold-weather RVing experience, I curated 20 of the top winter RVing tips from some of Canada’s expert winter RVers. Here is what they told me:
RVer’s Top 20 Tips to Enjoy Winter RVing in Canada
Making the most of cold-weather camping starts from the time you decide to give it a try. From planning your winter RVing route to what to cook in the RV oven, here’s how to form a good plan for a great time.
Trip planning: how to make a fail-safe itinerary
If you don’t like sub-zero temperatures, head West where temperatures are milder. Vancouver Island, BC and the smaller Gulf Islands along it’s coast have much kinder winter weather than the rest of BC. There is wildlife and beautiful scenery everywhere you look on Vancouver Island. Mule Deer, Roosevelt elk, bald eagles, marine mammals, wolves, cougars and black bears all make their home on Vancouver Island.
When you want to take advantage of favorable snowy conditions, consider heading to Whistler, a winter wonderland offering stunning alpine landscapes and lots of snow for your favorite winter pursuits. Whistler RV Park and Campground is one of the best options for winter mountain camping in BC.
Winter RVing is a bit different from summer RVing but still gives you a great experience of all that Whistler has to offer at a low cost and just far enough away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy being out in nature and seeing all the stars at night.
Winter RVing at Whistler RV Park and Campground
Check the weather forecast before you leave. Most (but not all) of our experts agreed that RV camping when it’s less than -4 degrees Fahrenheit will bring more misery than happiness. RVs do not do well in sub-zero temperatures either.
Double-check driving conditions before you go. Be aware that road conditions can change in a heartbeat in a Canadian winter, so re-check those road conditions an hour or so before you depart.
Let other people know about your route. Don’t head out without informing friends and family where you are going, and how long you plan to be there. If you’re using RV LIFE Trip Wizard, send them a link to your itinerary.
The RV: Is your rig prepared for cold-weather camping?
Your RV needs special preparation for winter conditions. Use snow tires and carry tire chains if you are going to the mountains. All-season tires aren’t recommended for the snow and ice that are part of Canadian winters. Snow tires and tire chains for RVs are mandatory on most highways after October 1st.
If you are adventurous enough to drive your RV on the Alaska Highway in winter, carry extra fuel. Many service stations are closed in winter.
Bring enough food, bedding, clothing and propane to last up to a week in case you get stranded.
Test your engine block heater, which will keep your engine running smoothly when it gets to about 5-degrees Fahrenheit. If you drive a diesel-powered rig you’ll need to plug in when it hits about 10-degrees.
Carry an extra indoor-safe propane heater and extra propane cannisters. Be prepared to stay warm without electricity in case power goes out during a storm.
Propane freezes at -44 degrees. Insulate your propane tanks and use 40-watt light to keep them operational.
Use heat tape on all exposed pipes and tank heaters on tanks. Carry extra water and place the containers inside the warmest area of your RV, just in case your plumbing freezes.
Drain and insulate the exterior shower.
Insulate your windows and doors. You can either use a window insulation kit to shrink wrap your windows. or use Reflictix insulation. It’s a silver, insulated bubble wrap that can be cut to fit your RV windows and taped into place with painters tape.
At the campsite: staying warm and having fun
Park your RV in the sun whenever possible. You’ll be amazed at how much a good winter sun can heat up your RV.
Place support boards under your RV tires. These boards will prevent your RV tires from ‘sinking’ if the ground thaws.
Prep your RV bedding. An electric blanket under your bed sheets will help to keep you cozy at night. Fleece bed sheets will keep you toasty warm. And let the dog(s) on the bed to stay really warm!
Use an indoor-safe RV heater to boost your heating power.
Dress in layers. Each layer will hold a layer of warm air, and will help to keep you warm. Merino wool long underwear is a good base layer for cold temperatures. Avoid cotton fabric. It gets damp and won’t keep you warm when temperatures are below freezing. Mittens will keep your hands warmer than gloves, and insulated boots are a must. Get a bulk package of disposable hand and foot warmers. These items are also indispensable for cold weather RV camping.
Talk to RVers in Canada for more tips, and get ready to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Canadian winter RVing. Some of the country’s best parks and destinations are quiet and usually unoccupied this time of year, so make the most of it!
Kenneth Ryan says
There are a couple of rather serious errors in this article:
1. The engine block heater is not used to prevent the engine from freezing. That is the job of the anti-freeze that is added to the engine coolant. The primary function of the block heater is to keep the oil warm enough so that it will circulate and lubricate the engine when it starts. Also, by keeping the engine somewhat warmer, tolerances between the moving parts are kept wider, allowing the engine to crank.
2. Propane does not freeze at -5 degrees. The freezing point of propane is -306 degrees farenheit. Propane functions well down to about -30 degrees, when it starts to lose its ability to vaporize. By the time it gets to -44F propane will no longer vaporize and it becomes useless as a heat source.
Rene Agredano says
Great point about the engine block heater, Kenneth. Thank you for the precise description of how it works.
Grizzly Valley Bear says
If you are travelling to the Yukon Territory keep this in mind.
Most gas stations that supply propane stop pumping propane below -30c. I’ve also been turned away at -25c.
Temps during the day aren’t too bad usually but can really drop hard to -30c to -50c at night.
Between October and May be prepared for cold temps. In the “summer” we have periods when temps can be in the single digit temps. So keep your propane tanks topped up. Keep a pair of warm clothes when travelling up here.
If you come prepared you will absolutely love it up here.
Bonus, no mosquitoes after mid August up here, but black flies do take over in the bush.
Have a great camping season.
Doug Stirling says
Propane doesn’t actually freeze at -4. It stops becoming gaseous at -44°f (-42°c) its boiling point.
Freezing is the change in state from liquid to solid which for propane is at -306°f (-188°c)
Thomas Wallis says
Propane stops flowing at -40 F but does not freeze.
Rene Agredano says
Noted and corrected, thank you.
Charles Freeman says
You also have to contend with inside the RV humidity from breathing, cooking, and warm bodies. Condensation is not good for the RV walls, ceilings, and carpet.