Forum Discussion

lpranger467's avatar
lpranger467
Explorer
Dec 08, 2021

winter camping advice

Hello, We need to use a camper in northern Michigan over this winter while we build our home. We are trying to buy an "artic" version and likely wont use the water lines (I'll have jugs of water for flushing the toilet).

Will the onboard furnace be enough to warm the eunit in most cases in winter ? I'm very hesitant to leave my wife/cats alone in the trailer out of fear of a fire. I was wondering if electric baseboard heaters would work as well.

Any advice, experieces would be welcome

48 Replies

  • MFL wrote:
    Living is most RVs, in Winter, in northern Michigan, is probably not the best plan. While you may keep warm, with a specialized edition RV, sweat/moisture will be a problem too. I'd consider an apartment, to be a better choice.

    Jerry

    THIS! ^^^^^^^^
  • We have had to stay in sub zero because one of our slides would not come in so we were trapped until a repair crew came in days later. Bottom line.... we never were warm always the furnace would run constantly. Not a good plan for a few days much less months........ get a motel room on a deal in your touristy area in the winter you can get a deal.
  • There is a reason that RV parks and CGs close in the winter. The same reason is why RV owners winterize their rigs.

    Be realistic and rent an apartment.
  • And be wary of 'arctic' versions of most RV brands. There are very very few models that are really heavily insulated and have other winter condition changes that allow them to be really arctic versions. And those are heavy and expensive.
    One is Northwood's Arctic Fox models and there are a few others. And I doubt even those will deal with months of subfreezing temps all that well.
  • I think baseboard heaters - especially with pets - would be a greater fire hazard than your Rv's furnace. LP usage will be your Achille's heel. Rv's are poorly insulated and exposed on all sides so the furnace will run a lot - despite an "arctic version". Without water, what will you do for showers, dishes, etc? Will you have hookups to dump the tanks? You are going to have to lug a lot jugs of water to continually flush your toilets and what will keep your grey and possibly black tanks from freezing? You may want to re-think your plan given your location. Your plan is easy if you live where I do. Northern MI - maybe not so much.
  • Living is most RVs, in Winter, in northern Michigan, is probably not the best plan. While you may keep warm, with a specialized edition RV, sweat/moisture will be a problem too. I'd consider an apartment, to be a better choice.

    Jerry

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,151 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 25, 2025