Winter camping

I don't know why it would. It may just not work as hard. Go for it.

Welcome to Rv'ing and welcome to the forum. I may not be as much help as someone from a colder state, but I can tell you we love winter camping and do it every year. I wouldn't be too worried about your fridge but you will of course have to worry about your other systems that need to be winterized.

Just keep an eye on it. If the temps inside get too cold, the thermostat will sense it, and let the temp in the freezer compartment go up. If it is colder in the rig than about 35 degrees, it my happen.

Here is what will happen. If it gets cold enough long enough anything left in the refrigerator will freeze unless you leave the heat on.

Johno02 wrote:
Just keep an eye on it. If the temps inside get too cold, the thermostat will sense it, and let the temp in the freezer compartment go up. If it is colder in the rig than about 35 degrees, it my happen.

That's what happens to mine. When the inside temp drops into the 40s, the freezer quits working and everything melts because it runs off the refrigerator thermostat which is set for 40 degrees.

Winter camping is expensive, you need to leave the heat on.

Welcome to the forum.
My idea of winter camping is traveling south until it's 80 degrees in the shade. :)

If the inside of your camper is not heated, and you leave your refrigerator turned on, here's what will happen.

As long as the ambient temperature around the refrigerator stays warmer than the inside of the refrigerator, the refrigerator will continue to cool to it's set temperature. Including the freezer.

However, if the ambient temperature drops below the inside set temperature of the refrigerator, the refrigerator has no reason to turn on and keep things cool, as it's already cool. Ambient temperature will eventually be equal to the temperature inside the refrigerator. Once this happens, the refrigerator is NOT fighting the outside warmer temperature any longer. There is no need for it to run, and it won't.

What happens now?

Well, everything in the refrigerator will be cold! No doubt about that. In fact, the temperature inside the refrigerator could get as cold as the ambient temperature around it, if given enough time. That means there is no need for the refrigerator to run ... which means ... once the outside and inside temperatures reach somewhere between 40 degrees and freezing, the refrigerator is not running... which means ... the freezer is now thawing.

Depending on how long the ambient temperature hovers around the inside temperature of the refrigerator will drive how long anything in the freezer has a chance to thaw.

Once the ambient temperature reaches below 32 ( F ) (Freezing), the freezer section will then continue to freeze again. But by then, it's possible all your ice cream has already melted to a soupy mess and dripping everywhere.

And, if the ambient temperatures gets below freezing, the refrigerator section will begin to freeze also, and now you'll have frozen milk and eggs!

It took me a few years to figure this one out.

If you are going to leave your refrigerator running over the winter, the trailer has to be heated if you are in a climate where temperatures reach freezing or below. Otherwise, empty the refrigerator and freezer and turn it off.

Side note:

Have you ever wondered how Pepsi and Coke machines work? Have you ever used a Coke machine when it was zero degrees and the coke cans or bottles were not frozen?

That's because soft drink machines are built, not only with refrigeration in them, but also built with heaters in them, so if the ambient temperature reaches near 32 degrees ( F ), the heater will kick on, keeping them from freezing. It's true! Check with your Pepsi man the next time you see him!

My idea of winter camping - quiet, empty campgrounds :)

Thanks for all the great replies! I think the best thing is to shut down the fridge as temps in Calgary Canada get way below freezing lol. Still looking forward to trying out winter camping. Thanks again

Pardo wrote:
Thanks for all the great replies! I think the best thing is to shut down the fridge as temps in Calgary Canada get way below freezing lol. Still looking forward to trying out winter camping. Thanks again

We've done winter camping several times. Love it!

We have absolutely NO water in the camper, except what we bring with us in 6 gallon jugs. We use a port-a-potty in the bathroom and dump it in the pit toilets every morning.

Tip: Keep a plastic pan or a liner in your kitchen sink so water will not go down the drains by unwanted accident, and then run the risk of freezing. We always keep a plastic liner in there to catch any spills, or if we simply forget it's winter and pour something in there. It's easy to take it out of the sink and toss the liquid out the door, or in the port-a-potty.

Camping in the winter with your RV with no water hook-ups or water in your system forces you to go back to tent camping style with your food preparation, clean up, and personal hygiene needs, but all the comfort of a nice bed off the ground. With full time electric hook up, you'll be warm and dry. Just a tip... but oh so fun!