RV's in winter

[KatieSinclair]

Hi,

We are new to RV's and are planning to rent one for 3 weeks in California in November.

Our first few nights we are planning to go to Yosemite valley, which I know has no hookups, and probably cold (close to freezing temperatures).

Are we mad to consider doing this in our first few nights in an RV? What advice can anyone give about how everything works from heaters and gas to generators - please be kind and patient as we are beginners.

Thanks in advance, Katie

[korbe]

Besides possibly being a bit cold, you could encounter some snowy road conditions. Not likely, but at that time of year, no weather is guaranteed.

[Jim_Shoe]

Here's the scoop on average weather data by month over the last 106 years.
Suggest you add the link to your Favorites list. The same information is available on the site by month within state and city for every state for a variable number of years. Its amazing how much altitude above sea level affects the weather.
Be sure that you're looking at Fahrenheit or Centigrade (your choice) and "all data" instead of "summary".
Its free and you don't have to register to use it.
BTW, looks like Yosemite might be a little nippy in November.

[guidry]

I would take video of the rental representative while he is showing you all the functions of the RV and get his cell phone number so you can call him at any time with questions. And, as stated, other campers like to help so ask when needed. Good luck

[Dick_B]

Is there a compelling reason to rent in November? X2 on RVing in the winter; not fun when the water lines freeze or the battery dies preventing the furnace from functioning.
Some, or many, of the campgrounds, at least in the Midwest, have camping cabins. Would you consider renting them? Hopefully, they would be better prepared to handle the winter than the typical RV.

[Tripalot]

If you have never RV'd, there are a lot of things to learn. Personally I would not want to be someplace in the cold and learning how to make things work - especially in a rental unit. On the positive side, RVers are a friendly lot and asking someone in the c.g. for assistance would probably work.