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Your Winter Home From Home on the Road
Here’s the skinny on the 5 “must-have” accessories to transform any RV from a breezy summer cabin into a cozy four-season palace.
When the weather outside is frightful there’s no need to pack away your RV until things are more delightful. With these essential accessories on board, you’ll have plenty of places to go and be free to let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
1. Exterior Insulated Skirting: The Game-Changer Interior Heating
The #1 cause of a frozen RV is the cold air that circulates under your RV.Adding insulated skirting around the base traps heat inside and blocks chilly winds from blowing beneath your rig. Skirting not only keeps the floor warmer but also prevents your pipes and tanks from freezing—a must if you’re planning on using the water systems throughout winter.
If you’re a frequent winter traveler, custom-fit skirting tailored to your RV model makes a noticeable difference. And for a Grand Design Solitude or Reflection, the extra insulation enhances the already well-designed, weather-resistant construction. You’ll notice it most on cold mornings when you can walk across the floors barefoot, even before the coffee brews.
2. Heated Water Hose: No More Frozen Pipes
Frozen hoses aren’t just inconvenient—they will put a quick stop to your winter plans. Swapping out your regular water hose for a heated version is a small but critical upgrade. These hoses come with built-in heating elements to keep water flowing, even when the temperature drops below freezing.
Pair a heated hose with insulated connectors for extra protection. The last thing you want to deal with after a day of skiing or exploring is thawing out your water supply. While a Reflection or Imagine RV can happily handle the cold, the right upgrades like this one will mean no interruption to warm showers after a day on the slopes or sightseeing.
3. Upgraded Mattress and Heated Bedding: Sleep Like A Beauty
A cold night can make it tough to enjoy the RV life, especially if your mattress feels more like a block of ice than a bed. Upgrading to a memory foam or hybrid mattress gives you better insulation and comfort, making your RV feel more like home. An upgraded mattress is one the most effective and popular ways to transform your RV living from good to great in any season…but in winter it’s simply the best.
For an added touch of warmth, invest in a heated mattress pad or electric blanket. These come in low-voltage options to avoid power drain, and they make climbing into bed on a chilly night feel like slipping into a spa retreat.
4. Tank Heaters and Insulation Wraps: Don’t Let Frozen Tanks Slow you Down
Keeping your plumbing and water tanks functioning in freezing temperatures is a must. Tank heaters—installed on your fresh, grey, and black tanks—prevent them from freezing, while pipe insulation wraps keep everything flowing smoothly.
Grand Design RVs, like the Momentum, are built for adventure, but adding these modifications ensures that even sub-freezing temps won’t slow you down. Bonus: If you love winter boondocking, tank heaters extend your stay by giving you more confidence in your water system.
5. Portable Propane Fire Pit: Bring the Inside, Outside
The heart of RV life is the time spent outdoors, even in winter. A portable propane fire pit makes it easy to enjoy campfires without hauling wood or battling wet logs. These fire pits start instantly, don’t leave behind smoky clothes, and offer just the right amount of warmth for chilly evenings.
Many campgrounds—especially in the southwest—restrict wood-burning fires during the winter months, making propane pits a perfect workaround. Whether you’re relaxing outside a Solitude or Momentum, a quick-start fire pit means you can enjoy the outdoors comfortably, without hassle.
Winter-Ready and Adventure-Ready
Winter RVing isn’t about escaping the cold; it’s about leaning into the season and experiencing something new. With these upgrades, you’ll stay warm, comfortable, and well-prepared for whatever winter brings your way.
Grand Design RVs are built for all kinds of adventures, and a few thoughtful additions only make them better. When your rig feels like home, there’s no such thing as off-season.