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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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What Is A Jayco Thermal Package?
It is easy to believe that most RVers pack up their RV as soon as the first bit of winter hits their locale. Right? While this is true, numerous other RV users continue their respective journeys.
Some live in areas where winter weather is the norm, causing them to use their RVs all year round, regardless of the weather. Other users choose not to stow their RV away simply because they want to save money.
Also, storing your RV till springtime attracts monthly costs, and you will have to fork out a bit of money to have the RV back up again after extended downtime.
What is a thermal package on a camper?
A thermal package on a camper is a specialized feature aimed at improving the insulation and temperature regulation within the RV, particularly in colder climates. RV manufacturers often use terms such as “Polar Package”, “Thermal Package”, and “Heated Tanks” to describe these features, though their interpretations can vary.
For instance, some manufacturers may refer to a thermal package as an enclosed underbelly, predicated on the assumption that heat radiating through the floor will warm the holding tanks. Others may wrap the tanks with insulation, providing enhanced protection against low temperatures.
Can you live in a camper all winter?
It does not take a genius to know that driving in warmer temperatures and driving in cold weather is not the same. For starters, if you go all year round, come snow shine, you cannot select just any RV.
This is because not every RV can seamlessly handle the job. You will require a four-season, all-weather RV that can easily take the summer’s rising temperatures and the winter’s freezing winds.
To help with this decision, RV manufacturers create packages for prospective RV owners to select from.
Jayco’s Thermal Package
Today’s article aims to highlight the thermal package from Jayco. The Jayco thermal package is an additional package that prospective RV owners can choose.
The package is included in various Jayco models. It has insulated, enclosed, heated underbelly and two-sided, reflective foil insulation for slide-out room floors and the main roof.
The package includes heated lower compartments, dual pane windows, and wall and floor insulation for other Jayco RV models. The general theme of the Jayco thermal package is that it helps shore up your RV’s protection from the elements, ensuring that you can drive it all year round.
What is Jayco’s customer value package?
Jayco’s customer value package is a comprehensive suite of amenities and features designed to maximize customer comfort, ease of use, and efficiency. This mandatory package comes with all models and includes various essential features. These include a black tank flush, roof-mounted solar prep, large main entry door grab handle, Solid Step® entry steps (not available in the 380DQS model), tankless water heater, and cable/satellite TV hookup.
In addition, the package also provides a digital TV antenna, Goodyear® Endurance® tires (made in the USA), an outside shower, a power tongue jack, a spare tire with cover, a water heater bypass, a power awning with LED lights, marine-grade exterior speakers, Keyed-Alike™ entry and baggage doors, bathroom power vent, bathroom skylight, and tub surround. This value package ensures customers enjoy maximum functionality and convenience in their Jayco model.
What campers are suitable for cold weather?
When camping in cold weather, choosing the right camper is crucial for a 
comfortable and safe trip. Among the campers suitable for cold weather are the Windjammer 3008W Travel Trailer and Forest River Arctic Wolf, both well-known for their insulation and heating features. The Northwood Arctic Fox and Jayco Redhawk 26XD are other terrific options, boasting robust construction and thermal pane windows.
The Keystone Raptor, Jayco 327CKTS Eagle, Heartland Bighorn, and Keystone Montana also make the list, with their advanced weather protection packages and climate control systems ensuring a warm camping experience in even the chilliest conditions.
What to look out for if you are interested in winter RVing
It is essential to understand that not every RV that has a winter-proof package is the same
Selecting an RV to use for the entire year means you must ensure it can meet your demands. This will mean shopping around and visiting a floor model to know if the RV suits your needs. A great way to tell if your Jayco has the thermal package is to have a long look at its pipes.
If the pipes are completely covered within the RV’s body, the RV is suitable for winter driving if you discover that the pipes are partially enclosed or not enclosed, buying that RV for winter driving will be a big mistake.
Ensure every area of the RV is insulated
Most of us know about insulation from the one in our homes; however, we take it for granted because we cannot see it.
An insulated RV should not be taken for granted, as it can help keep you warm during the cold months and reduce your heating expenses. You have to make sure that your RV is adequately insulated. This means that the walls, floors, and ceilings are insulated.
You must also ensure the tank warmers and holding tanks are adequately insulated. Not having insulation around your tank could cause the water to freeze, making dumping difficult.
Find out about the RV’s Insulation R-Value
Every bit of insulation comes with an R-value, essentially a number-based coefficient determining how much thermal resistance your insulation has. An R-value typically changes from one insulation layer to the next, so a multi-layered bit of insulation has numerous R-values.
The thickness, insulation type, and density can cause the R-value to rise or fall. If you want winter driving, you will want a higher R-value. RVs made from fiberglass, while sleek, are not known for having a high R-value. Instead, looking at RVs made with aluminum sidings and stainless steel would be best.
Ensure that the underbelly of the RV is completely sealed
It does not make much sense to have every part of the RV wholly insulated only to have the underbelly exposed, even partially. An exposed underbelly will allow cold air to get in, and any effort you take to heat your RV would be in vain.
Ensuring that the underbelly is wholly sealed is essential when purchasing
an RV. This feature is part of the Jayco Thermal Package. Jayco ensures that cold air does not get into the RV cabin. An additional benefit is that you will notice a reduction in road noise.
It might seem like inspecting the underbelly of an RV might be a silly thing to do. However, you will be glad you did if it stops you from purchasing an RV that is not suitable for winter driving.
If it turns out that you purchased your RV without inspecting the underbelly, I do not think there is anything you can do to redress the situation. You can buy underbelly material. When purchasing underbelly material, your purchase must be waterproof.
This ensures it does not get destroyed in wet situations. The perfect underbelly material should be woven so that it can be stretched across the RV. The underbelly material can adhere to the underbelly using seam tape or custom fasteners.
As an avid RVer, you must inspect your RV’s underbelly every few months to ensure it is flawless. Doing this can also help you discover any issues and fix them immediately.
Conclusion
If you want to take a different route by using your RV during the winter rather than storing it away as most RV owners do, or if you live in an area with a consistently cold weather system.
Having a Jayco RV with a thermal package can be a great way to ensure your wintry trips are long and exciting. As stated earlier, there are numerous features in the Jayco Thermal package, depending on the class, type, and RV model you are interested in.
Some features are floor and wall insulated, enclosed underbellies, heating pads for freshwater and sewage tanks, dual paned windows, and heated bays.
Now, other manufacturers might call such a package a different name, and you cannot be sure of the features you will get. For this reason, it is always better to stick to a tried and tested RV manufacturer such as Jayco for your winter-ready RV.
When you use the tips above to shop for an RV, you can be sure your RV is completely insulated, from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. This will give you the confidence to brave the freezing temperature and the snow for your winter adventure.
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