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, there are numerous other RV users that decide against this.
For one, some of them live in areas where winter weather is the norm, causing them to use their RVs all year round regardless of the weather. There are other users that choose not to stow their RV away simply because they are interested in saving money.
Also, storing your RV till the springtime attracts monthly costs and you will also have to fork out a bit of money to have the RV running back up again after extended downtime.
It does not take a genius to know that driving in warmer temperatures and driving in the cold weather is not the same. For starters, if you choose to drive all year round come snow come shine, you simply cannot select just any RV.
This is because not every RV can seamlessly handle the job. What you will require, is a four-season, all-weather RV that can easily handle the rising temperatures associated with summer as well as the freezing winds of winter.
To help with this decision, RV manufacturers create packages for prospective RV owners to select from. Today’s article aims to highlight the thermal package from Jayco. The Jayco thermal package is an additional package that prospective RV owners can select.
The package tends to vary from one Jayco model to the next, however, it includes insulated, enclosed, and heated underbelly, as well as two-sided, reflective foil insulation for slide-out room floors and the main roof.
For other Jayco RV models, the package includes heated lower compartments, dual pane windows, and wall and floor insulation. The general theme of the Jayco thermal package is that it helps to shore up your RV’s protection from the elements ensuring that you are able to drive it all year round if you so, please.
What to look out for if you are interested in winter RVing
It is important 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 that you will have to ensure it is able to meet up to your demands. This will mean taking the time to shop around and actually visit a floor model to know if the RV is suitable for 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, then the RV is suitable for winter driving. If you find out that the pipes are partially enclosed or not enclosed at all then, buying that RV for winter driving will be a big mistake.
Ensure every area of the RV is insulated
Most of us known about insulation from the one in our homes, however, because we are not able to see it, we take it for granted.
An insulated RV should not be taken for granted as it can help not only keep you warm during the cold months but cut down on your heating expenses. You have to make sure that your RV is properly insulated. This means that the walls, floors, and ceilings are insulated.
Additionally, you have to ensure the tank warmers and holding tanks are properly insulated. Not having insulation around your tank could cause the water in it to freeze, making dumping extremely difficult.
Find out about the RV’s Insulation R Value
Every bit of insulation comes with an R Value, which is essentially a number based coefficient that determines 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 are interested in winter driving, you will want a higher R Value. RVs made from fibreglass, while sleek are not known for having a high R Value. What you should instead look at are RVs made with aluminum sidings and those made with stainless steel.
Ensure that the underbelly of the RV is completely sealed
It does not make much sense to have every part of the RV completely insulated only to have the underbelly exposed, even partially. An exposed underbelly will allow cold air to get in and any effort you take in heating your RV would be in vain.
When purchasing an RV, it is important to check that the underbelly is completely sealed. This feature is part of the Jayco Thermal Package. Jayco ensures that cold air does not get into the cabin of the RV. 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, do not think there is nothing you can do to redress the situation. You can purchase underbelly material. When purchasing underbelly material, it is imperative that your purchase is 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 be adhered to the underbelly using seam tape.
As an avid RVer, you have to make a habit of inspecting your RV’s underbelly every few months to ensure that it is still flawless. Doing this can also help you discover any issues with it, so it can be fixed as soon as possible.
Conclusion
If you are interested in taking 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 the 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, and it depends on the class, type, and model of RV you are interested in.
Some of the features are floor and wall insulated, enclosed underbellies, heating pads for freshwater and sewage tanks, dual paned windows, heated bays.
Now other manufacturers might call such a package a different name and you really 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 that your RV is completely insulated, from wall to wall and from floor to ceiling. This will provide you with the confidence to brave the freezing temperature and the snow to have your winter adventure.
