Camping in November, heading to the ski hill, or spending the winter on the road? More Canadians are extending their RV adventures beyond summer. But is your RV equipped for Canadian winters? Not every RV is built for cold weather, and “four-season” doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere. Here’s what to look for before choosing an RV for year-round adventures.
Four seasons, sure, but where?
There’s no official definition of a “four-season” RV. Each manufacturer uses the term differently, and many RVs sold under that label are designed for American winters. A winter in the United States or in the Okanagan Valley, where temperatures often hover around zero, is very different from a winter in Northern Ontario or Saguenay, where the temperature regularly drops below -25°C. An RV that does the job perfectly in the first case can freeze overnight in the second.
Before looking at spec sheets, it’s important to ask yourself: where will you be camping, and how cold will it get?
Four things to check
- Insulation. This is the foundation. Ask what type of insulation is used in the walls, roof and floor, and what minimum temperature the manufacturer rates the RV to handle comfortably. An enclosed, insulated underbelly makes a big difference.
- Tanks. This is often the weak spot. Check whether the tanks and plumbing are heated or protected inside the insulated envelope. If not, water will freeze in the lines with the first deep cold.
- Windows. Dual-pane windows reduce heat loss and condensation, an RV’s number one enemy in winter.
- Heating. The furnace output, in BTUs, should match the size of the RV. Think about off-grid capacity too: Winter camping means using more propane and electricity.
Which type of RV for winter?
Any type of RV can be adapted for the cold, but some are better equipped for cold weather than others.
- Travel trailers and fifth wheels offer plenty of space, but their large volume is harder to heat, and their tanks are often under the floor, which leaves them exposed. These models are rarely designed for winter by the manufacturer, but some offer it as an option: ask about it.
- Motorhomes let you get going without unhitching, a real advantage in winter, but the engine and generator also need protection from the cold. And a large Class A or Class C aren’t always easy to manoeuvre in snow.
- Truck campers are compact, often insulated and easy to heat. They can go wherever your pickup goes, even on snowy roads.
Think about how you’ll use it
An RV parked at a campground with full hookups all winter has very different needs from one travelling between ski resorts. Ask yourself how many nights you plan to spend in the cold, whether you’ll be plugged in or off-grid, and whether your vehicle is suited to winter driving. Also look into which campgrounds stay open during winter in your area: there are much fewer options than in summer.
Two examples from RV Care’s partners
RV Care dealers offer a wide selection of units for every climate and every use. To illustrate these criteria, here are two options from our partnerships with Canadian manufacturers: one to extend the season, the other for real winter.
To extend the season: the Citation – RVC Edition travel trailer
You don’t camp in January, but you want to enjoy those beautiful fall days and get back on the road early in the spring? You don’t necessarily need a winter RV, but a solid, well-built trailer that can handle the conditions three seasons a year. Built in Ontario by General Coach Canada and offered as an exclusive edition within the RV Care Network, the Citation RVC Edition is designed for the Canadian market.This trailer features thermopane windows to help retain heat on cooler nights and a fiberglass front cap to protect the propane tanks. Its spacious kitchen and slide-out make it a comfortable choice for extended weekends outside peak season, particularly in milder climates. It’s a great way to enjoy a few extra weeks of camping, from early spring through late fall.
Discover the CITATION - RVC Edition
For real winter: BBI truck campers
If, on the other hand, you plan to camp though the heart of winter, you’ll need an RV designed for the cold, from the ground up. BBI truck campers, built in Sherbrooke, Quebec, are designed with these conditions in mind and available at select RV Care dealerships.
The entire lineup is insulated with urethane and designed to withstand temperatures as low as -35°C. Most models come with a 12,000 BTU heating system and double-wall, insulated, frost-free windows. Ultra-lightweight, they fit the most common pickup trucks. The Mokaï, for example, weighs under 1,500 lb fully equipped, with a toilet-shower combo, queen bed and solar panel. It’s the ideal choice for skiing, ice fishing or snowmobiling, anywhere your pickup can take you.
Discover BBI
Choose for your winter, not for a label
The right RV is the one that fits your climate and the way you travel. Extending your camping season is one thing; handling the coldest winter conditions is another. The Citation RVC Edition and BBI truck campers are just two of the many units available across the network. Explore the RVs available on Navigator, and your RV Care dealer will help you find the one that’s right for you.
