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The Best Winter RV: Stay Warm Even in Extreme Cold

As winter approaches, there’s one thing on every camper’s mind…picking out the best winter RV for their winter camping trips!

That’s right–no need to pay for RV storage this year! We’ve put together a list of the best winter RVs to keep you camping comfortably all year round.

best winter rv

Our Top Picks

Best Overall
Landmark Lafayette Fifth Wheel

Best Travel Trailer for Winter
Lance 1685 Travel Trailer

Best Class A RV for Winter
Winnebago Inspire


Best Overall

Landmark Lafayette Fifth Wheel

The Landmark Lafayette fifth-wheel RV comes with several features that make it perfect for winter RV camping.

One of our favorite features is the tricked-out sofa, which includes a heating feature. You’ll also find a “fireplace” heater in the living area.

It also comes outfitted with a powerful furnace, as well as the option to add on a heat pump to your air conditioning unit.

Adding a heat pump will allow you to heat your RV with your electric hookup instead of propane. This will save you money over time.

Another huge benefit: this RV comes with metal skirting already installed around the base, which helps preserve heat in cold weather.

The one downside to this winter RV: you won’t find a bunkroom.

Pros

  • Multiple heating features
  • Optional heat pump add-on
  • Sofa with internal heating
  • Pre-installed skirting

Cons

  • No bunkroom

Best Travel Trailer for Winter

Lance 1685 Travel Trailer

The Lance 1685 travel trailer comes standard with the “Four Seasons Comfort Package.”

This package includes insulated covers for your internal hatches, specially designed “winterizing” valves to make winterizing your RV as simple as possible, and insulation pre-installed on the RV’s underbelly to prevent frozen pipes.

While the Lance also doesn’t have a bunkroom, the dinette does convert into a bed.

Unfortunately, while there is a “bedroom” with a queen bed, a curtain is all that separates it from the main area.

Pros

  • Four Seasons standard package
  • Easy to winterize
  • Additional sleeping space
  • Great for beginners

Cons

  • No separate bunkroom
  • “Bedroom” is only separated by a curtain

Best Class A for Winter

Winnebago Inspire

If you’re hoping for a “Class A” winter camping experience, good news! The Winnebago Inspire Class A is one of the best winter RVs out there.

Winnebagos are known for excellent performance in winter weather, which is what you want if you’re going to be driving a Class A on winter roads.

The Inspire is outfitted with a powerful furnace and a heat pump on the air conditioning system.

This winter RV comes with a “water system winterization package,” which helps simplify the winterization process. This includes an “antifreeze bypass” that will keep antifreeze exclusively in your pipes, not your water tank!

The Inspire is also designed for accessibility. It includes a wheelchair lift, wider corridors, a roll-in shower, and many other wheelchair-friendly features.

While there isn’t a bunkroom, there is a separate queen bedroom. The dinette and sofa both convert to beds, too, so the whole family should fit just fine!

Pros

  • Accessible/wheelchair-friendly
  • Water system winterization package available
  • Separate bedroom
  • Good on winter roads

Cons

  • No bunkroom

Best Class B for Winter

Jayco Terrain 19Y

Next up on our list of the best winter RVs is the Jayco Terrain 19Y!

Because of its small size, the Jayco Terrain is a fantastic option for those who are anxious about attempting to tow a winter RV or drive a Class A in the snow.

It also comes with extra driving safety features that will come in handy on your winter camping trip. The Terrain offers brake, lane-keeping, blind spot, and traffic sign assist.

The Terrain also comes with a winterization system and a heated gray tank. This means your main water tank won’t freeze even if you choose not to winterize.

The winterization system includes additional valves to help drain pipes and a bypass hose to keep antifreeze out of your main water tank.

Class Bs, while easy to handle, are also very small. While the Terrain does have a separate bedroom, it’s more or less a bed with doors, and it only sleeps two.

Pros

  • Extra driving safety features
  • Easy to winterize
  • Heated seats

Cons

  • Cramped interior
  • Only sleeps two

Best Class C for Winter

The Winnebago Ekko

Last but not least, we have the Winnebago Ekko!

The Ekko is the perfect choice for anyone who isn’t quite ready to take on a Class A, but wants a little more space than a Class B can offer.

The heating system in the Ekko is perfect for winter camping–especially if you’re trying to avoid winterizing.

The heating ducts are arranged around your water tanks, and trust us, that’s what you want. Frozen and/or burst pipes are no fun at all.

The water “service center” is also insulated, protecting it from the cold.

This Class C does include a separate bunkroom! However, it is also the only bedroom, and it comes with two twins, not a queen or king.

Pros

  • Great heating system
  • Insulated water system
  • Separate bunkroom/optional additional bed
  • Happy medium between Class A and Class B

Cons

  • Two twin beds instead of a queen or king

Winter RV Buyer’s Guide

There are a couple of things to consider when choosing the best winter RV for you:

Towing or Driving

First, think about whether you want to be towing your RV or driving it. It depends on which you’re more comfortable with on winter roads.

If you’d prefer to tow your winter RV, you’ll want to choose a travel trailer or fifth wheel; otherwise, you’ll want to choose one of the Class options.

(This also depends on your current vehicle and its towing ability. Make sure you check how much weight your vehicle can tow before you commit to a trailer or fifth wheel!)

Expected Climate

Secondly, consider the temperature of your intended winter camping destinations. If you’re expecting severe temperature drops, you’ll want an easy-to winterize winter RV.

best winter RV

Winter RV FAQ

Do I have to winterize my RV before camping during the winter?

The best practice is to winterize your camper before winter camping. While it means you’ll be dry camping for the duration of your trip, it also means you eliminate the risk of burst pipes.

If your campground has a bathhouse, this is definitely your best option.

However, if your campground has no bathhouse and you intend to stay for more than a day or two, you can do your best to get away with not winterizing your camper.

Just make sure you do your research on alternative options for winterizing and keeping your pipes from freezing!

Should I put snow tires on my winter RV?

While not required, it certainly doesn’t hurt.

Regardless of whether you’re choosing to tow or drive your RV, winter roads can be treacherous.

Snow tires will give you an extra helping of peace of mind before you hit the road!

Can I convert my current RV into a winter-ready RV?

In some ways, yes! You can add on your own insulation through skirting, swap out your water hose for a heated water hose, and bring in a space heater if your furnace isn’t doing the job (or is just too expensive).


Which is the Best Winter RV for You?

Once you’ve chosen the best winter RV for you, you’ll be ready to strike out on your next cold-weather camping adventure!

For more winter RV camping tips, take a look at our winter RV camping section now!