How to Keep a Camper Warm in the Winter? Step by Step Guide

Winter is coming, and if you have a camper or RV that you live in, keeping it warm can be a difficult task. There are many things you can do to keep your home warm during the winter months.

One of those ways is by installing insulation so there’s less heat loss. 

Another way is to install an electric heater inside the camper so the heat doesn’t escape as easily out through cracks around windows and doors.

If neither of those solutions works for you then try adding extra layers of clothes before going back into your camper after being outside in cold weather!

How to Keep a Camper Warm in the Winter? Step by Step Guidelines.

Step 1: Insulate Your Camper 

One of the easiest ways to keep a camper warm is to install insulation in it. There are several types of insulation, such as fiberglass and styrofoam.

Fiberglass is made from glass fibers and is one of the best materials for preventing heat loss because it can absorb heat and block out cold air. 

Styrofoam is an excellent insulator as well but it tends not to soak up heat; this means that if you use styrofoam instead of fiberglass then you’ll need more layers of it to make sure that your camper won’t lose any heat at all.

Step 2:  Install an Electric Heater Inside the Camper 

If installing insulation doesn’t work for you then you can always install an electric heater inside your camper. There are many different types of heaters, most of them running on electricity , but you can also find ones that run on propane gas . 

If you have both electricity and propane available inside your camper then you should buy a propane-powered heater since it will provide heat for longer periods before needing to be refueled with more gas or plugged into an electrical outlet for recharging.

Step 3: Add Extra Layer of Cloth

Keep the heat in by adding extra layers of clothing before going back into the camper . As simple as it sounds, this is one of the best ways to keep warmth inside your home during the winter months.

Try wearing two pairs of pants instead of just one, wear two coats instead of just one, or wear socks over your usual pair. Be creative and see what you can come up with to keep the heat inside!

Step 4: Stay Inside

Try not to go outside during winter months . The best way to keep heat in is by staying inside; this means that if you absolutely must go outside then try doing it only for short periods of time.

You can also put on layers before going out into the cold weather since they will help keep the warmth in.

Step 5: Use Thermal Curtains 

Just like extra layers of clothing, thermal curtains are an excellent way to keep heat inside during the winter months.

They’re simple but effective because once they’re closed then there’s no way any cold can enter through cracks where windows and doors meet the walls.

Step 6: Dress in layers 

Another way to keep warm is by dressing in layers. Even if it’s hot outside, you should wear something like a jacket so the cold doesn’t feel as harsh when you go back into your camper after being outside for a while.

Step 7: Don’t Open Windows

Don’t open your windows during winter months . Even though you’re going to be in a camper all day, that doesn’t mean that the weather will be perfect or that it won’t change suddenly.

You should always keep your windows shut so no cold air can get inside and seep through cracks in the camper’s walls.

Step 8: Insulate Water Tank

Insulate your water tank if necessary . If you have a water tank installed inside your camper then insulating it is an excellent way to prevent heat loss.

Simply wrap the entire tank with a thick towel and fasten it to the camper using rope or duct tape.

It’ll work just like insulation works for houses!

Step 9: Heat Up Foil

Try heating up aluminum foil or a sheet pan on your stove . This is one of the best tricks that you can use for keeping heat inside during winter months.

Simply wrap up some aluminum foil or a sheet pan in two layers of thick towel and put it on top of an electric burner on your stove. 

Turn the burner to high for about ten minutes until you see them heating up, then lower the temperature so they only warm the air inside your camper (about medium heat). You’ll feel like you’re standing by a fireplace!

Step 10:  Recycle Old Cardboard Into Insulation 

If you don’t have any fiberglass insulation left over from insulating the outside walls of the camper then all is not lost; try using recycled cardboard instead!

Cut large sheets out of several boxes (so no two sheets are the same size) and stack them together to get an idea of how thick you’ll need your insulation to be before cutting any.

Place the cardboard inside the camper where you want extra insulation, then tape it down with duct tape to keep it in place.

Step 11: Make a Homemade Heater for Your Camper

If all else fails, try making a small heater out of materials around camp! All you have to do is use tin foil wrapped around crumpled up newspaper or aluminum cans that are taped together. 

You should experiment with what works best but normally this homemade heater will provide enough heat for 10-20 minutes at a time.

Step 12: Use Propane Stoves Instead of Electric Burners 

Since propane stoves work with propane, they don’t use electricity like electric burners do.

Therefore, if you go out camping during winter months then make sure to take a propane stove instead of an electric one; that way you can keep your camper warm without draining all of your batteries.

Step 13: Keep the Bed Close to the Heater

The more time you spend in bed (especially while sleeping), the less cold air will be able to reach you having seeped through cracks around windows and doors of your camper! Move the bed right up next to the heater so no cold wind has any chance at penetrating your camper’s walls.

If none of these steps work, keep yourself busy instead . Sometimes being so cold is just going to make you want to go inside more, so plan other things to do while camping during winter months until you’re warm enough to stay outside longer. 

For example, play games indoors by using all of your extra camping equipment as makeshift toys. You can even use colored pencils or crayons on white paper as a way to have it without spending much money!

Just make sure to keep your mind busy so it doesn’t keep thinking about how cold you are.

Bring a portable heater with you . If all else fails, buy yourself a small propane heater and use it in your camper during winter months.

Just be careful when operating it and only use the cooker for 10 minutes or less at a time because it can also drain batteries if used too often!

Finally, just remember that camping in the cold is an adventure ! Remember that this is something new and fun, not something tedious and boring like everyone makes it out to be (so stop worrying!).

You’ll find that winter camping has many interesting things about it such as snow showers and playing around in the snow…just make sure to stay warm!

Helpful Tips:

1. Stay clean. A dirty camper loses heat much faster than a clean one since dirt and grime act as an insulator, trapping cold air inside. To prevent this, wash your windows often (even the ones you can’t see through). 

If they’re fogged up it will hinder visibility when driving, which is dangerous. Sweep or vacuum all loose dirt from floors and wipe down table tops, counters, stovetop and sink every time you use them.

Keep cooking utensils moist with water to prevent sticking – change water daily if necessary , scrub pots and pans well before storing them so no food particles are trapped between cracks in dishes or stuck on cooking utensils . 

1. Check for drafts around windows and doors, especially where curtains are blowing. The best way to do this is by checking your home before you leave for vacation to find out which areas give drafts. Trace them with a pencil or marker so that you know where they are when uninstalling the curtains. Replace broken or missing screens .
2. Use an RV air conditioner. 
3. Open the vents in your camper while driving on the highway. Just make sure not to accidentally slam it on somebody else’s car!
4. Read labels of candles carefully before igniting them since some candles emit poisonous gases when burnt (so don’t ever use candles without reading labels first).
5. When using gasoline-powered generators, only it outside if absolutely necessary (e.g. you’re having a meeting and need electricity). Otherwise, keep it several feet away from doors or windows because carbon monoxide can seep in.
6. Lastly, don’t try to cut corners by using unapproved heaters such as those fueled by milk jugs (they explode) or propane stoves (CO2) since these devices are not as safe as the approved ones such as electrical space heaters. Even then, never use them without reading labels first and always follow safety instructions!

Bottom Line

A camper should always have the right gear, like a good winter sleeping bag and extra clothes. It’s important to layer up in order to stay warm when camping outdoors in cold weather.

Camper clothing needs are different than they would be for backpacking or hiking because of the weight of their luggage, so it is very important that you know what kind of travel you will be doing beforehand.

Also make sure your vehicle has plenty of space for all your gear!