Last week we started talking about what to look for in order to find a truly winter-friendly RV, and we promised to tell you more about the manufacturers that we consider to be some of the best at building four-season RVs and Arctic packages. So, without further ado:
Northwood’s Arctic Fox Line: This is one of the most popular four-season RV on the market today, and for good reason. Built in La Grande, Oregon, Arctic Fox travel trailers and fifth wheels are built by professionals who know cold weather firsthand. To stand up to the extreme cold, they start with heavy-duty chassis made from structural grade steel. Their four-season Arctic package RVs are then insulated with residential quality foam and a thermal insulation called AstroEco Radiant Barrier Reflective Insulation that is rated to give the best protection against cold temperatures. Their water and holding tanks are suspended in fully insulated areas that circulate warm air in order to provide protection from freezing. Northwood’s Arctic Fox truck campers are equally ready to take you to the snow, with heated holding tanks, high density foam block insulation in the walls, all-conditions/four seasons R-18 insulation in the ceiling, and R-15 reflective foil insulation on the roof and slide-out. These campers, like all Northwood products, are tested and certified by Pacific West Associates, Inc. to ensure that they are four-season ready.
Keystone’s Four Seasons Living Package: Keystone fifth wheels with the Four Seasons Living Package are Zero Degree Tested and approved for full time RV living. To ensure that you stay warm even in the face of a cold winter, they put a test model fifth wheel in an extreme weather chamber, set the thermostat inside the RV to 74 degrees, and then dropped the ambient temperature around the fifth wheel to 0 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time. The idea was to simulate an “extreme cold weather camping trip”. Although the outside temperature dropped below zero, the temperature inside the RV stayed at a comfortable 70+ degrees, and all of the holding tanks, dump valves and water lines remained completely operational. The Four Seasons Living Package includes an insulated and enclosed underbelly, R-21 insulation in the floor, insulated double layer fiberglass sidewalls, 12V electric tank heaters, insulated slide-outs, radiant technology insulated roof, heated pass-through storage and more.
Lance’s Four Seasons Certified Option: Lance’s Four Seasons Certified option truck campers, toy haulers and travel trailers feature an advanced ducted heating system that Lance has engineered specifically for RVs. They’ve spent time figuring out the most efficient routes to run the ducting so that there is even temperature throughout, even in the coldest weather, and you won’t have to deal with cold spots. Best yet, they’ve included the holding tanks in the heat system so there’s no worry of freezing. Lance also gives their Four Season Certified RVs thermoplastic composite walls for more insulation, a water heater bypass, winterizing valves, insulated hatch covers, insulated bed pads and more.
Heartland’s Yeti Extreme Weather Package: If you’ve got a luxury fifth wheel in mind, be sure to look at Heartland, and find out about the Yeti Extreme Weather Package. Yes, you’ll get a heated, enclosed and insulated underbelly, R-38 insulated floors, dual pane windows, and some of the other features that you find in other Arctic package, like 120V electric holding tank heating pads on the holding tanks that you can turn on with one easy switch. But you’ll also get even more protection from the cold, thanks to a layer of R38 Radiant Technology insulation inside the front and rear caps, which reduces heat loss through the ends of the fifth wheel. The Pex plumbing in the extreme weather package is tested against freezing, but just to give you added peace of mind, the main waterline is insulated and has a 12V heater line that senses when the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and automatically turns on to prevent frozen lines.
These are just some of our favorite four-season RVs, but of course other excellent manufacturers have options for four-season or Arctic packages for their motorhomes, fifth wheels, toy haulers and travel trailers. As we said, these vary by manufacturer and you should be sure to find out what exactly they include; the words “Arctic package” aren’t enough to ensure you’ll stay warm this winter. Look for dual thermal pane windows, extra roof and floor insulation, insulated and heated holding tank areas or heating pads for your holding tanks and lines, ducted heat, etc. If you have any questions or you’d like to know more about RVs that are highly rated for winter camping and road trips, be sure to give us a call or stop in to see us.
Happy Winter Camping!
Photo Credit surrealis_uk
