8 Easy Ways to Keep Warm in Your RV Without Hookups

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At this point, winter is in full swing, and that means we’re all doing our best to keep our RVs as warm as possible. Unfortunately, depending on how cold the weather gets, this can be a bit tricky, especially if you choose to RV without hookups and can’t keep space heaters going all day.

The good news? It is totally possible to keep an RV warm even when hookups aren’t available. Here are my top tips for doing just that.

Layer Up

First and foremost, before tackling any other tasks on this list, you will want to layer up. Obviously this doesn’t warm up the RV itself so much as it keeps you personally warm, but it’s actually such a major part of keeping warm in your RV without hookups that we’d be remiss not to mention it.

So yeah, invest in some long underwear and always wear socks (and maybe even a hat) while you’re in the RV. Add extra blankets to your bed as well, and consider getting a robe or a throw blanket to use while sitting on the couch.

The more clothing layers you use, the less it’s going to matter if you have the heat running or if your rig is a little colder than you might normally keep it.

Insulate Everything

You can also hold onto the heat in your RV by insulating every way you can. Add insulation to your windows, use a skirt around the bottom of your RV, and put vent pillows in the roof vents. If it’s super cold out, you might even hang blankets or tapestries on the walls, over the door, and over the windows to keep in as much warmth as possible.

Park Smart

While you might want a shady spot during the hot season, winter is the perfect time to choose the campsites that are in full sun. This will allow you to take advantage of every bit of sunlight you can get, meaning your RV will stay warmer during the day.

Another smart parking tip when trying to keep warm in your RV without hookups? Look for wind blocks whenever you can. Parking next to a building will help block some of the winter wind, making it easier to keep the cold out of your home-on-wheels.

Run the Furnace

Believe it or not, you can run the furnace built into your RV without hookups. That said, you will need propane and enough battery power to run the fan, and unfortunately, it’s easy to run through both pretty quickly.

When you have an electric hookup it’s easy enough to recharge your battery bank, but without hookups, this is a little bit trickier and you might need to look into solar power or a generator to keep things running. Of course, you’ll also need to make sure you have a way to refill the propane when needed.

Grab a Mr. Buddy Heater

If you need to run a heater but feel that it’s too much hassle keeping your battery bank charged and your RV propane tanks topped up, you might consider investing in a Mr. Buddy Heater.

These are portable propane heaters that do not require any electricity at all. The amount of propane they use is miniscule in comparison to the propane used by an RV furnace, and you can choose to use large 20-pound tanks or the tiny 1-pound canisters of fuel.

Note: If you choose to go this route, it is important that you follow the product instructions carefully, making sure to crack a window near the heater for safety.

Invest in an Electric Blanket

You may be staying in your RV without hookups, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use any electricity at all to keep warm. For instance, there are quite a few battery-operated electric blankets on the market to choose from. Put one on your bed and you’ll stay nice and toasty all night long, no matter how cold the rest of the RV gets. Charge the blanket up in the car the next day and you’ll be prepared for another night of chilly temperatures.

Pick Up Some Hand Warmers

Don’t want to bother with recharging a blanket every day? You can also heat your bed without any electricity at all by investing in some Hot Hands hand warmers. These disposable hand warmers don’t require batteries, an outlet, or any sort of fuel.

All you have to do is follow the instructions on the package to activate them, place the hand warmers in your bed, and snuggle up under the blankets with them and you’ll be comfy cozy in no time at all.

Consider Moving South

Of course, you could avoid the need to keep the RV warm altogether by moving south. A huge number of RVers head to Florida, Texas, Arizona, and southern California during the winter months to skip the cold weather and keep on enjoying sunshine right on through January and February.

This is an especially good idea if you plan to camp without hookups, as it means mild temperatures, which are the best kinds of temperatures for boondocking.

As you can see, staying comfortably warm while living in your RV without hookups is totally possible. Use these tips and you’ll get through the cold season just fine!

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