If you are a teardrop owner, then it probably means that you love to camp anywhere at any time of the year. You may like to get up and go at a whim or plan your travels in advance. At any rate, you want to be able to camp year-round, so you question “Can I use my teardrop trailer in the winter?” The short answer is yes! Yes, you can.
It is encouraged and dependent on your model, it may be equipped with everything you need to make that happen for you and your family. On the off chance, your teardrop is of the minimalist variety, or you want to make sure that you have everything you will need, here are some tips to make sure that you can actually go camping in the winter.
Ask yourself some basic questions during your planning phase:
- Where are we going camping in the winter? Winter weather looks different in the valley of Arizona versus camping in the winter in Colorado. Pack accordingly.
- Will we be at a campground with hookups versus boondocking out in the middle of nowhere? This will help you decide how much extra water to take along, as well as maybe an extra battery or charging devices to ensure that you stay warm during cold weather.
- How long are we traveling for? Your needed resources will be dependent on the length of your adventures. Again, plan accordingly. Take an extra couple of day supplies just to be on the safe side.
Preparing yourself for cold weather adventures, seems to be a no brainer. However, your excitement about the pending travels can sometimes override your survival instincts. Take into account the area where you plan on traveling to.
If you are staying at state campgrounds or private campsites, it may be easier to locate a nearby store should you forget anything along the way. Our campers that love to rough it a little more and take all the backroads (or off road) should plan on bringing extras of certain items.
To prepare yourself for winter camping in colder climates, we make the following recommendations:
- Heat Source – This will be extremely important in ensuring that you stay warm during your travels. If you have a teardrop unit with an attached heater, then you are one step ahead. However, bring an additional heating source, should yours go out for any reason. Also bring an adaptor to ensure that extra source will work. This will also be an extra consideration when purchasing your teardrop, as you can ensure staying warm if your unit has amazing insulation all the way around.
- Holding tanks – Should you purchase a teardrop that has toilet and water pump capabilities, you will want to keep your tanks from freezing in cold weather conditions. Be sure that they are well insulated and protected against being punctured or freezing. You can also use heat tape on pipes and plumbing for extra protection.
- Pack Winter Clothing – Just when you think you have packed enough winter gear, pack that extra sweater or long johns. Layer up in the cold weather, but especially when you are camping in winter elements. You can never have too much. Extra socks are especially important, should they get wet for any reason, then you have an extra pair of thick socks to protect against hypothermic conditions. Make sure your base layer is breathable to protect against unnecessary sweating and stay hydrated.
- Winter Bedding – Add thick layers to help you sleep soundly. Make sure that you have an extra layer of blankets. You can always take off layers, but it could be miserable if you don’t have them to begin with. You can add a layer of luxury by bringing along an electric blanket!
- Weatherproof Gear – Bring extra waterproof gloves, hats, boots, and goggles. This will protect you from snowy conditions especially. It’s always great fun to play in the snow, but make sure you are prepared for after the play as well.
- Lantern, Flashlight, Headlamp – Any combination of these items (preferably all) will help in the winter evenings when it gets dark sooner. You will be able to see your way more comfortably and maintain safety.
- Tire Chains – These will be helpful in conditions where you expect snow. If you are intentionally traveling up high elevation, take these along to ensure that you don’t get stuck anywhere in the winter weather.
- Shovel – Another helpful item in the snow, you may find that the snowfall is more than anticipated. It will be useful to dig yourself out of sticky situations.
Winter camping is some of the best travel experiences. You see the quiet beauty of nature in a whole new light. If you love the outdoors year-round, then this will be the perfect time for you to take your teardrop into short winter days and long winter nights.
Keep these tips in mind and you will experience a whole new appreciation for the outdoors. Be sure to remember to keep your gas tank full and your fun-o-meter on high! Let us know your favorite tips for winter camping! Stay safe out there 🙂
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