Buying A 4 Season RV? Learn These Important Features

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As a camper, you must have been through some pretty grueling weather conditions. From the blistering heat of summer to the frigid cold of winter, it’s important to know what RV suits you the best before purchasing one.

If you are a full-time-RVer, learning everything about a 4 season RV can help make your next camping trip even better!

In this blog post, we will discuss what 4 season or all season RVs are, how they perform in different types of weather, and some of the most important features to look for when shopping for one.

What Is a Four Season Travel Trailer?

All seasons RV units are designed to withstand a variety of weather conditions. They are rugged and have features that provide warmth in cold climates, help with cooling during hot seasons, and offer protection from the wind even when it’s raining or snowing outside.

These RVs typically have much more insulation than other types of RVs. They have a strengthened flooring for those times when you need to pitch your tent on rocky terrain. They’re built strong and resilient, so you don’t have to worry about breaking down in the middle of nowhere while traveling.

An all weather RV is designed in such a way that it can be used year-round, no matter what the weather conditions are. These vehicles are much more expensive than other types of RVs but they’re worth every penny for campers who travel often.

When you invest in one of these, you’ll never have to worry about renting another vehicle or trying to figure out which type would work best on your current trip. Just pack up and go!

4 season travel trailer
Enjoy year-round traveling in an all-season trailer.

Do 4 Season Campers Protect from Hot Summer Days?

A 4 season RV can withstand any type of weather conditions where you normally would have to be living outdoors. The term “four seasons” suggests that the RV is capable of handling hot or cold temperatures, driving in rain, and shielding from snowing elements like the wind. However, most 4 season travel trailer models are specially designed for withstanding winter conditions.

In fact, these RVs should have good insulation, and well-insulated walls can protect them from both heat and cold. You can pass the hot summer days by opening the windows at night (for air circulation) and keeping them shut during the daytime.

However, you should keep in mind that these RVs are well-adjusted for extremely hot weather. So, don’t think of summer camping in your 4 season RV somewhere in Arizona when it’s 100F outside.


Buying a 4 Season RV: Important Features to Consider

RVs are the perfect way to enjoy a vacation with family, friends, and pets. If you want to camp all-around the year, you must purchase or rent an all season RV.

The key features that make 4 season RVs different from other types of recreational vehicles are different types of fixtures to protect from cold temperatures. The following features allow these RVs to stay on the road in any condition:

all weather rv
Photo: Cavan Image / Getty Images

Wall and Ceiling Insulation

A 4 season RV must have an advanced wall and ceiling insulation to protect from both heat and cold. Most 4 season RV manufacturers use several layers of different materials to create top-grade insulation.

There is an R-value that determines the insulation. An RV with a high R-value has better insulation than other models with a low value.

Dual Pane Windows

The interior heat is lost mostly through the windows even when they are shut. A thin layer of glass on the windows cannot prevent heat loss. For this reason, all season trailers have dual-pane thermal windows that can trap the heat inside. You can also open them for ventilation.

All Wheel Drive and 4-Wheel Steering

Four season RVs have a front-wheel drive for greater traction on snowy or icy roads. A four-wheel steering also comes in handy to make turning in tight spots easier and safer.

Electrical Options and Storage Capacity

A 4 season RV must be able to withstand the loss of power by having advanced electrical options like solar panels, battery backup systems, or gas generators that can start when needed. It’s also important to have sufficient storage capacity, so you can take all the necessary stuff with you.

Roof Mounted A/C Unit and Heater

Roof-mounted air conditioning units combined with rooftop heaters are necessary to combat the extreme outside temperatures in a 4 season RV.

Skylight or Solar Powered Ventilators

Skylights and window vents that allow natural light and air into your vehicle will help you feel less claustrophobic during summer days. Solar-powered ventilators work best because they don’t need any power sources. They only use wind currents to keep the inside cool on those hot days.

Enclosed Underbelly

Camping in winter is problematic for one particular reason — the freezing of the tanks and pipes. It not only cuts the water supply but also damages the systems. A proper four season RV enclosed tank system with heated technology. It makes sure that all tanks are active and functional even when the outside temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

4 season campers
An enclosed RV underbelly. (Credit: RV Wholesale Superstore)

Hatch Covers

Hatch covers on the roof prevent heat losses and help keep the interior comfortable. Many hatches have vents for proper air circulation for hot days. If they don’t come with extra lids, you should purchase some dark black and firm lids for the winter season.

PEX Pipes

A heated underbelly will save the tanks and if you want to protect the pipes too, use PEX pipes. These rubber pipes can expand without cracking up when water freezes inside. These are cheaper than copper or plastic pipes, which often don’t survive the water freeze-ups.


Conclusion

If you’re looking for a 4 season RV or are considering trading up to one of these vehicles for the winter season, you must know about their features. Proper research and planning into this purchase will give you a clear idea of what you are going to get. You can enjoy your trip more knowing that the vehicle has everything you may need on the road.

About Chris Coleman

Chris Coleman is an interesting travel blogger and outdoor photographer with a great sense of humor. He owns an RV Accessories shop in New York City so he has the knowledge necessary to provide thorough reviews and give advice on how to choose the right products for RV travel. He puts all that RV knowledge and experience to good use in his sharing posts. Besides product buying guides/reviews, Chris also writes informative articles, how-to articles and RV camping guides in his own interesting viewpoint. Chris’s blog is one of the most reliable information sources for RV campers no matter if you're an expert or a determined beginner.

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