There is something extra special about camping during the fall when the
temperatures are cooler, the campgrounds are less crowded, and evenings are best
spent around a cozy campCire.
If you are interested in extending your camping season a bit longer than you have in
the past, here are some tips for staying comfortable in your RV.
1. Look at both the high and low temperatures in the weather forecast.
While the weatherman might be predicting a gorgeous 67-degree day next
weekend, the temperatures might very well dip down into the 40s at night. Make
sure you are prepared for the wide range of temperatures that campers
experience in both the fall and spring seasons.
2. Pack clothes for layering and keeping dry.
We have seen so many campers run out to the store to buy sweatshirts, coats,
rain boots, and socks while on fall and spring camping trips. Prepare to layer
outCits with jackets and sweaters for the morning and evenings and t-shirts for
the warm afternoons. The Cluctuating temperatures may bring increased
moisture as well. We never camp in the shoulder season without raincoats and
waterproof footwear.
3. Monitor your propane supply.
Your propane may last a long time in the summer, but your camper furnance uses
much more gas than any other draw in the RV. Make sure you have full tanks
before leaving for a fall or spring camping trip, and use a gauge to check them
throughout your stay at the campground. We learned this lesson the hard way
years ago, when we ran out of propane in the middle of a chilly, 30-degree night.
4. Bring along a heated hose.
If you keep your RV heater on, you don’t have to worry about any of your water
pipes freezing in colder temperatures. However, the water running from the
campsite hookup to your RV may freeze in the hose. Avoid this by investing in a
heated hose, which will keep fresh water coming out of your faucets even if an
early frost arrives.
5. Look for sunny campsites with wind protection.
This can be tricky, but we highly recommend looking for sunny, but sheltered
campsites during the fall and spring. Sun exposure will help heat your RV, and it
will also help dry up the moisture that from an overnight frost. Having a
campsite with trees and bushes around the perimeter will allow you to enjoy a
warm campCire and it will protect you from chilly winds at night.
We cherish our last few camping trips in the fall, and we look forward to enjoying
those warm days and crisp nights. With a few tweaks to our planning, packing, and
gear we are able to fully enjoy the beauty of autumn. So why not schedule just one
more RV trip this year?
