Winterworthy RVs

The most important factor in making your winter trip enjoyable is the winterworthiness of your rig.

A winterworthy rig is not the same as a winterized rig. Winterworthy means that you can use all of your rig's water-related systems in the coldest of temperatures. Winterized means that the rig's water system has been evacuated of water and filled with RV antifreeze. We can accept reservations for ski season only from those whose rigs are winterworthy.

1. Your rig can not handle winter temperatures in the high mountains if your on-board (usually propane) heating system is not functioning well. Your local RV dealer will be happy to perform a check of your system's operation.
2. Do not attempt to rely on small electric heaters! These heaters do a good job of heating the cabin of your RV, but they do not heat the tanks. 
3. Fresh water systems (fresh water tank and water pipes) will freeze if they are not kept warm (i.e., 33° F or higher). Do not leave your RV with its on-board heating system turned off.
4. To use fresh water, the following park rule applies:

You may not leave your water hose connected to the park's water system when either the air temperature or the ground temperature is below freezing.

In other words, you can connect up to the water to fill your fresh water tank, but only very briefly; you then immediately turn off the water and disconnect your hose. During ski season, the ground temperature will remain below freezing 24-hours per day.

4. Black-water and gray-water tanks must be (a) fully enclosed, (b) fully insulated and (c) heated by your RV's built-in heating system. If your tanks are not fully enclosed, insulated and heated, they will freeze solid within about a day of your arrival.
5. Do not attempt to rely on RV antifreeze to keep your tanks from freezing up. (Why not? Because RV antifreeze must be used undiluted and pure, not mixed with water. If you mix it with your gray or black water, it loses most its antifreeze effect.)
6. Never use automotive antifreeze in an RV. It is poisonous; it will destroy your tanks and valves; and it will foul our septic system.
7. Slides should be swept off after snow. If you do not sweep the snow and ice off of your slides, you will discover, when it is time to depart, that your slides won't slide in. (It is not a bad idea to bring a good, stiff broom and, if you can fit one in, a ladder.)
8. Those with diesel motors should add a cold-weather fuel conditioner to their fuel tanks before arrival. Block heaters should be activated on the evening before any planned departure.
9. Note that most wintertime RV parks, this one included, have surcharges for excessive electric use.
10. The tips above are intended as general guidelines only. Check with your RV dealer and your RV's documentation for definitive information.
    • The park is not responsible for weather-related damage to your RV.
    • You are financially responsible for damage to the park's water system if you do not disconnect your RV from the park's water system.

Click here for a printable PDF copy of this page!

We can accept reservations for ski season only from those whose rigs are winterworthy.

(575) 377-3404
MonteVerdeRV@yahoo.com