Cold weather camping is much more possible with an intentionally constructed recreational vehicle. From heated and insulated underbellies to upgraded foam block insulation, 4 season RV travel trailers boast important construction elements that more affordable travel trailers don’t offer. Whether you’re looking for full time RVing trailers that can handle winters in your region or simply searching for a camper that will allow you to start your season earlier in the spring and camp comfortably later into the fall, four season travel trailers are attractive for many reasons.
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ToggleIs There Really Such Thing as a 4 Season RV?
Some RVs are intended for four season use, but that doesn’t necessarily qualify them for all weather conditions. Location is a major variable in any RV’s ability to handle the colder months. A 4 season RV that cuts it in northern Georgia winters may not handle what locals consider a moderate fall day in Michigan or Minnesota, for example.
Simply put, any RV’s ability to handle winter weather depends on more than its construction. Other factors include your location, the immediate weather conditions, and the extra steps you take to insulate the underbelly, protect the water system and plumbing, and keep snow from accumulating on the roof—just to provide a few examples.
We’ll highlight additional considerations for cold weather RV camping below, but let’s first explore some of the most popular travel trailers with 4 season capability from the major RV manufacturers.
Who Makes 4 Season Travel Trailers?
Keystone Cougar
Keystone’s Climate Guard Protection package is exclusive to their Cougar Premium and Half-Ton RVs. This package is tested for comfortable camping from 110℉ down to 0℉, keeping you cozy and protecting your RV’s critical systems.
Many factors contribute to the added weather protection that Cougar travel trailers deliver:
- An astro-foil barrier provides added insulation in the slide floors.
- The laminated rear wall combines rolled fiberglass with a second layer of styrene insulation.
- A heat register behind the convenience center in the pass through compartment gives you heated storage.
- 12-volt heat pads on the holding tanks can be used while stationary and in transit.
- A layer of astro-foil insulation underneath and another layer of fiberglass insulation above provide insulation for the holding tanks.
- Heat ducts running next to the water lines help to prevent the lines, tanks, and gate valves from freezing.
- The iN-Command® control system features remote probes for better temperature readings and Bluetooth connectivity for easy monitoring and adjustments from your smartphone.
- Many models feature a 30K BTU propane furnace and a 5K BTU electric fireplace.
As you can see, Keystone added many smart design elements to protect these Cougar campers from the elements. Additional features like tinted windows, a radiant foil barrier in the front cap, and their Blade high-performance cooling system keep you comfortable in the heat of summer.
Featured Floor Plans:
East to West Alta Xtreme
East to West’s Alta RV lineup provides some upgraded features compared to their Silver Lake travel trailers. But they’ve saved their best four-season camping features on two unique models under the “Alta Xtreme” brand name.
- Three-inch laminated sidewalls with Azdel finish on the interior and exterior
- Five-inch vacuum-bonded roof
- Heaters for the holding tanks and water lines
- Heated and enclosed underbelly
- Upgraded 40,000-BTU propane furnace
- Dual pane windows
- A heat pump feature in the 15K BTU ducted air conditioner
Some additional features that set the Alta Xtreme travel trailers apart from other East to West campers include a nearly 20 cubic-foot double-door 12V refrigerator and a 96” interior ceiling height. But boondockers will love Alta’s West Coast power package, which includes a 400-watt solar panel, 30 amp charge controller, and a second battery.
Featured Floor Plans:
Jayco Eagle HT
The Eagle HT is arguably the best-equipped travel trailer in the entire Jayco lineup. Their attention to detail doesn’t skip the finer points of making a trailer that can handle cold weather camping, either. The lineup has many floor plan options, but let’s focus on Jayco’s Climate Shield™ protection package, which is rated down to zero degrees. Here’s what you can expect from the Jayco Eagle HT when it comes to protection from the elements:
- A fully enclosed underbelly with ducted heating (i.e., forced air vs radiant heat).
- The ceiling and floor are built with double-layer fiberglass batt insulation.
- The roof, floor, and front cap are built with double-sided reflective radiant barrier insulation.
- PEX-tested water lines that are rated to protect against freezing temperatures.
- An upgraded 35,000 BTU propane furnace powers forced air heat.
- Select models include a 5K BTU electric fireplace for added heat.
Additionally, all Eagle HT travel trailers can be built with Jayco’s optional Extreme Weather Package. This package adds 12-volt heating pads to the holding tanks and wraps 12-volt heat tape around the fresh water line to prevent it from freezing.
Featured Floor Plans:
Keystone Outback
The Outback lineup from Keystone also offers advanced weather protection. The Elements package differs slightly from the Climate Guard Protection you’ll find on Cougar travel trailers, so let’s highlight the main features of this construction package:
- Upgraded radiant barrier astro-foil insulation in the enclosed underbelly, which is also equipped with ducted heating to protect plumbing.
- 12-volt heating pads to protect the fresh and waste water tanks from freezing.
- 35,000 BTU furnace with larger 30-pound propane containers for upgraded forced air heat delivery.
Some of our favorite additional features of all Keystone Outback campers include seven-point auto leveling, chef-friendly kitchen layouts, a dual-ducted air conditioning system for added efficiency, and select SolarFlex packages (these differ depending on the model).
Featured Floor Plans:
Grand Design Reflection
Grand Design’s Reflection travel trailers represent their upscale, luxury offering. These are some of their most spacious floor plans with high-end touches like tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock brakes, and upgraded suspension. Their Arctic 4-Seasons Package is rated to keep these trailers safe and comfortable from 0℉ to 100℉. Here’s what you can expect:
- Fully laminated walls with rigid foam insulation to prevent uninsulated air gaps.
- A layer of fiberglass insulation and a second layer of radiant foil insulation stretch the full roof length.
- A high-performance propane furnace combined with an electric fireplace to deliver more than 30K BTUs of “heating power.”
- Radiant foil insulation in the heated underbelly and slide room floors.
- An additional layer of high-density foam insulation in the main floor.
- 12-volt holding tank heating pads that are wired into the RV thermostat for hands-free control.
- Ducted heating into the utility center and storage compartment.
- Radiant foil and fiberglass insulation wrapping from the roof down to the bottom of the front cap.
- Enclosed waste tank gate valves to ensure you can empty holding tanks without issues.
- Enclosed low-point drains to provide safer, easier winterization and dewinterization.
Additionally, Grand Design adds insulation to the heavy-duty storage compartment doors to reduce heat transfer around those open points. Some of the other luxury features that set the Reflection apart include onboard TravlFi Wi-Fi prep, a factory-installed roof ladder for easier access, and a solar package that includes a 180-watt roof-mounted solar panel, a 60-amp charge controller, and a solar disconnect switch.
Featured Floor Plans:
Jayco Jay Feather, Jay Feather Air, & Jay Feather Micro
Similar to the Eagle HT, Jayco’s Jay Feather, Jay Feather Air, and Jay Feather Micro travel trailer lineups are built to withstand cold weather camping. These 4 season RV travel trailers offer various floor plans and sizes.
When built with their specific packages, they feature the same Climate Shield protection you’ll find in the Eagle HT travel trailers. Those packages are labeled as the Jay Sport package for Jay Feather, the Jay Air package for Jay Feather Air, and the Jay Pro package for Jay Feather Micro travel trailers. Here are the standout features of that Climate Shield package:
- Double-layered fiberglass batt insulation in the floor and ceiling.
- Forced air ducted heating in the fully enclosed underbelly.
- Upgraded 35K BTU propane furnace and a 5K BTU electric fireplace (in select models).
- PEX-tested water lines
- Dual-sided reflective radiant barrier insulation behind the front cap and in the roof and floor.
Each model can also be upgraded with optional heated tank pads or 30-pound LP containers instead of the standard 20-pound containers. Because they are also built with on-demand tankless water heaters, there’s less concern about freezing temperatures damaging the six—or 10-gallon tank found on traditional RV water heaters.
Featured Floor Plans:
Grand Design Imagine, Imagine XLS, & Imagine AIM
Grand Design also manufactures their Imagine, Imagine XLS, and Imagine AIM travel trailers with construction features made to help them withstand colder weather. The 4-Seasons Protection package on each is identical and has been tested safe from 15℉ to 100℉, boasting the following features:
- A high-performance propane furnace to deliver efficient heat throughout the floor plans.
- Suspended holding tanks in the heated and enclosed underbelly.
- A designated heat register provides forced air heating to the subfloor.
- Heated and enclosed gate valves for the waste water holding tanks.
- A roof attic vent helps to prevent excessive moisture buildup.
Additional construction elements protect against cold weather, so here’s another quick breakdown:
- Double-insulated roof and front cap. A layer of radiant foil insulation and a second layer of fiberglass insulation extend along the entire roof length before wrapping all the way down to the bottom of the front cap.
- Double-insulated underbelly and floor. The fully enclosed and heated underbelly is finished with a radiant foil insulation layer, and the main floor gets an additional insulation layer.
- Fully laminated walls. The slide room roof, end walls, sidewalls, and rear wall have laminate construction with rigid foam insulation. Rigid foam helps prevent uninsulated air gaps from developing over time.
- Slide room floor insulation. The floors in the slide-outs boast radiant foil insulation.
One of the most attractive features of these Grand Design travel trailers is the sheer variety of floor plans and sizes available. They also stand out for adding features like ductless residential heating systems, motion-sensor entry lighting, and a roof-mounted solar panel.
Featured Floor Plans:
Technician Tip: Please note that testing for temperature ratings on these travel trailers is done in controlled environments. Therefore, they can’t account for additional environmental factors like humidity, wind, and altitude. Actual results may always vary in the field, adding importance to the extra precautions needed when winter RV camping.
Other Notable 4 Season RV Manufacturers
While you may not find as many of these campers stocked at your local Camping World, these manufacturers have a solid reputation for building high-quality four season travel trailers.
In addition, you may consider specialized boutique manufacturers, like those that build an off grid toy hauler.
How Cold Is Too Cold for a Travel Trailer?
The four season travel trailers we’ve listed above have been built and tested to remain safe and comfortable down to 0℉ or 15℉. However, most full-time campers who live in their RV in cold regions take additional steps to protect their water systems and waste plumbing from freezing temperatures.
In reality, most regular travel trailers aren’t built to withstand sustained freezing temperatures. While they may survive nights that occasionally dip below freezing, you’ll encounter issues if you’re trying to live in most travel trailers where the daytime highs barely eclipse 32℉ and nightly temperatures are frequently in the single digits.
While you’ll fare better with one of the best four season travel trailers, additional precautions must be taken, as illustrated below.
How Do You Winterize a Travel Trailer for Full-Time Living?
When you’re living in a travel trailer year-round, you won’t winterize your RV in the traditional sense—emptying all tanks, blowing out the lines, and adding antifreeze. However, you can take steps to further protect your camper from freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other environmental factors.
We’ve provided more extensive guides to winter RV skirting and protecting your camper for winter RV camping in other articles, but here are a few quick tips:
- Use a heated water hose. These plug into a 120VAC outlet to heat water as it enters your RV, reducing the chances of it freezing in the water lines.
- Avoid snow/ice accumulation. It’s best to safely ascend to your RV roof to remove snow and ice after each storm to prevent the added weight and moisture from damaging it.
- Add grip to your RV steps. It’s easy to overlook, but icy entry steps are notorious for causing injury to full-time RVers in colder regions. Add RV step rugs to give your steps more grip and improve your safety going in and out through the winter.
Every RV shopper has specific features they must have. Then, there are the nice-to-haves that often wind up making our decision when comparing similar campers. If a king-sized bed, washer and dryer prep, or solar panels are your non-negotiables, here are a few helpful resources:
- Travel Trailers with King Beds
- Travel Trailers with Washer and Dryer Prep
- Travel Trailer with Solar Panels
What are you looking for in a 4 season travel trailer? Let us know in the comments below.