Top 10 All Weather RV's

Keystone Montana

If you’re like most people in the country right now, you probably feel like winter has come fast. We went from balmy, sticky summer-like temperatures to frosted windows and being able to see your own breath almost overnight.

Yes, we had a few fall days thrown in there, but for the most part, it seems like we skipped fall and went right from summer to winter. With December nearly here, the temperatures will probably only continue to get colder instead of warmer.

I’ve already discussed how not every RV is meant for days out in the icy tundra. Most RVs require what’s called an arctic package, which includes insulation and other heating elements for the comfort of the driver and their passengers.

There are some RVs that are indeed designed just for cold-weather driving, though. These are the vehicles that can brave below-freezing temperatures, icy winds, and even snowy conditions. Whether you live in an environment where the weather is often bitterly cold or you want to spend your winters in your RV rather than keeping it in storage, these 10 vehicles are made for you.

If you’re looking for a great cold-weather RV, you might try renting one first while it’s cool outside. Outdoorsy is a great site for finding an RV or camper to rent in your local area.

10. Windjammer 3008W Travel Trailer

Travel trailers are ideal for beginners still getting used to the RV life, and the Windjammer 3008W Travel Trailer does not disappoint. With room for up to five beds, you can feel free to bring your best friends or family.

With a 7,482-pound ship weight and an 897-pound hitch weight, this trailer is not exactly lightweight, but it will keep you toasty. Its large size lends itself space for a black water tank that can hold 45 gallons as well as a gray water tank with a 75-gallon capacity and a freshwater tank with a 45-gallon capacity.

Other notable features are the two slides, wardrobe in the master bedroom space, linen closet, 44-inch dinette space, oven with microwave hookups, gas grill connector, and outdoor awning. There’s even a collapsible table in the master bedroom, which has room for a bed that measures 60×10.

The winter driving features that make this trailer worth using are:

Insulation across the whole trailer
Electronically-controlled heated holding tanks
Thermo-pane window upgrades
Heated mattress in the master bedroom area
Fireplace upgrade
Floor-ducted furnace
Vent cover and Maxxaire ventilation fan

Pros: There’s a lot of features in this trailer. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much, but if you’re a fan of camper trailers and you love to drive in the winter, the Windjammer may soon become your new favorite.

Cons: This vehicle is heavy, as mentioned, especially for a camper trailer. It’s also quite lengthy, so you’ll have to be a more experienced driver to maneuver it.

9. Jayco Redhawk 26XD

The beauty and warmth of the Jayco Redhawk 26XD knows no bounds, especially if you get a newer model like a 2017 or 2018. Those models of the Redhawk have up to five floorplans available. All feature a Ford chassis, linen closets, an eight cubic-foot refrigerator, a 13-foot awning, and a walk-around queen bed.

There’s plenty of space for more! You can realistically fit the following in there:

A queen bed
A spacious linen closet
A full bathroom, including a shower, toilet, and sink
A microwave, kitchen countertop, upper shelving, and a large sink
A two-seater sofa
A television towards the driver’s seat

Okay, all that’s great, but what about staying warm in the winter? Between the 55-gallon fuel tank, six-gallon water heater, and 30-BTU auto-ignition furnace, you’ll be sure to feel toasty each day you spend in this gorgeous RV. With sleeping room for eight passengers, you’ll want to be out with your friends or family on the road whenever you get the chance.

Pros: What’s not to love? The Redhawk is practically like living in a mini apartment, and you can heat it up to sustain you during the colder days.

Cons: Unless you have nearly $100,000 to spend for a new Redhawk, you’ll have to go with an older model, which may not have as many luxury features.

8. Lance 4 Seasons Travel Trailer

Certified for warm-weather and cold-weather driving, the Lance 4 Seasons Travel Trailer is another awesome choice for wintertime journeys. Here’s an overview of its seasonal features:

Insulated hatch covers, which can be snapped on or off depending on how cold it is outside. The covers are intended to prevent the cold from invading your RV, keeping you and your passengers comfy and happy.
Azdel insulation, which replaces wood. This thermoplastic composite insulation stops the mildew, mold, and rot that often develops when wood is exposed to wet and wintry conditions for too long. Not only that, but this insulation adds soundproofing, too!
A water heater bypass, which is winterized for cold-weather use.
A ducted heating system made by Lance manufacturers themselves. This has hold tanks that can direct flow to the whole vehicle so each room is adequately and equally warmed.
Dual pane insulated tinted windows that also have soundproofing qualities.

Pros: With so much insulation, you don’t have to worry about being cold ever again if you’re driving a Lance RV. The soundproofing is just icing on the cake.

Cons: None. Lance’s 4 Seasons package is also available for toy trailers and truck campers, giving you lots of versatility.

7. Forest River Arctic Wolf

With six floorplan options, the Arctic Wolf from Forest River fits the needs of most RV enthusiasts. The biggest model weighs more than 10,000 pounds, with a hitch weight of 1,452 pounds at most. These vehicles also have a max width of 35 feet and a max height of 11 feet.

Moving on to the features, you can either choose the Arctic Package of the Extreme Weather Package for your wintertime adventures. Let’s unpack them both.

Arctic Package

Upper bunk windows
Solar wiring and prep
A pullout kitchen faucet
Capabilities for an outside TV bracket and outside shower
A home entertainment system
Friction hinge entry doors
Dinette drawers

Extreme Weather Package

Upgraded arctic insulation
Racetrack ducted air conditioning
A Quick Cool Fantastic Fan
Insulated upper decking
A high-circulation ceiling fan
An enclosed and heated underbelly
Enhanced fiberglass high-gloss sidewalls
A furnace that can run at 35,000 BTUs

Pros: The Extreme Weather Package definitely makes the Forest River Arctic Wolf worth owning. You’ll be completely insulated and comfortable no matter how freezing cold it is outside.

Cons: The hefty weight of this vehicle may make it a challenge for some beginner RV drivers, especially when making turns, parking, and other tough maneuvers.

6. Jayco 327CKTS Eagle

Another great Jayco cold weather RV is the 327CKTS Eagle, which I’ll call Eagle for short. The latest model, new for 2018, includes a 21-cubic foot refrigerator, a 60”x80” queen bed, walk-in closets with shelving, a washer and dryer, and a TV chest.

You’ll also get a 19-foot outdoor awning, a full bathroom (with a shower, toilet, sink, and linen closet), steps, a kitchen hutch with a second sink and closet space, an L-shaped sofa, and extra recliners.

Want more? You can choose from interior décor packages that will make this RV feel just like home. There are also these optional features:

Dual pane frameless tinted safety glass windows
The Dry Camping Package, which adds extra LP capacity and storage
The Sani-con Turbo Waste Management System
The Girard Gen3 Tankless Water Heater, which includes a digital thermostat
A second power awning

Pros: As mentioned above, the Jayco brand is especially well-known for its four-season options. The luxury additions in the 2018 Eagle take RV living to another level. Like some of the other RVs on this list, you’ll be so comfortable you might want to stay on the road forever.

Cons: Unless you shell out several thousand dollars for the new Eagle, the above features may not be included.

5. Heartland Bighorn

This won’t be the first Heartland RV featured on this list, and for good reason. This is one of the top manufacturers of all-weather vehicles, and the Bighorn lives up to the hype. This camper trailer has nearly a dozen floorplans (yes, you read that right), so no matter your budget or space limitations, you should be able to find a Bighorn that fits your needs.

The sizing of these varies, with the biggest more than 14,000 pounds (dry weight), a hitch weight of nearly 3,000 pounds, and a length of nearly 45 feet.

Most floorplans include the following toasty features:

An insulated in-roof A/C duct system
A furnace that runs at 42,000 BTUs
A below-floor heating duct that’s a single piece
R-14 upper deck flooring insulation values, R-38 main flooring and radiant insulation values, R-34 roofing insulation values, and R-11 wall insulation values
An insulated, heated underbelly

With Plumb-PLEX water lines, you’ll enjoy a bathroom just like back at home. The laminated flooring, fiberglass walls, and tinted dark windows make this vehicle look sleek. Sleep better in the cozy bedroom with a pull-out storage drawer, headboard, extra storage shelves, bedroom ceiling lights, memory foam mattress and king-sized bed, and a built-in closet.

Pros: The above are just the tip of the iceberg. The level of detail and craftsmanship that Heartland put into the Bighorn is astounding. Also, the number of floorplans available will impress any RV lover.

Cons: There’s practically no way to go wrong with the Heartland Bighorn.

4. Keystone Raptor

Yet another camper trailer of note is the Keystone Raptor. All the same features you expect from the Keystone brand, such as a fantastic arctic package, are here. You also get some extras.

For instance, there are eight floorplans of the Raptor to choose from. You’ll get the same rooms, like the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, as well as handy storage space, but each is arranged somewhat differently.

The MaxFlo zone-controlled air conditioner runs at 15,000 BTUs and is one of the standout cold-weather features.

Pros: If you want a Keystone camper trailer, the Raptor is a reliable choice. With many floorplans available and plenty of heating features, you’ll spend more time out driving in the winter than ever before.

Cons: None. This is one beloved cold-weather RV option.

3. Heartland LM Arlington

The Heartland LM Arlington comes equipped with the Yeti Extreme Cold Weather Package, one of the most popular arctic packages out there. Of course, this feature is optional, but it’s not one you’re going to want to skip.

Not only that, but with home and away packages, your vehicle will be in stellar shape no matter how often you drive it. Here are some of the features that come standard with the core package:

A power tilt bed as well as bedroom reading lights
A stainless-steel oven, high-rise coffee table, and lockable safe
A backlit tile backsplash
Soft tables
USB ports, an 80-amp convertor, and a 1,000-watt invertor with surge protectors
A multi-plex lighting system

You can also add fun perks like a 40-inch exterior TV, Alumi-Guard awnings, slide room awnings, an included dishwasher, and a bathroom fan.

With a dry weight of 15,170 pounds, a hitch weight of 3,100 pounds, and a carry capacity of 2,780 pounds, this isn’t the lightest vehicle on the list. The Heartland also has an eight-foot width and a height of more than 13 feet.

Pros: The inclusion of the Yeti Extreme Cold Weather Package with the Heartland LM Arlington is by far the biggest benefit compared to the other RVs on this list. When it comes to four-season RVs, the Heartland’s Yeti package comes up again and again. It’s undoubtedly one of the best arctic packages available.

Cons: The Yeti Extreme Cold Weather Package is not included with a Heartland LM Arlington. You will have to pay extra for it, so that might make it an expensive investment.

2. Northwood Arctic Fox

Few cold weather campers are as beloved as the Arctic Fox from Northwood. That’s with good reason, too: this baby is loaded with features. Let’s delve into some, shall we?

USB and 12-volt chargers in the bedroom, which also includes a TruRest queen mattress and bedspread as well as carpeting
A full tub with a retractable, hide-away shower screen enclosure and a bath skylight
A foot-pedal porcelain toilet
Fan vents in the bedroom
Skylights with shade in the kitchen, as well as a 10-cubic foot extra-large fridge with multiple raised panels
An included microwave with a range cover
A booth dinette and a jackknife sofa, complete with decorative throw pillows
A digital thermostat and second charge wizard
Carbon monoxide, liquefied petroleum gas, and smoke detectors
A 19-inch LED TV with an included DVD/CD player with Bluetooth capabilities
Roller bearing drawer glides
15-inch aluminum wheels with included shocks for all wheels
Four-season foam insulation throughout; the ceiling insulation is R-18 equivalent

Phew! As you can see, you’d be living in the lap of luxury when on road trips. You can also add extras, like rear view cameras, solar panels, generators, holding tank heating pads, thermal pane windows, kitchen and bathroom fan vents, and an Alumaguard main awning.

Pros: Not only is Northwood one of the most renowned brands for cold weather RVs, but their Artic Fox doesn’t skimp at all on the luxury features. You’ll be so comfortable you might never want the road trip to end!

Cons: Like some of the other RVs on this list, for all the luxury features you’ll enjoy, you’re going to pay thousands of dollars. The 2017 and 2018 models are both priced in the $58,000 range, and older models won’t be too much cheaper.

1. Keystone Montana

The Montana luxury fifth-wheel trailer is so renowned, that a Keystone employee spent all year living in one. This vehicle has a nearly 15-year reputation of excellence and is a huge seller for Keystone.

In the experiment, the Keystone technician went to LaGrange, Indiana, where the temperatures often drop into the negatives. The technician would run the Montana’s test chamber at a freezing 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Why? Because they could. They also ran the temperature at a much more habitable 72 degrees to see if the Montana could stand up to LaGrange’s horrible cold.

Of course, the test worked. That’s because the Montana includes:

A dual thermostat and remote sensor with a ducted second A/C made of frame and wire
Free-flow air conditioning at 15k BTUs
Heated city water low point drains and a heated exterior convenience center
12v electric tank heaters
In-floor water lines
Dump valves and holding tanks that are insulated and enclosed
A heated underbelly that is also insulated and enclosed
A fully-vented attic system
A foam core straight line heat duct system that’s 3”x14”
Auto-ignition 35,000 BTU furnace
Radiant technology insulated roof that’s an R-38 equivalent
Insulated double layer supported fiberglass sidewalls that are R-11 equivalent
Insulated slideout floors that are R-15 equivalent
An insulated main floor that’s R-21 equivalent

Pros: When it comes to staying warm inside your RV even though it’s freezing cold outside, few options are better than the Keystone Montana. This vehicle is made from figurative head to toe to withstand the cold and keep drivers and passengers comfortable.

Cons: The price of this vehicle may be a bit much for newer RV enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Winter is coming, but that doesn’t mean your RV has to go into storage until the springtime. Instead, if you’re feeling the itch to do some cold-weather driving, consider any of the 10 RVs on this list. While some are weightier and more expensive than others, all of them make a fantastic choice for RV lovers who want to spend the winters in their vehicles.

Guest Author

Nicole Malczan

Nicole Malczan is a content marketing writer and freelancer. She's applied her knowledge of marketing and SEO to many clients over the years, ranging from foodservice to facilities management and currency exchange. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, and music.

Articles

Top 10 All Weather RV’s