Why You Don’t Need an R-Value for RV Skirting

by Mike Letendre | Sep 19, 2021 | EZ Snap, News & Announcements, RV Skirting

1. Any R-Value savings are much smaller the closer the outside temperature is to the inside temperature.

When the temperature dips below zero, the area under an RV is typically kept just above the freezing point by an electric heater. Because of this, the temperature differential between outside and inside air is very small, as is the heated cubic square footage under the RV. This is unlike a house, where inside temperatures are typically kept at 70 degrees or more and where the cubic square footage is about 2500% larger than that of an RV’s.

2. RV skirting would need to be very thick to produce any significant energy savings.

R-Value is the resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material. For example, a typical home in the USA has wall insulation of R-11 to R-15. Your RV Skirting would need to have a sewn-in insulation that is 4 to 5 inches thick to achieve this R-value. Most RV Skirting that claims to be insulated is less than a half an inch thick. At this thickness, there is only the illusion of an R-value.

3. Stopping air movement is 10 times more important than R-Value for RV skirting.

What good is wearing a winter coat if you have the zipper undone? The most important way to retain heat and keep cold air out is a barrier to air-flow (RV Skirting), not insulation. As long as the warm air is contained under the RV and the majority of the cooler outside air is kept out, adding insulation to the skirting is a waste of money. The barrier to airflow created by the skirting is really all that is needed.

4. If you are in an extreme winter climate what is the best way to add R-Value to your skirting.

As mentioned above, the sewn-in variety of insulation (ie: Poly-fill or reflective bubble wrap) adds very little value to RV skirting and is not necessary in 90% of RV skirting projects. The exception to this rule is if the RV is wintering in an extremely cold area where temperatures are commonly 15 degrees or more below freezing. In this situation you will want to have both RV skirting and an insulated barrier of rigid Styrofoam board. Rigid Styrofoam insulation board is by far the most effective way to get a higher R-value without adding a lot of thickness.

Typically this board has an R-value of R5 per inch of thickness. The best variety of this board is extruded polystyrene foam board, also called blue or pink board in the big box stores. To use this board with your skirting, build a frame work under the RV using inexpensive 2” x 2” lumber, then attach the foam board to the framework. Once the foam board is in place, then you can install your RV skirting to seal the warm air in and the cold air out.

5. The best heat source to use under your RV skirting.

In warm climates many RV’ers use a 100 watt light bulb to create a heat source, but there is a much safer and efficient way to heat the area under your skirting . Use one or two thermostatically controlled space heaters with a built-in fan under the RV. In longer RVs, place a heater at each end of the RV facing the opposite end. Turn the thermostat control to just above the point of freezing. When the temperature dips down close to the freezing point, the heaters come on and blow warm air around the entire area underneath the RV. This is a very safe and efficient heat source, as it is only using energy when needed. Be sure to see the heaters we recommend on the EZ Snap RV skirting product page at https://ezsnapdirect.com/products/rv-skirting/.

Announcing Our Latest ‘Win Your Purchase’ Contest Winners

by Mike Letendre | Feb 14, 2020 | EZ Snap, News & Announcements

We’re happy to announce the latest winners of our ‘Win Your Purchase’ contest.

Congratulations to James and Paula Trisdale!

Here’s their winning review:

“We found EZ Snap skirting online, and watched their videos and were very interested. So we called customer service, and they couldn’t have been more helpful.

They took their time, explained how the product worked, how it was to be installed, how to measure the RV. Despite our many questions they were very patient with us.

We ordered the EZ Snap skirting, followed their instructions, and it installed exactly like they said.

It helps keep the RV warm and looks good too.”

Awesome job on your installation James and Paula, it looks great!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and if you didn’t win this time, don’t worry. Your entry will be automatically included in our next ‘Win Your Purchase’ contest!

How Does RV Skirting Work?

by Mike Letendre | Jan 31, 2020 | EZ Snap, RV Skirting

RV skirting keeps the undercarriage of an RV warm by sealing it off from the outside air.

Once the air underneath an RV is contained it can be heated, which is what protects the pipes and tanks.

RV skirting acts like a container for heat.

If you were to put a heater under your RV without any skirting on, there would be no benefit because the heat would blow away.

Is RV skirting worth the cost?

If you full-time in an RV during the winter, think of RV skirting as an investment in peace of mind.

The main issue for RVs in cold temperatures is that the pipes can freeze.

Water expands when it freezes so if there is water inside a pipe that freezes then there’s a good chance it will burst.

And if it’s cold enough for the water to freeze, then it also could mean that the pipes have burst in multiple spots.

Even more frustrating is that calling a plumber for RV repairs is not easy because a lot don’t work on RVs.

Taking your RV to a repair shop is an option, but it’s expensive and a huge hassle if you live in it full time.

Having burst pipes also means living without running water until the repairs are done.

Installing skirting is the most effective way of protecting your RV.

Why do pipes freeze on an RV?

Most RV’s are not designed for winter living so the pipes are usually either exposed or not insulated enough.

The pipes found in a house are usually well protected, so it’s a lot harder for them to reach freezing temperatures.

Winter living in an RV usually requires a lot of customization and DIY solutions.

What if my RV has an arctic or four season package?

Even with a cold weather upgrade your RV may still be at risk.

That’s because there is no industry standard for RV winter package options so they can vary wildly in quality.

Some can live out the winter with no problems, and others can get frozen pipes despite having an arctic option.

Unless you know someone who has the same model and has gone through a winter with no issues, it can be hard to know if your RV will be able to withstand freezing temperatures.

How does RV skirting prevent pipes from freezing?

RV skirting works by enclosing the air underneath your RV.

Once you have enclosed that air, you can warm it up and the heat won’t dissipate because it’s been contained.

RV skirting acts like a barrier from the cold air outside and a container for the warm air inside.

Is insulated RV skirting worth it?

This is one of the biggest RV skirting misconceptions.

RV skirting does not need to be insulated or have any R-value.

The effectiveness of insulation is measured in R-value.

It’s the measurement for a material’s resistance to heat flow.

The higher the R-value, the better the material is at blocking the flow of heat.

The issue with R-value and RV skirting is that you don’t need any R-value at all to prevent frozen pipes.

The most important job of RV skirting is to stop air infiltration.

Air infiltration is the passage of air in or out of an enclosed space.

Stopping air infiltration on an RV is done by sealing off the bottom with skirting.

Once the air is trapped it can be heated.

That heated, contained air is what protects the pipes from freezing.

The main reason why you don’t need R-value for RV skirting is because you don’t need to keep your RV underbelly as warm the interior of the RV.

No one is living under there, so the temperature doesn’t need to be kept in the 70s.

It just needs to be kept warm enough so that nothing will freeze.

Imagine leaving the windows and doors open in a house in the middle of winter.

It wouldn’t matter how good the insulation is, the house would be freezing because the cold air is coming inside.

A house can only get warm and stay warm by sealing it off from the air outside.

RV skirting works in the same way.

Once the air is sealed off it can be heated.

Insulated RV skirting, or sometimes called quilted RV skirting, doesn’t provide any meaningful extra protection.

The thickness of insulation found in insulated RV skirting is too thin to make any real difference in R-value.

The job is RV skirting is to stop air infiltration, so to pay extra for insulation that doesn’t do a whole lot is not worth the extra expense.

Now that I have RV skirting, what next?

First, mount the skirting so that there aren’t any large openings or gaps where cold air can get in.

Second, place two temperature controlled heaters at both ends of the RV and set them to just above freezing.

This way they only turn on and stay on as long as needed to warm things up.

Place them on cookie trays so they aren’t sitting directly on the ground and invest in heaters that have a tip-over safety switch as well.

Does RV skirting have any other benefits?

There are lots of advantages to having skirting. It’s the type of investment that pays for itself in a variety of ways.

Here are just a few of the benefits from having RV skirting:

A warmer, more comfortable living space
Save money on propane costs
Use your tanks all winter
Prevent tire dry rot
Extra storage
Protect pipes from freezing

More comfortable living space

Keeping the underside of your RV above freezing will help keep your RV warmer too.

Sealing off the underside of an RV essentially creates an extra layer of insulation.

Warmer floors and a warmer cabin can make a big difference in comfort during the winter months.

Save money on propane

It goes without saying that because your floor and cabin are kept warmer by skirting, you’ll have to spend less to heat your RV.

Any RVer who’s ever full-timed through an extremely cold winter knows how much propane one family can go through just to stay warm.

By skirting an RV, that cost can be cut down.

Add that up year after year and it can be a significant savings.

Use your tanks all winter

Some RVers will winterize their rig so they don’t have to worry about frozen pipes.

That involves draining all the pipes and tanks, blowing them out to remove any water and then filling the lines with antifreeze.

It’s a way to guarantee no frozen pipes, but it also means living without running water.

That means frequent trips to get water and lugging it back to the RV, as well as only being able to use the on-site bathroom and shower.

Using RV skirting gives you the freedom to be able to use your tanks all winter.

Prevent RV tire dry rot

Tire dry rot is one of the most common problems for RVers.

It’s when a tire dries out and cracks, making it unsafe to drive on.

Once a tire has dry rot there’s no way to undo it.

Dry rot happens in RV tires for two main reasons:

When tires are exposed to direct sunlight (UV rays) for long periods of time and when tires don’t get moved often enough.

Direct exposure to UV is a major factor for tire degradation.

Having RV tires sitting in direct sunlight for months on end will dry them out and accelerate dry rot.

Covering tires from harmful UV rays is one of the best ways to prevent dry rot.

If you are skirting your RV, make sure that your skirting covers your tires as well.

This one small step can extend the life of your tires by years.

Moving your tires regularly can also help prevent dry rot.

Tires are designed to be driven and there are compound resins in a tire that get released when they’re used that keep them pliable.

If you are using an RV skirting, choose one that can be easily removed and mounted again so that you can periodically move your RV and take it on the road.

This will release those compound resins and keep it flexible.

Having RV skirting that’s easy to remove and remount will make this step a lot easier.

Combining these two preventative measures together, using RV skirting and moving your RV regularly, will help stop tire dry rot in its tracks.

More storage

Space is always an issue with RV living.

By skirting an RV, you now have the entire undercarriage to use as a storage space.

What materials to use for do-it-yourself RV Skirting?

RV skirting is anything that seals off the undercarriage of an RV.

There is no standard type of RV skirting, so a lot of different types of materials can be used.

The most common materials used for do-it-yourself RV skirting are:

Rigid foam insulation panels
Sheets of plywood
Hay bales
Snow
Vinyl skirting

Rigid Foam Insulation

Using rigid foam insulation boards is one of the most popular choices for RV skirting.

It’s inexpensive, easy to cut and easy to install.

The biggest problem with foam insulation is that the panels are so light they can easily blow off.

They need extra reinforcement to keep them attached.

That’s done by building a frame and then mounting the foam panels to it.

If your RV park has rules about aesthetics you’ll also need to put in some extra work because the insulation panels can be an eyesore on their own.

It’s the type of project that is a lot of work up front and only makes sense if you are staying in one spot for years.

If you see yourself moving at any point in the near future it would likely mean leaving your frame and insulation behind as it would be too big to bring with you.

Plywood

Installing large sheets of plywood is another common option for skirting.

It’s durable, fairly inexpensive and readily available.

Because plywood is heavy, it doesn’t need a frame built for it like foam insulation.

There also isn’t a lot of skill or tools required so it can be mounted quickly and easily.

A lot of home improvement stores will even cut your plywood for free.

But just like with the foam board, plywood can be unsightly as well and may require extra work to meet RV park standards.

Plywood is extremely heavy, so it’s another option that would only make sense to use if you never planned on moving.

Hay Bales

Hay bales are extremely affordable and insulate well, so a lot of people use them for RV skirting.

However, hay bales aren’t recommended because they have two very large drawbacks.

First, they are a fire hazard.

Hay is extremely flammable.

It doesn’t take much to set it ablaze, and the fire can move from bale to bale quickly making it very dangerous to use as skirting.

Second, hay also attracts vermin.

Using it could mean inviting a mouse infestation and all the issues that come with that.

Hay may be extremely inexpensive, but it’s not worth putting your safety at risk.

Snow

By far the cheapest skirting material you could use is snow.

It’s totally free, and by piling and packing snow around the base of the house it can be an effective skirting.

But it only works if you have enough snow all winter long.

There aren’t a lot of options if the temperature drops to freezing and there’s no snow on the ground.

It’s the kind of solution that works well when everything is the best case scenario, but that’s taking a big risk.

You don’t want to find yourself having to build a makeshift skirting in the freezing cold in the middle of winter.

The money you save by using snow might not be worth the stress and hassle that comes with it.

Vinyl

The best value for price and performance is using vinyl as your skirting.

Vinyl skirting for an RV is the most practical solution because it’s lightweight versatile, and looks great when it’s installed.

It’s easy to customize to fit your RV and terrain, and if you ever plan on moving spots it can be rolled up and brought along for the ride without taking up a lot of space.

There are a lot of varieties of skirting available, with multiple different ways to mount it, so it can be hard to know what is the best choice.

EZ Snap makes the process of buying RV skirting easy.

All you have to do is measure the length of your RV, enter your numbers into the kit size calculator and order the appropriate kit from their website.

Installing EZ Snap is straightforward and can be done in as little as a day.

RV skirting is what will protect your RV from freezing, so think of it as a long term investment that is worth your time and money.

Shade Kit Size Calculator for Window, Skylight, RV & Boat

by Mike Letendre | Dec 12, 2019 | Boat Shades, EZ Snap, News & Announcements, RV Shades, Skylight Shades, Window Shades

We are proud to announce the launch of our brand new EZ Snap Shade Kit Size Calculator.

“What size window shade kit do I need?”

It’s the first question most people ask themselves when they want shade screen and figuring out the answer used to be difficult and time-consuming.

Now, our new calculator will instantly let you know what size kit you need, how many fasteners you need and how to cut your mesh in the most efficient way.

If your project is for an RV, boat or skylight you can use the exact same calculator.

All you need is the measurements (in inches) of the windows or skylights that need EZ Snap shade screen.

If you don’t know how to measure your window, there are a few things to consider.

The first step is to determine where you want to mount your fasteners.

You can mount your EZ Snap shade screen on the window frame, on the trim or on the siding.

If you are planning on using the adhesive fasteners, you will need a 1 inch wide, smooth mounting surface.

For people who have a domed skylight and aren’t sure how to measure it, start where you will be mounting your fasteners and measure across the dome itself.

Once you have the height and width for your windows or skylights, add an extra 2 inches to all your measurements.

Your shade mesh will be mounted an inch past your fasteners, so adding 2 more inches in height and width will account for the extra shade mesh needed on the top and bottom, and both sides.

Now that you have your measurements, enter the numbers in the appropriate fields.

If you have multiple windows of the same size you have the option to change the quantity.

Next, enter your email address and press Calculate.

Our program will analyze your measurements and will let you know the recommended size of shade kit, how many fasteners you need (in total, as well as how many per window) and how to cut your mesh.

You will also get the results emailed to you to have as a guide when it comes time for your installation.

You can see there is a category called ‘Max fastener spacing’. The calculator takes into account the size of your window and will automatically adjust your required fastener spacing.

We recommend a maximum of 10 inch spacing between fasteners for windows under 25 square feet (which is most windows). If your window is 25 square feet or larger, then you will need a maximum of 5 inch spacing.

We also recommend placing an extra fastener on all four of your window corners.

There is going to be more force on the fasteners in the corners, so placing two in every corner and offsetting them will give twice the holding power and will help keep your mesh secure and problem-free. Our calculator automatically adds an extra 4 fasteners to every window.

You can see the results below include an easy to follow cutting guide where all the different windows are labeled and have their measurements included.

No more guessing, no more math, just enter in your window or skylight measurements and find out exactly what you need to order.

Follow this link to try our calculator for yourself!

How Much EZ Snap Window Shades Can Lower the Home Temperature?

by Mike Letendre | Mar 8, 2019 | Exterior Window Shades, EZ Snap, News & Announcements

How much of a difference will EZ Snap make?

It’s a common question that we get. People want to know that a product will deliver if they are going to spend their hard earned money on it.

So, if you ever wondered what kind of temperature difference EZ Snap exterior shade screen can make then you’ll want to read this.

It’s already well known that the best way to cut down on heat is to use exterior shade.

The reason why it’s such an effective method at reducing solar heat gain is because it stops the heat from entering the house.

It’s why window blinds and drapes are not effective at keeping a house cool. They are on the wrong side of the glass.

Windows are typically the source for up to 48% of the heat build up inside a home, and blinds can only knock down a fraction of that.

That’s because when your shade is on the inside of the glass, then the heat has already gotten inside the house and you are fighting a losing battle.

The key is to stop the solar heat from ever getting inside the house in the first place, and that is what exterior shade provides.

EZ Snap exterior shades can stop up to 90% of solar heat, which means you will get a more comfortable space and a lower energy bill.

As for what kind of difference that means in temperature, here are some customer reviews of our shades that show what our shade kits can do.

Window Shade Temperature Difference

James wrote to us because he was ready to install another AC unit before finding EZ Snap.

“I have been searching for years for an inexpensive way to cool my upstairs.

I was almost ready to put in a second HVAC system when I stumbled upon EZ Snap. The windows face west and they get pummeled by the sun.

I just installed these and with my thermal imaging camera there is a 23 degree difference between the window with the solar shade and the one without.

I could not even believe it. I went back every hour to check and it was still the same readings!

The install was super easy and it actually looks decent. I was worried they would look like covers over the windows but they appear more like thick window screens.

Hopefully they hold up long term, but for the price you really can’t beat it! Thank you so much!”

We also get a lot of people who call to tell us about their hot skylights.

The difference that one skylight with a lot of sun exposure can make to a room is astounding.

We’ve heard from customers who tell us they’ve abandoned entire rooms because of how unbearable they can get from a hot skylight.

With EZ Snap skylight shades, you can get your house back.

Skylight Shade Temperature Difference

Here’s a customer review from Bob G. that shows the temperature difference EZ Snap made in their kitchen:

“Our kitchen has a number of southern facing windows plus skylights. When the outside temperature got more than 90 degrees – the kitchen would get into the high 80’s.

We ordered enough for two skylights and four windows with the EZ Snap system. Shipping was super fast and the packaging was well done.

The system was super simple to install. The install took about two hours, including going up and down on the roof.

After we installed, the temperature in the kitchen stayed in the 70’s even as it got to 90 degrees outside. Take a look at the picture – you can see the outside temp is 93 degrees, while it is a cool 76 degrees inside.”

With that kind of temperature swing, EZ Snap shades end paying for themselves through lower energy costs.

Follow this link if you would like more information about our line of shade products.

The Ultimate Guide For Skirting Your Tiny House

by Mike Letendre | Feb 21, 2019 | EZ Snap, News & Announcements, Tiny House

Window Shades

Skylight Shades

RV Skirting

RV Shades

Boat Shades

The movement for living small is rapidly growing.

As more people are moving into tiny homes to live year round, those living in colder climates are finding they have their own unique challenges that come with living in the cold.

One of the biggest issues they face is keeping their house safe during freezing temperatures.

The tanks and pipes for these homes are usually under the carriage and they are susceptible to freezing if the temperature gets low enough.

Because water expands as it freezes, if the pipes freeze they could burst.

Repairs are expensive and a hassle, and it also means going without water until everything is fixed.

The best way to protect your tiny home from freezing is to put a RV skirting on the base of it.

A skirt is a material that wraps around the base of the home, sealing off the undercarriage.

By enclosing the area under the home, it keeps the cold air out and allows you to warm up the enclosed air.

That’s basically all skirting is, a way to close off the undercarriage of your tiny house so you can keep it warm enough to prevent it from freezing.

As for what material to use, because the tiny house market is such a custom industry there is a lot of different information out there and it can be hard to know what to pick.

There is an idea that you need to use a material with a high R-value to be able to effectively skirt your home. This is not necessarily true.

While it certainly doesn’t hurt, you don’t need a material with a high R-value because you don’t need the undercarriage to be as a warm as your house.

All you need is to keep it warm enough to stop your pipes from freezing.

A nice bonus from using skirting is that your floors will stay warmer. Most of the cold in a tiny home is coming up through the floor, so having a warmer undercarriage means reducing your heating costs and staying more comfortable.

If you have decided that you want to skirt your tiny home, the next decision to make is what materials to use.

Chances are if you live in a tiny house you are a seasoned DIYer, and there are no shortage of do it yourself options.

The most common materials used for do-it-yourself tiny house skirting are:

Rigid foam insulation panels
Sheets of plywood
Hay bales
Snow
Vinyl skirting

Rigid Foam Insulation

Using rigid foam insulation boards is one of the most popular choices for skirting a tiny house.

It’s inexpensive, easy to cut and easy to install.

The biggest problem with foam insulation is that the panels are so lightweight that they can easily blow off unless you build extra reinforcement.

This is typically done by building a frame and then attaching the panels to it.

If you care about aesthetics you’ll also need to put in some extra work because the insulation panels can be an eyesore on their own.

It’s the type of project that is a lot of work up front, but if you are planning to spend years in one spot then you can just leave it up and not have to worry about it.

If you foresee yourself moving at any point in the near future, however, it would most likely mean leaving your frame and insulation behind as it would be too big and heavy to bring with you.

Plywood

Buying and cutting large sheets of plywood is another common option for skirting.

It’s durable, fairly inexpensive and is available everywhere.

Because plywood is heavy, it also doesn’t necessarily need a frame built for it.

There also isn’t a lot of skill or tools required so it can be done by pretty much anyone.

A lot of home improvement stores will even cut your plywood for free provided the cuts are straight and simple.

But like with the foam board, plywood can be unsightly as well.

Large panels of bare plywood that are leaning against your tiny home is not the look most people want.

To make it look seamless to your home, this too would require a frame to attach it to and paint and trim to make it look natural.

And because plywood is extremely heavy, it would only make sense to use if you never planned on moving.

The other thing to consider is that many tiny homes move as you walk through them, and if you have plywood mounted on the outside it can scratch and damage the exterior.

Hay Bales

For a lower cost option, a lot of people recommend using hay bales.

They are cheap, abundant and they work very well as insulation material.

However, hay bales have two very large drawbacks.

First, they are a fire hazard.

Hay is extremely flammable and it doesn’t take much to set it ablaze.

Second, hay also attracts vermin.

Using it could mean inviting a mouse infestation and all the issues that come with that.

Hay may be extremely inexpensive, but it’s not worth putting your safety at risk.

Snow

By far the cheapest skirting material you could use is snow.

It’s totally free, and by piling and packing snow around the base of the house it acts as an effective insulator.

But it only works if you have enough snow all winter long.

If the temperature hits freezing but there’s no snow on the ground, you are going to be in trouble and without a lot of options.

It’s the kind of solution that works well when everything is the best case scenario, but as we all know life rarely operates like that.

You don’t want to find yourself having to build a makeshift skirting in the freezing cold in the dead of winter.

The money you save by using snow might not be worth the stress and hassle that comes with it.

Vinyl

The best value for price and performance is using vinyl as your skirting.

Vinyl skirting for your tiny home makes the most sense because of how lightweight and versatile it is.

It’s easy to customize to fit your house and terrain, and if you ever plan on moving spots you can roll it up and take it with you.

There are a lot of varieties of skirting available, and it can be hard to know what is the best choice for your tiny house.

EZ Snap makes the process of buying vinyl skirting easy.

All you have to do is measure the length and height of your tiny home’s undercarriage and order the appropriate kit from their website.

Installing EZ Snap is straightforward and can be done in as little as a day.

Not every home and situation is the same, and it’s important to do as much research as you can before choosing a skirting for your tiny house.

What works for one person may not necessarily work for you.

Skirting is what will protect your home from freezing, so think of it as a long term investment that is worth your time and money.

Tiny Home Skirting Review

Ez Snap is a surprisingly thin but durable vinyl. I have been using foam boards year round for 6 years and finally upgraded.

My EZ snap installation took 2 days for an 8×24’ trailer… Overall, VERY happy with the finished result!

The company is easy to get in touch with and ships orders quickly. The customer service and support team at EZ snap is great! I recommend this product.

Thanks,
Robin B.

Tiny Home Skirting Review Photos from Robin B Deck

Tiny Home Skirting Review Photos from Robin B

Tiny Home Skirting Review Photos from Robin B Side

Tiny Home Skirting Review Photos from Robin B Hitch

RV Skirting Reviews RV Shade Reviews Window Shade Reviews Skylight Shade Reviews

6 Reasons To Skirt Your RV This Winter

by Mike Letendre | Jan 10, 2019 | EZ Snap, RV Skirting

What’s the best way to keep my RV from freezing?

If you are going to winter in your RV and there is any risk for freezing temperatures, you are going to have to take extra steps to protect your rig.

Specifically, it is your pipes and tanks that will need added protection as they are the most vulnerable during a freeze.

The only exception is if you have an RV that comes with a four season or all weather package option.

These RVs have been modified to be able to withstand colder temperatures with options like enclosed tanks, thicker insulation, double pane windows and more.

However, there is no set industry standard for what makes an RV all weather or four season.

Some are built better than others, which means there are some all weather RVs that are not actually able to withstand freezing temperatures.

Unless you really know what you’re getting, you might not know if your RV was able to survive a cold winter until it was too late.

So even if you have an RV with an all weather package, you still may need to take extra precautions to prevent your rig from freezing.

And if you are like the majority of RV owners and don’t have one made for cold weather, you will definitely need to protect your RV.

If that sounds like you, then there is nothing you can do for your rig that is more important than skirting it before a freeze hits.

Skirting an RV means using a material to seal off the undercarriage.

RV skirts are not something that typically comes with an RV, so it has to be purchased and installed at the discretion of the owner.

If you are undecided about making the leap to get your RV skirted, here are the most important reasons why it’s a wise investment for you:

1: RV Skirting will protect your pipes and tanks

Your RV’s plumbing is what is going to need the most protection in cold weather.

If your pipes are exposed to the elements and the temperature dips below freezing, they are in danger of freezing.

If there’s any water in them they may burst, as water will expand before it freezes solid.

If your pipes burst, it can be very expensive to fix depending on the extent of the damage.

It would also mean going without water until everything was fixed.

Skirting your RV is the best way to protect your pipes and tanks from freezing.

The main function of skirting is to separate the air column underneath your RV.

If you can seal off the air underneath your RV from the air outside, you can warm up the enclosed air and it won’t dissipate.

The easiest and best way to keep things warm inside the skirting enclosure is to have two temperature controlled heaters on either end facing each other (use the kind that has a tip sensor so that if it does fall over, it will automatically shut off).

Also, save some hassle and invest in temperature monitors, so you can always know what the temperature is underneath your RV without having to crawl underneath to check.

2: Stay warmer and more comfortable

It goes without saying, but if the underside of your RV is warmer, the inside will be warmer too.

By keeping that air column under the RV separated and warmer, you gain an extra layer of insulation under the rig.

It works on the same principle as double pane windows.

By separating the air and sealing it off, it creates an air pocket that stops the cold from being transferred.

Your RV stays warmer and so does your floor.

3: Save on propane

A nice byproduct of protecting your RV with skirting is that as your RV stays warmer easier, you will end up spending less on propane.

Most RVs run furnaces on propane and chances are that you or someone you know has spent a winter or two going through propane tanks like water just to stay warm.

Add up enough tanks over the winter and it can get expensive.

Installing skirting will cut that cost down. Add that up over years and it can be a significant savings.

4: You can still use your tanks

If you’ve ever had to carry your own water to your RV multiple times a day, you know how much of a hassle that can be.

Trudging through the snow, carrying heavy jugs of water is not how anyone wants to spend the winter.

If your RV’s undercarriage is kept warm enough then you won’t have to worry about your tanks freezing.

However, there are some alterations that you will need to do to still be able to use your pipes and tanks.

For your water line, you will need to use either a heated hose or apply heat tape and insulation to your current hose.

Your also need to heat and insulate the spigot and any water supply piping as well, as that can freeze too.

Your own water connection will need to be heated as well. If it’s on the exterior of the RV then it will need to be insulated and heated.

If you have a wet bay it will need protection as well.

Some RV’s have a warm air duct that goes into the wet bay, which may be all you need.

If you have no such feature, you may want to use a small temperature controlled heater to keep everything from freezing.

The last area that will need to be protected is your sewer line.

Change out your hose, which can become brittle if it gets cold enough, and purchase a PVC pipe.

Heat and insulate the pipe to keep everything moving, and only dump your tank when necessary.

Now you won’t have to worry about making treks through sleet and snow just to use the bathroom.

5: Extra storage

Storage is a premium for any RV full timer, and one of the side benefits of skirting is that you can now use the underbelly of your RV for storage.

If you have a 5th wheel and skirt the hitch area, you instantly create a large storage area that’s perfect for all your summer toys.

If you order the EZ Snap 5th Wheel Hitch enclosure with the zipper door option, getting access to your hitch area is super fast and easy.

6: Tire protection

Something that doesn’t get mentioned enough with RVs is how important it is to protect your tires.

One of the most common problems for RVs that don’t get moved very often is that their tires can get dry rot.

Dry rot is when the tires dry out and crack, making them unsafe.

One of the reasons dry out occurs is because there are compounds in the rubber that get released as the tire is used that keep it supple.

When a tire sits in one spot for an extended period of time and is exposed, it can dry out and reduce it’s lifespan significantly.

However, if a tire is covered and protected from UV and the elements it can slow that process down.

Skirting your RV covers your tires and in the process will help extend their life.

What to use for RV skirting?

The good and bad news is that there are no shortage of RV skirting options available on the market.

This can mean spending a lot of time doing research online and still not know if you’ve picked the right kind of skirting.

And if you want to build your skirting yourself, there’s no real consensus on the best materials to use.

One of the most popular choices is plywood, as it’s fairly inexpensive and sturdy.

It has some drawbacks though.

It’s big and heavy, so it’s the kind of thing you would probably have to leave behind if you were to move your RV to another site.

Some RV campgrounds have rules against using plywood as skirting (as well as other materials, so always double check before committing to any skirting option).

Plywood also doesn’t flex and because it sits right up against the RV, it can scratch the exterior as the RV moves.

Two other common DIY RV Skirting options are hay bales and rigid insulation panels.

These can work depending on your situation, but they both have their flaws.

The hay bales are a serious fire hazard, can attract vermin and are only usable for one season.

Rigid insulation is like plywood in that it can be an effective solution, but because it’s so light it needs to be attached to a frame or it can easily blow away.

The practical solution for most RVers is to buy vinyl skirting.

It’s lightweight, adjustable and portable, so it can be rolled up and taken with you.

There are a lot of different RV vinyl skirting options to choose from.

There are companies that will build you a custom skirt. These are usually made on site, with the RV right there to make sure everything fits just the way it should.

The biggest drawback of these skirts is that they can be very expensive, running into the thousands of dollars.

Turnaround time is also slow, with bookings having to be made months in advance.

The option that offers the best in performance, portability and price is EZ Snap RV Skirting.

Using the RV Skirting calculator that’s on the site, you can quickly find out what size kit you need for your RV and how much it will cost.

The kits ship quickly, so there’s no need to panic if you weren’t prepared for an early winter.

It will fit any make, model or class of RV, Motorhome, Travel Trailer, Airstream and even tiny homes.

EZ Snap is made to be able to be installed by anyone, no matter your skill level.

Because you are doing the installation, you also save significantly on what it would cost for the labor for a custom skirt.

And once winter is over, all you have to do is unsnap it, roll it up and store it away for next year.

No matter which skirting option you choose, remember that it may seem like a large investment, but the cost and hassle of having broken pipes and tanks far outweighs the cost of skirting.