Best 4 Season Travel Trailer For Full-Time Living
We all want to enjoy 4 seasons of travel with our RV, and although many travel trailers may seem comfy, sadly some will let you down when facing chilly winters or the blazing summer heat.
Four season travel trailers are a great investment for anyone who wants to live in their trailer full-time!
But what makes a 4 season camper trailer different from other trailers?
Let’s have a closer look at what makes a travel trailer equipped for 4 seasons, and the choices available for you.
If you’re committing to living a year-round mobile lifestyle it’s worth taking the time to get it right!
What Is a 4 Seasons Travel Trailer?
A 4 seasons travel trailer is a special kind of RV that can stand up to the elements no matter what time of year.
Whether you’re camping in hot weather or cold winters, these trailers are built to be more robust with heavy-duty materials, proper insulation, an enclosed underbelly, and thermal pane windows that allow these rigs to be used in any weather conditions.
Many RVs come with a four-seasons package upgrades offering extreme weather protection.
Why Travel Trailers are the Best for Full-Time Living
Many people are choosing travel trailers for full-time living, leaving us to wonder “why?”. First and foremost, they’re easy on the wallet. Manufacturers are able to produce models that can be towed to fit most buyers’ budgets. Need to dash off somewhere? Simply unhook your home and you’ve got a vehicle for everyday use.
Although all travel trailers seem pretty convenient, you can’t help but wonder if they’ll keep you cozy all year long? Sadly many won’t, as they are not ready for the extreme weather and demands of constant use, so you’ll need to choose very carefully when finding your new home.
4-season travel trailer options can come in many shapes, sizes, prices and styles. So what should you look for when considering one of these?
Considerations for Full Time RV Living
Before making your buying decision, the best advice we can give is to consider your personal living conditions.
Do you plan on lounging in the living areas or are you going to explore and use the trailer as a crash pad?
Are you going to chef it up most days or are you more of a takeout and chill kind of traveler?
Ask yourself these questions about how you’ll be using your 4 season camper trailer:
Are you planning on being a weekend warrior or living in it year-round?
Whether you want to be a weekend warrior or live in it year-round, what kind of rig is best for your needs might depend on where and how often you plan to move.
A weekend warrior may find themselves in a small travel trailer while someone who lives in it full time would need larger travel trailers with more capacity for storage, counter space and better off grid capabilities (solar panels, onboard power).
Are you going to stay on public land?
If you plan to stay on public land or use your RV for dry camping, it is important that your rig has the right ground clearance, length, and off-grid capabilities. Road conditions can vary greatly, so it’s important to be prepared for any terrain. Some dirt roads are level and smooth while others require extra effort with steep hills or sharp turns that may damage long motorhomes or travel trailers with low ground clearance.
Do you plan to stay in state parks or national parks?
If you plan on staying in state parks or national parks with your travel trailer, be aware of the length restrictions. State and national parks limit how long trailers can be because they have limited space. Make sure your rig is under 35 ft if these are destinations you plan to visit.
Will you be traveling through cold harsh winters and hot summers?
In preparation for choosing a travel trailer, you’ll need to decide if you want a rig designed to withstand the elements with a powerful furnace or if you plan to be hooked up to shore power most of the time.
Are you traveling alone or with your family?
Will you be traveling alone or are you looking for a luxury travel trailer that can sleep the entire family comfortably? Or maybe you need an RV with all of your creature comforts on board. It is important to consider how much space and what types of features you will need before making your decision.
Best Materials And Construction in a Four Season Travel Trailer
Ok, now that you’ve thought about these points and realize that living with this kind of freedom sounds awesome, how can you tell if a camper is four seasons?
Wall Insulation
The most important factor in a 4 season camper trailer is the quality of insulation. Good RV insulation will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, without using up all of your propane or electricity. Block Foam Insulation prevents heat loss in cold conditions and helps regulate the internal temperature of your rig.
Ceiling Insulation
The roof of your travel trailer is one of the most important places to have an extra layer of insulation. If it’s missing this key feature, then you run the risk of losing a lot of heat (or cool air) through the roof.
Enclosed and Insulated Underbelly
The floor is an often overlooked part of 4 season travel trailers but having an insulated underbelly is very important for camping in extreme temperature. The underbelly is the most vulnerable part of your travel trailer. It’s where all the essential components are located, such as water tanks and plumbing pipes that need to be enclosed to prevent them from freezing over during the winter months. Having a heated underbelly will provide superior insulation in extreme conditions.
Heated Holding Tanks
Look for an RV that has heated holding tanks. Tank heaters prevent your gray water tanks, black water tanks, freshwater tanks and water lines from freezing in cold temperatures.
Double Pane Windows
A double pane window (also known as dual pane windows or thermal pane windows) has two layers of glass. Make sure the windows in your travel trailer are double-paned as they provide the best insulation. The high-quality glass provides the best protection against heat, cold and sound.
Temperature Rating
Be wary of companies that claim the trailer will be comfortable in cold weather camping, eg. -5 degrees. The living space may be able to keep you out of the cold but there is much more that should be considered when rating temperature, like heated tanks, ducted heating, and freeze-protected plumbing.
Venting Systems
You’ll need good airflow in the summer months and roof venting is the most efficient solution we’ve come across. If you plan on living somewhere with hot, harsh weather, we suggest boosting your roof venting with a heat extraction fan.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Don’t hold back here, you’re going to need an efficient furnace and A/C unit that both function beautifully and consistently in extreme temperatures. In our experience, you should go for a rooftop duct air conditioner and propane-fired furnace.
Best Four-Season Travel Trailer Options
Although they all seem to have plenty of luxury features, creature comforts and a sleek design, you can’t help but wonder if they’ll keep you cozy all year long? Sadly many won’t, so choosing the best four season RV wisely is key. But now that we know what to look for, let’s take a look at our top four season travel trailer models and some of the key features that make them stand out above the rest.
1. Outdoors RV Back Country Series
Our personal favorite, the Outdoors RV Backcountry Series comes with a ton of features that puts it as our top pick for four-season trailers. We bought this beautiful model in 2021 and have been blown away with its quality and four-season integrity.
With 100 gallons of fresh water capacity, an 80 gallon gray water tank, and a 40 Gallon black water tank, it has a ton of special features that sets it apart from the rest. With a variety of floor plans, each of the Back country series is equipped with 170-watts of solar power, thermal pane windows, and comes standard with an onboard 3.6 LP propane generator, it’s easy to see why we love it so much.
Want to know our honest review of this RV after living in it for over a year? Click here.
2. Lance Travel Trailer
Lance is known to be one of the most affordable and functional options when it comes to camping. The lightweight design of their towables are specifically designed by experts in outdoor living who understand what’s necessary during all sorts of weather conditions.
The block foam insulation will keep you cool on a summer day, while an insulated and heated fresh Water tank makes sure your tanks won’t freeze even on chilly nights. So if you’re looking into something reliable yet versatile enough then this model should definitely catch your attention.
3. Northwood Arctic Fox North Fork
Looking for the perfect travel trailer that can handle all four seasons? Look no further than the Northwood Arctic Fox!
Northwood Arctic Fox is a great four-season RV travel trailer with seven different floor plans. As a sister company of Outdoors RV, The Arctic Fox North Fork has been engineered and insulated to withstand all kinds of weather.
This beast of a trailer is built to handle even the most extreme temperatures. With a combination of rigid foam, reflective foil and batten to provide the best insulation for winter, this rig has unparalleled capability.
It also features fully welded, thick aluminum frame construction, heated holding tanks, and double-paned windows, so you can say goodbye to chilly nights and hello to cozy comfort.
But what about the scorching summer sun? No problem! The Arctic Fox has dual air conditioning units to keep you cool and refreshed during those hot summer days.
And let’s not forget about the insulated underbelly and ducted heating, which ensures that you’ll stay warm and toasty even in the coldest of climates.
4. Forest River Alpha Wolf
The Alpha Wolf travel trailer has a modern design that is sure to impress any RV enthusiast. The Forest River Arctic Wolf is an all-around great RV for those who want to stay warm and cozy while traveling, offering an incredible Weather Guard package for those who are looking to winterize their travel trailers will make sure that your family has constant heat no matter where they’re camping.
One of the key features that makes this camper perfect for all four seasons is its exterior wall. The Forest River comes equipped with 2″ thick laminated exterior walls, which are filled with block foam insulation. This not only helps to keep the heat in during the winter months, but it also helps to keep the cool air inside during the summer.
But that’s not all! The Forest River also features an Armored Underbelly Tank Enclosure, which protects the camper’s holding tanks from damage and freezing temperatures. This, coupled with forced air heat to all holding tanks, ensures that you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant surprises when you’re out on the road.
And let’s not forget about the camper’s ducted heating and air conditioning system, which allows you to stay comfortable no matter what the temperature is like outside.
5. Grand Design Reflection
If you’re looking for a camper that’s built for full-time RVing, look no further than the Grand Design Arctic! This camper is designed with practicality in mind, making it the perfect choice for those who want to hit the road full-time.
One of the key features of the Grand Design Arctic is its convenient design. The camper includes a range of features that are specifically built for full-time RVing, making life on the road more comfortable and convenient than ever before.
But what about cold weather? Don’t worry, the Grand Design Arctic has got you covered! With the 4-Season package, this camper comes equipped with a range of upgrades that make it perfect for use in all types of weather. The package includes a high-performing furnace, which is more than capable of keeping you warm and toasty on the coldest of nights.
But that’s not all! The double insulation, insulated flooring, and heated and insulated underbelly with circulating heating ensure that you’ll stay comfortable and cozy, no matter what the weather is like outside.
6. Dutchmen Aspen Trail
When it comes to finding a camper that’s ready for all four seasons, the Aspen Trail is a great option that won’t break the bank. Despite being fully prepared for all types of weather, the Aspen Trail is actually one of the most affordable models on the market today.
One of the key features of the Aspen Trail’s four-season model is its well-insulated underbelly. This helps to keep the camper warm and cozy, even in colder climates. The sturdy furnace is also designed to keep you comfortable and warm no matter what the temperature is like outside.
The Aspen Trail’s four-season model also boasts R7 Thermal Insulation, which ensures that the indoor environment is always comfortable and welcoming. This is a great feature for those who want to travel in colder climates, as it helps to keep the camper warm and toasty, no matter what the weather is like outside.
And if you’re looking for a lightweight trailer that’s easy to tow, the Aspen Trail’s four-season model is the perfect choice. At under 6,000 pounds, this camper is easily towable by a range of vehicles, making it a great choice for those who want to hit the road without breaking the bank.
7. Keystone Montana Travel Trailer
If you’re looking for an RV that’s both luxurious and comfortable, then the Keystone Montana may be right up your alley. This incredible travel trailer comes with all of those fancy perks like hardwood cabinetry plus stainless steel appliances.
But what sets this RV apart from the others is its ability to withstand even the harshest of winter conditions.
The Keystone Montana Four Season Living Package is designed specifically to brave the cold winter months, making it perfect for those who love to travel year-round. The astrofoil insulated slide floors and underbelly help to keep the cold air out, while the 12v heat pads on holding tanks ensure that your water supply won’t freeze over. They have also fitted freeze-protected pipes that will keep you warm and cozy throughout any cold spells that you may encounter.
8. Heartland Bighorn
The Big Horn travel trailer is the perfect choice for families on the go who want to combine comfort with functionality. The spacious layout provides plenty of room for everyone to relax and unwind, with a cozy 36-inch fireplace and a large 55-inch TV for movie nights all winter long. But it’s not just about the luxuries – this travel trailer is also built to withstand even the harshest winter conditions.
The Big Horn’s block foam insulation ensures that the interior stays warm and cozy even in the coldest temperatures. And with a powerful 42,000 BTU furnace and seamless one-piece floor heat ducts, you’ll be sure to stay comfortable no matter how low the mercury drops. The enclosed and heated underbelly helps to protect the plumbing system from the cold weather, and the PEX water pipes are specially designed to withstand extreme conditions.
Of course, it’s worth noting that this travel trailer is not for the faint of heart. With all of its luxurious features and sturdy construction, it’s not exactly lightweight. So if you’re planning to hit the road with the Big Horn in tow, make sure you have a strong and supportive vehicle to handle the load.
Can You Live Off-Grid in a Travel Trailer?
Going off the grid in an RV is the ultimate way to achieve self-sufficiency. But to do it right, you need to have your ducks in a row. That means having your own power source, water supply, and a system for dealing with waste. If you’re ready to make the leap into the world of boondocking in a travel trailer, we’ve got you covered with our complete guide.
Inside, you’ll find everything you need to know to thrive in the great outdoors, including how to find free and legal camping spots, which RV batteries are best for your needs, how to boost your cell service, and some insider tips that you won’t find anywhere else. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to become a boondocking pro!
Find the 4 Season Travel Trailer for your Needs
There are many things to consider when deciding on the best travel trailer for your lifestyle. We hope this blog post has helped you narrow down your choices and find a 4 season travel trailer that will suit all of your needs, no matter where in the country you live or what season it is!
Our blog is full of tips and tricks to make RV ownership easier. From finding the best boondocking locations throughout the US to choosing a cell booster for your RV.
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