The Truth About Winter RV Living Myths That January Completely Destroys

Posted by

Carolyn Higgins

January 22, 2026

Winter RV life is often sold as a simple equation: go south, save money, enjoy the quiet, let solar do the work.

January has a way of dismantling all of that.

I’ve put together the most common winter RV myths that January quietly (and relentlessly) proves wrong.

Myth #1: “Just Go South”

Reality: Everyone else had the same idea.

January turns popular southern destinations like Quartzsite, Arizona, and Florida into:

Crowded boondocking areas
Long waits for dump stations
Fewer backup options if a spot doesn’t work out

Also, being in the south doesn’t guarantee warmth. Even in the arid deserts of the Southwest, winter mornings can mean freezing temps, high winds, and limited sun — especially at elevation. “South” doesn’t always mean warm, and it definitely doesn’t mean easy.

January lesson: Going south helps, but it doesn’t magically make things easy

Myth #2: “It’s Cheaper in Winter”

Reality: You trade campground fees for survival costs.

Winter expenses that quietly add up in January:

Propane refills- often more frequent than expected because of cool desert nights
Space heaters + higher electric draw- so you will need to be plugged in to use them
Battery inefficiency in cold temps- no matter your house battery type, they lose efficiency in colder temperatures
Emergency repairs when things fail in the cold or on long road trips south
Extra driving to chase the weather or services = more time at the gas pump and more money!

You can still live affordably — but winter is rarely the budget-friendly season people imagine.

January lesson: Winter doesn’t eliminate costs — it reshuffles them.

Myth #3: “You’ll Be Alone, But Free”

Reality: You might be alone — but not always free.

January solitude can feel peaceful… or heavy.

If you enjoy campgrounds and the community that comes with it, you’re in for a different vibe; fewer people means fewer casual campground conversations.
Shorter days and longer nights – that means more time alone in your rig.
Weather limiting movement and exploration- when the days get cold and windy – or snowy and icy you’ll be less likely to travel and explore.
Less motivation to “go do something”- winter is for hibernation, so you might find yourself less inclined to go out and do things.

For some people, this quiet is healing. For others, it’s isolating in ways they didn’t anticipate.

January lesson: Solitude hits differently when it’s cold and dark. Prepare yourself. Watch my “How to be Alone” video – it’s about being alone for the holidays, but the tips are good for any time of year.

Myth #4: “Solar Solves Everything”

Reality: January sun is weak, short, and inconsistent.

Even solid solar setups struggle with:

Low sun angles
Overcast winter skies
panels dusted with snow or desert dust
Batteries performing worse in cold

January is when many RVers realize solar is part of a system — not a guarantee.

January lesson: Redundancy matters more than optimism. Having a portable power station like Bluetti or even a gas generator is a must if you’re a boondocker.

The Truth January Teaches RVers

January doesn’t mean RV life is bad. It means RV life is real.

This month strips away the romantic assumptions and replaces them with:

Adaptability
Patience
Planning
Self-awareness

If you can make it through January — mentally and logistically — the rest of the year feels a little more manageable.

Final Thoughts

Winter RV living isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about being flexible, adaptable and learning what actually works when conditions aren’t ideal.

And January?
January isn’t the month that sells the fantasy of #Rvlife or #Vanlife. It’s the month that teaches you how to live it.

Other RV Living Resources from Carolyn’s RV Life

Carolyn’s RV Life Vids on YouTube:

DISCLAIMER: Carolyn’s RV Life is viewer and reader supported. When you buy through the links on my site, I may earn a commission – at no additional cost to you. Thank you in advance for your support!

Carolyn’s RV Life and Carolyn Higgins share her experiences, thoughts, opinions and ideas in this blog post and on this website for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, instruction or guidance. Viewers/Readers should consult with professionals before pursing any actions or behaviors exhibited in this video. Carolyn’s RV Life or Carolyn Higgins cannot be held liable in the event of any accident or injury that may occur as a result of application of procedures and information provided in this video.