Here are Five Things Snowbirds Need
As snowbirds, you pack up the RV and leave the cold confines of the northern states migrating to the south for the winter. You must be prepared if you plan to spend the winter in the South for a lengthy period. The weather may be warmer, but it does change, and it changes fast. Pack the clothing and accessories you’ll need if the temperature drops unexpectedly.
You will be away from home for some time, so make sure your prescription medications are in order, get a 90-day supply, and get extra refills. Drug stores such as CVS and Walgreens are in most major cities, so you can get refills everywhere.
You should also bring your essential documents with you. Prepare in advance for queries about insurance, taxes, credit cards, banking, and other issues that may occur while you’re away from home. Be sure to put those papers in a safe place.
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#1 On-the-Go Portable Standard Water Softener & Conditioner
Southern states are notorious for “hard water.” Protect your RVs plumbing with the On the Go Portable Standard Water Softener & Conditioner. The minerals found in hard water are very destructive and can hurt your RV’s plumbing system. Some newer RVs come with residential refrigerators, ice makers, dishwashers, and washing machines.
Hard water can cause dryness on your hair and skin, primarily if you use the water for bathing while you are in your RV. And, of course, it doesn’t taste good.
This 8,000-grain package is ideal for RV owners of all types. An easy-to-carry handle, a large mouth opening for easy salt addition, rapid and easy regeneration, quick and easy hook-up, and a compact space-saving design that results in a substantially lighter weight are among the softener’s most user-friendly features. It regenerates in under 15 minutes with one box of standard table salt and provides soft water for up to 20 days, and it has long been the industry leader.
With a 4.8 star rating on Amazon, one reviewer wrote:
I’m a full-time RVr and have had some severe challenging water issues on the road in some of the RV parks. This solved the problem. Water hardness went from 425+ down to zero. I have only had the unit for about four weeks & will do the 1st regeneration next week with table salt & figure it’ll cost me less than $1. I bought the smaller unit because of the size & weight factor, knowing that I’ll have to regenerate it more often. Taking a shower is now so much more enjoyable, hair isn’t all tangled & I don’t feel scummy when drying off. I highly recommend it if you’re an RVr.
This water softener is available at
#2 Camco Heated Drinking Water Hose
The nights get cold and can get below freezing. To protect your freshwater system, connect your RV fresh water system to a park faucet with no fear of freeze-up with the Camco Heated Drinking Water Hose.
Ideal for water line freeze protection, its energy-saving thermostat only heats as needed. NSF-61 certified, drinking water-safe hose is BPA, phthalate, and lead-free. This hose will not leach harmful chemicals into your water or leave it tasting like plastic like standard garden hoses. A durable exterior jacket protects the water hose and electrical components from damage or exposure. Included female-to-male adapter lets you connect to the water supply with either end of the hose to reach a 120-volt AC electrical outlet more easily.
With over 9 thousand reviews on Amazon, this hose has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating.
One reviewer wrote:
This 25-foot hose is well-wrapped with insulation and seems very strong. It has a lighted plug-in which is nice to know for sure the hose is heating during sub-zero temperatures. It is adaptable to use from either end, which puts the temp sensor either at the water source or the end being sent the water, and that can be a big plus. Drinking water that has gone through the hose has absolutely no bad taste from day one. I would recommend it.
Each is equipped with a 6-foot 18AWG power cord with an LED indicator. Buy it at
Camping World, or Walmart
#3 Crane Portable Dehumidifier
Moisture can cause a host of issues in the confines of an RV. Mold and mildew expose you to a variety of health problems and can cause damage to your RV.
Moisture enters your RV from several sources, burning a propane stove, showering, outdoor dampness, and the humidity of the coastal states.
The Crane Dehumidifier has a sleek small design that fits easily into your RV. The half-gallon tank of this small-yet-powerful device can remove up to 600ml of moisture from the air daily.
With 166 Amazon reviews, this item has 4.2 stars. One reviewer wrote:
Using this dehumidifier in our camper. Nice, compact unit. Helps reduce humidity.
The Crane Dehumidifier can be purchased at
#4 – Ventmate Vent Cushion with Pull Strap
Valterra V46-A101603 14 x 14 in. Roof Vent. During cold nights, it prevents heat loss and increases the air conditioner’s efficiency on hot days. For easy removal, there is a pull strap. It easily fits into the vent. Suitable for both summer and winter. As a bonus, it blocks out the light.
This product has an Amazon rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. One reviewer wrote:
I bought these to reduce the light coming into our RV bedroom early in the morning. They work well for that, but I was surprised how much heat they blocked during the day. My AC seems to run about half as much since I installed them. Can’t wait to see how well they work during the winter to keep the RV from losing heat thru the vent lights. Highly recommend!
You can buy this at
#5 – Equator Portable Induction Cooktop
As mentioned above, cooking with propane creates moisture, and moisture creates all kinds of other problems. To eliminate moisture issues when cooking, you can use this Portable 2-Position Electric Induction Cooktop by Equator.
Why cook by induction? Induction cooking is a fast and precise way of cooking that uses a magnetic field beneath the glass cooktop to transfer current directly to the cookware. It allows for rapid cooking while keeping precise temperature control and the ability to adjust heat quickly.
You can get this at
This does require the use of induction cooking-ready cookware; this 10-piece nesting cookware set from Magma is perfect. See it here.