Are you interested in outfitting your RV with skirting to make it warmer this winter but are afraid to blow your whole budget on materials? Camping during the winter months involves a bit more labor to keep warm, and you’ll need high-quality RV skirting to help. Many store-bought options are expensive, but you can make your own with a few simple materials.
Cheap RV skirting can be made from a foam insulation board with bricks or cinder blocks to hold it in place. Alternatively, you can use particleboard or plywood for a sturdier solution. Vinyl tarps (insulated or not), used billboard vinyl, and vinyl air skirting are great ways to insulate your RV.
For more information on what kinds of cheap RV skirting will keep your camper warm this winter, check out our complete guide here.
What Kinds of Cheap RV Winter Skirting Can You Use?
Knowing what to use can make the difference between success and failure if you’re thinking about making your skirting to combat the extremely high prices of a more commercial solution.
Here are some of the easiest and least expensive ways to create skirts for winter.
1. Foam Insulation Board
Foam insulation board is perhaps the most widely-known material that you can use to create a solid skirting around your RV.
Most home improvement stores carry foam insulation boards, which makes this readily accessible and convenient to pick up.
Most of the time, these sheets are sold in 4×8 panels, so do some measurements to determine how many sheets you need.
All you have to do is measure the panels and cut them to the appropriate size where two boards join together, tape the seams with foil duct tape to hold them in place and prevent wind from coming between them.
Remember that an insulation board isn’t the sturdiest material out there. The wind will be able to do a number on it, so you’ll also need to pack a few extra supplies to anchor it.
Bricks or concrete blocks are great for lining the perimeter of the RV. With these solid items in place, the wind will have a harder time pushing around your foam board.
Some campers also use insulation boards in tandem with plywood or particle board, but this isn’t the ideal solution for someone who moves around a lot or who only goes camping for short trips.
2. Plywood or Particle Board
For campers who may not be planning to move much this winter, plywood or particle board can make a great option for cheap RV skirting.
The benefit of wooden panels is that they are sturdier and will last a long time. Plus, they’re even great for keeping warm air underneath the RV.
Plywood is the preferred choice, but it’ll cost you more in supplies. If you have the extra money to spend, it’s stronger and longer-lasting, though.
If you’re on a tight budget, particleboard will still get the job done.
The downside to using plywood or particle board is that these materials aren’t the easiest for installation and removal.
Compared to foam board, you may have more hours in the process of fitting and securing your plywood.
It can also be challenging to figure out where and how to store these panels when not in use, as they’re quite bulky and have little give.
3. Vinyl Tarps
If you’ve researched purchasing premade RV skirting, you likely noticed that many commercial options are made of vinyl.
Fortunately, you can also make your own out of the same material, and it’s a cheap way to insulate the underside of your RV. Several types of vinyl exist, and each has its benefits to consider.
You could use insulated tarps though you may not see the difference between an insulated and a traditional tarp.
The RV is primarily kept warm because of air trapped beneath the camper and is less affected by the thickness of the tarp.
However, if you want to lean on the side of caution when it comes to your winter warmth, insulated tarps might be the way to go.
Campers on a budget might want to stick with regular tarps. They’ll still be resistant to the cold winds that could get under the RV and cause discomfort and cold temperatures for you on the inside.
4. Billboard Vinyl
Vinyl tarps are one way to keep your camper warm during winter, but many campers see greater success with a more budget-friendly option: billboard vinyl.
This material is recycled from used billboards when it no longer serves its purpose. It’s typically heavily discounted and thick enough to keep your RV warm all winter.
If there are no places near you selling used billboard vinyl, look online. Make sure to look at the size of the vinyl sheet and the overall weight. It typically comes anywhere from 9 oz. to 55 oz.
Higher weights will be thicker and heavier while also more resistant to stretching. This tends to make them a bit more challenging to work with.
Lightweight billboard vinyl tends to be easier to stretch and install, making it perfect for beginners who are just learning to make cheap RV skirting.
5. Air Skirting
Air skirting is one of the easiest and fastest installation methods. It helps that it’s easy to store when not in use and requires little to no preparation for installation.
You’ll purchase individual tubes that match the dimensions of the underside of your RV.
When you’re ready to install them, simply lay them in place and inflate them with an air pump (usually included with your purchase, though you can find some at local home goods or camping stores).
The tubes are typically made of high-quality vinyl, so they’re resistant to the wear and tear that can come from a rough campsite filled with rocks, sticks, and other sharp objects.
While you should still take caution to remove items that could puncture the vinyl, you can rest assured that it will take a fair amount of wear and tear before you have to patch it.
From start to finish, it should take you less than half an hour to completely insulate the RV with this winter skirting.
The benefit of air skirting is that it makes it easier for you to travel and move around during the winter. Many of the DIY options included here will take time to set up and tear down.
This isn’t ideal for campers who plan to move around frequently or who prefer to go camping for shorter stints, like a single weekend.
Final Thoughts
Cheap RV skirting is an essential part of camping when you plan to head out in the winter.
Whether you choose a more labor-intensive option like foam insulation board or plywood, or you prefer the flexibility of vinyl, you’ll want to make sure that you have all the materials you need handy when winter rolls around!