Winter RV camping comes with its challenges, especially keeping your rig warm and preventing frozen pipes. RV AirSkirts offer a potential solution to these cold-weather woes. These inflatable tubes create a barrier around the bottom of your RV, blocking wind and keeping warmth where you want it—inside your home on wheels.
Many RVers wonder if these products actually deliver on their promises. After a full winter season of testing in both Kentucky’s below-zero temperatures and Georgia’s milder climate, the results are in from the video below.
While they definitely help maintain warmer floors and protect plumbing, there are some practical considerations about storage, weight, and durability that might influence your decision about whether they’re worth the investment for your particular camping style.
Key Takeaways
- RV AirSkirts effectively keep floors warmer and help prevent pipe freezing during winter camping.
- The inflatable tubes are easy to install but can be difficult to pack away and store due to their bulk and weight.
- Despite some durability concerns with punctures, they stay in place during high winds and could be worth considering for extended cold-weather stays.
What Are RV AirSkirts?
RV AirSkirts are inflatable tubes designed to wrap around the bottom of your RV. They create a barrier that blocks wind from getting underneath your vehicle during cold weather. Unlike traditional hard skirting, these inflatable options offer portability and flexibility for RVers who move frequently.
Design and Basics
RV AirSkirts consist of air-filled tubes that come in different sizes (typically 4-foot, 6-foot, and 8-foot sections). You position these tubes around the entire perimeter of your RV, creating a seal between the ground and your vehicle’s undercarriage.
The tubes are made from durable material, though they can be punctured if placed on rough surfaces. They come with:
- A specialized pump for inflation/deflation
- Storage bags (which are quite bulky)
- Various lengths to fit different RV sizes
For taller fifth wheels, you might need “high clearance” versions, which tend to cost more than standard models for lower-profile RVs.
How AirSkirts Work
AirSkirts create a thermal barrier by blocking cold air from flowing underneath your RV. This simple approach has several benefits:
- Temperature regulation: Keeps floors warmer inside your RV
- Pipe protection: Helps prevent freezing of exposed plumbing
- Energy efficiency: Reduces propane usage for heating
The tubes respond to temperature changes throughout the day. When it’s warm, the air inside expands and increases pressure. During cold weather, the air contracts, sometimes requiring a quick top-off inflation.
Installation time: About 45 minutes for a complete setup
Despite their lightweight appearance, these tubes stand up remarkably well to harsh weather. Even in tornado-warning conditions, properly installed AirSkirts stay firmly in place.
Comparing AirSkirts to Traditional Skirting
| Feature | AirSkirts | Traditional Foam/Vinyl Skirting |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 30-45 minutes | Several hours |
| Portability | Portable but bulky | Less portable |
| Storage | Large bags (can weigh ~100 lbs) | Requires large storage space |
| Adaptability | Works on any surface | May not work everywhere |
| Durability | Can puncture | Weather-resistant but can tear |
| Weight | Heavy | Often lighter |
AirSkirts shine in situations where traditional skirting isn’t practical:
- Campgrounds that don’t allow permanent skirting
- When you’re staying somewhere for weeks rather than months
- Concrete pads where attaching traditional skirting is difficult
The modular design lets you configure them around any RV shape, which is a big advantage over rigid skirting options. However, they’re not perfect – they can be challenging to pack away (taking up to 2 hours), and the weight might be an issue if you’re close to your vehicle’s weight limits.
Putting Them To The Test
Braving Kentucky’s Winter Extremes
You might wonder if those inflatable RV skirting tubes really work when temperatures drop below zero. In the video, during January in Kentucky, these AirSkirts faced a serious challenge with subzero temperatures, heavy snow, and ice. The results?
Not a single frozen pipe issue! Even with concerns about exposed low-point drains that stick out from under the RV, everything stayed functioning properly. The heated underbelly combined with the AirSkirts provided excellent protection against the harsh winter elements.
However, durability proved problematic. Three skirting tubes developed holes where they contacted the concrete pad. Finding these punctures wasn’t simple – it required reinflating them, spraying with soapy water, and watching for tiny bubbles to appear.
Taking Your AirSkirts on the Road
Setting up your AirSkirts is surprisingly quick. While the company claims a 30-minute installation, you’ll probably need about 45 minutes to get everything properly adjusted. The inflation process is straightforward with the included pump.
Packing them away? That’s a different story. Here’s what you’ll face:
- Deflation: Easy with the reverse function on the pump
- Folding: Takes about 2 hours to properly fold for storage
- Weight: Nearly 100 pounds per storage bag
- Bulk: Requires significant truck space for transport
The high-clearance models for fifth wheels are particularly expensive compared to versions for lower-profile RVs. During use, you’ll need to monitor air pressure as temperatures change – warmer days cause expansion while cold nights lead to contraction.
What Others Think About AirSkirts
Your AirSkirts will definitely get neighbors talking! At a Georgia campground, fellow RVers constantly asked about them. The campground manager even took photos to share with friends, including website information. They’re particularly appealing for people who:
- Can’t install traditional foam board skirting
- Need a portable solution
- Stay in places with restrictions on permanent skirting
During a severe storm with tornado warnings in Georgia, the AirSkirts proved incredibly stable. Despite evacuating for safety, the skirting remained perfectly in place through high winds – an impressive performance that adds to their practical value.
Benefits of RV Insulation Tubes
Keeping Your Floors Cozy
RV insulation tubes really work at keeping your floors warmer during cold weather! When placed around the bottom of your RV, these air-filled tubes block cold winds from blowing underneath your vehicle. This creates a pocket of still air that acts as insulation, helping maintain warmer temperatures inside. During freezing January temperatures in Kentucky, the difference was noticeable – no more icy-c