There are not many things I enjoy more than getting out and exploring a new town or park in my RV. I installed a weather station to my rig a couple of years ago for no particular reason other than I am interested in the weather, and now wouldn’t set out without it. Let me explain why.
Understanding local weather is key to enjoying camping
Knowing the local weather conditions before you set out for the day allows you to pack the right gear. Having an umbrella if it might rain or a heavier coat if it’s going to be cool sets you up for a good day.
It’s not just a matter of personal comfort. Weather stations can also be used to help you decide how to manage your camp set-up – I make a habit of checking how barometric pressure is trending to know if I should wind the awning in and pack the chairs away before leaving camp for the day. I also have a low temperature alarm set to help me manage water freezing when the temps get super-low.
You don’t necessarily need your own weather station to be prepared. If you happen to be in an area where you get reliable cell coverage or WiFi then you have access to online forecasts as well as current observations. There’s also local radio too which can be good for weather warnings. That said, I still like to use my weather stations to know my ultra-local conditions at a glance.
Considerations and FAQs for RV Weather Stations
Unmount the remote sensor when on the move
You should always unmount the remote sensor before moving your RV. Because the remote sensor really needs to be installed in a position where it is able to take measurements without interference from your RVs body, it often ends up being situated in a position where it would be exposed to damage when cruising down the highway. Even if it can stand up to the wind speed and bumps, the recorded readings will mess with your averages so it’s best to shut it down and pack it away as part of your routine when moving.
Why does barometric pressure matter when camping?
Barometric Pressure is used to predict likelihood of cloud formation and rain. Often if the barometric pressure is trending lower, you are going to be more likely to see rain so pack an umbrella and maybe skip water activities and visit that local winery instead. If the barometric pressure is on the rise then this tells you that it is unlikely to start raining so you can plan to enjoy the sun rays and expect to come back to fully charged batteries.
Wired or wireless RV weather station
When it comes to deciding between a wired or wireless weather station for RVs/camping, a key consideration is how easily you can get the wire from the outside of your RV to the inside (assuming this is where your display unit is). If you have an existing ‘hole’ that you can feed the wire through then you can take advantage of the reliability of a wired connection. If you’d need to make a new hole in the RV’s shell then just take care to seal it up well to avoid leaks and mold. If feeding it through from the under-side of the RV is possible then this is a good approach as a hole in the bottom will be less likely to develop a leak.
Operating temperatures
Keep in mind that both the weather station and any batteries that run it will have minimum and maximum ambient operating temperatures. If you’re planning to travel to areas that in particular have extreme lows then the temperature may damage or temporarily impact the performance and accuracy of the units sensors – Of course rugardness varies between models so your best bet is to read the manufacturer’s manual to know how far you can push things and what precautions to take.
Do you use a weather station in your RV? Let me know in the comments what Model and how you use it. 🙂