Winter RV Living in Central Texas
Texas winter is mild until it is not. Two or three hard freezes a season are enough to split a water line if you were not ready in November.
Quick Answer
Central Texas winters are mild — highs usually in the 50s and 60s — but Bell County gets several hard freezes each season. RVers should use a heated water hose, skirt the rig, protect tanks and the water bay, and keep propane topped off.
Freeze prep checklist
- Heated, insulated water hose rated below freezing
- Skirting around the rig to hold ground warmth
- Foam insulation on exposed pipes and the water bay
- A small ceramic heater in the wet bay on freeze nights
- Keep tanks partly full so lines are not the only water
- Top off propane before a front arrives
- Cover or disconnect exterior hoses during hard freezes
- Know where your water shutoff is before you need it
What the season actually looks like
December through February bring daytime highs mostly in the 50s and 60s with cool nights. Ice events happen, usually one or two a season, and they can shut Bell County roads for a day.
Keep several days of water, a way to cook, and a plan for staying warm if power goes out during an ice storm.
Managing propane and electric
The furnace burns propane fast. Many residents run a small electric heater on mild nights and reserve the furnace for hard freezes, since electric here is sub-metered at cost and often cheaper than a propane refill run.
Frequently asked questions
Does it freeze in Temple, TX?
Yes. Bell County typically sees several hard freezes each winter, though daytime highs are usually in the 50s and 60s.
Do I need a heated water hose?
Yes, if you are staying through winter. It is the single most important piece of freeze protection.
Is skirting required at Journey's?
Not required, but recommended for full-time winter residents. It reduces both freeze risk and heating cost.