6 Best Affordable RV Skirting For Budget Travelers + Nomads Swear By

The temperature drops below freezing, and you wake up to a cold floor and no running water because your pipes are a solid block of ice. This isn’t a theoretical problem; it’s a rite of passage for many new cold-weather RVers. The right RV skirting is the difference between a cozy winter haven and a costly, miserable mistake.

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Why RV Skirting Is a Non-Negotiable Essential

Let’s be clear: RV skirting isn’t an optional accessory for cold-weather camping. It’s a fundamental piece of equipment. Its primary job is to create a pocket of trapped, insulated air underneath your rig. This "dead air" space acts as a thermal buffer, preventing the ground from sucking heat out of your floors and, most critically, protecting your holding tanks, water lines, and dump valves from freezing.

Without skirting, your furnace will run constantly, burning through propane at an astonishing rate just to keep the interior livable. Your floors will feel perpetually icy, making your living space uncomfortable. In a serious cold snap, you risk catastrophic damage to your plumbing system—a repair that can cost thousands and end your trip.

Some people think skirting is only for deep winter, but it has benefits in hot climates, too. That same insulated air pocket helps keep the ground’s heat from radiating up into your rig, making your air conditioner’s job easier and reducing your electricity consumption. Think of it as a four-season upgrade for your RV’s efficiency and your personal comfort.

DIY Foam Board: The Ultralight Insulation Choice

For the stationary RVer on a tight budget, nothing beats rigid foam board insulation. You can pick up 4×8 sheets of XPS (extruded polystyrene) or foil-faced polyiso from any home improvement store. The process is straightforward: measure the sections around your RV, cut the boards to size with a utility knife, and friction-fit them into place.

The key is getting a tight seal. I’ve seen people use high-quality duct tape or foil tape to join the seams and secure the panels to the RV’s frame. A few bricks or rocks placed along the bottom edge will keep wind from getting underneath. The R-value you get for the price is fantastic, often providing R-5 to R-7 per inch of thickness. This makes a massive difference in floor temperature and propane usage.

The tradeoff, however, is portability. These panels are bulky and fragile. If you’re a nomad who moves every few weeks, finding a place to store a dozen or more large foam boards is a serious challenge. They are also susceptible to high winds if not perfectly secured and can look a bit rough over time. This is the go-to choice for staying in one spot for a full season.

DIY Plywood Skirting: A Rugged and Reusable Option

If you’re looking for a more durable, long-term solution and don’t mind a bit of construction, plywood skirting is a fantastic option. Using 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch OSB or plywood, you can build custom-fit panels that screw together. This creates an incredibly tough and wind-resistant barrier that can be used year after year.

Building it requires more upfront effort and tools—a circular saw, drill, and measuring tape are essential. Many people build a simple 2×2 wood frame on the back of each panel for rigidity and to provide a surface for screwing them together at the corners. You can even add a hinged access door for your sewer connection or storage compartments. Once built, you can paint it to match your RV for a clean, professional look.

The biggest downsides are weight and storage. Plywood is heavy, and the panels take up significant space, making this impractical for anyone who isn’t stationary for months at a time. The initial material cost is also higher than foam board. But if you have a seasonal spot, the durability and reusability of a well-built plywood skirt are unmatched. It’s a one-time project that pays off for years.

Custom Vinyl Tarps: The Ultimate Budget Solution

For travelers who are constantly on the move, heavy-duty vinyl is the king of portable skirting. You can order custom-sized vinyl tarps online with grommets pre-installed, or buy a large roll of heavy-mil material and cut it yourself. The idea is to create a continuous curtain around the base of your rig that blocks wind and creates that crucial air gap.

Installation methods vary. Some people install a C-channel track or snap fasteners directly onto their RV for a clean, taut fit. A simpler, no-drill method involves using strong adhesive-backed snaps or even just bungee cords run through the grommets and hooked to the frame. While it doesn’t offer the high R-value of rigid foam, it completely stops the wind, which is responsible for a huge amount of heat loss.

The benefits are obvious: it’s relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and packs down into a small bag for storage. This makes it a favorite among full-time nomads. The main drawback is its lower insulating capability. In truly arctic conditions, you might need to supplement it with a small heater under the rig. Also, if not properly tensioned, it can flap loudly in the wind.

EZ Snap Skirting: A Fastener-Based DIY System

EZ Snap offers a middle ground between pure DIY and expensive custom options. It’s a kit-based system that provides you with a specialized skirting material (either a diamond-weave vinyl or an insulated fabric) and their proprietary screw-in or 3M adhesive-backed snap fasteners. You provide the measurements, and they provide the materials for you to cut and install.

The installation process is more involved than throwing a tarp on but far simpler than building with plywood. You strategically place the snap fasteners around the perimeter of your RV, cut the material to size, and snap it into place. The result is a drum-tight, professional-looking skirt that holds up exceptionally well to wind and weather.

This isn’t the absolute cheapest option, but it offers a fantastic balance of performance, durability, and aesthetics. The main consideration is whether you’re comfortable drilling into your RV’s fiberglass or aluminum siding. While their adhesive snaps are strong, the screw-in ones provide the most secure, permanent hold. For a clean look without the hassle of a full custom job, EZ Snap is a top contender.

AirSkirts Inflatable Kits: The Top Portable Pick

At first glance, AirSkirts might not seem "affordable," but for the true nomad, time and convenience have a dollar value. This system uses durable, inflatable PVC tubes that you place under your RV and inflate with an electric pump. The tubes expand to fill the gap, pressing firmly against both the ground and the underside of your rig, creating a nearly perfect air seal.

The setup and teardown are astonishingly fast—you can have the entire system deployed or packed away in under 30 minutes. There are no holes to drill, no panels to store, and no snaps to align. When deflated, the entire kit packs into one or two duffel bags. This is a game-changer for people who move frequently but still need serious protection from the cold.

The initial investment is the highest on this list, no question. However, if you compare the cost to a single frozen pipe repair or the cumulative hours spent setting up and taking down other systems over a year of travel, the value proposition becomes clear. If your priority is maximum portability and speed, AirSkirts is an investment in your nomadic lifestyle.

Hay Bale Skirting: A Natural, Stationary Option

In some rural, stationary situations, you might see RVs skirted with hay or straw bales. This old-school method can be incredibly effective from an insulation standpoint. The bales are dense, have a surprisingly high R-value, and can often be acquired very cheaply or even for free from local farms, especially after a harvest.

The process is as simple as it gets: stack the bales tightly against one another all the way around the perimeter of the RV. Make sure there are no gaps for wind to get through. It’s a solution born of pure function and available resources.

However, I only recommend this with a huge dose of caution. Hay bales are a five-star hotel for mice, rats, and other rodents. They will nest in the bales and very quickly find their way into your RV. The bales also hold moisture against your rig’s frame and siding, which can lead to rot and mold over a long, wet season. This is a last-resort option, suitable only for very specific, long-term stationary scenarios where you can actively manage pest control.

Key Factors: R-Value, Setup, and Portability

Choosing the right skirting comes down to balancing three critical factors against your budget and travel style. There is no single "best" option, only the best option for you.

First, consider R-Value, which is the measure of thermal resistance. Higher is better.

• High R-Value: DIY Foam Board, Plywood, Hay Bales. These are best for extreme cold and stationary use.
• Moderate R-Value: AirSkirts, Insulated EZ Snap. These offer a good balance for most winter conditions.
• Lower R-Value: Vinyl Tarps. Primarily a windbreak, but a very effective one. Often sufficient for moderate climates.

Next, evaluate the Setup and Teardown. How much time and effort are you willing to spend? If you move weekly, a 4-hour setup is a non-starter.

• Fastest: AirSkirts (under 30 minutes).
• Moderate: Vinyl Tarps, EZ Snap (1-2 hours once installed).
• Slowest: DIY Foam Board and Plywood (several hours for initial setup, less for subsequent ones).

Finally, and most importantly for nomads, is Portability. Where will you store it when you’re driving?

• Excellent Portability: Vinyl Tarps and AirSkirts pack down into bags.
• Good Portability: EZ Snap material rolls up tightly.
• Poor Portability: Foam Board and Plywood are extremely bulky and require a truck bed or dedicated storage bay.

Look at your travel plans for the next year. If you’re staying put for six months in Montana, plywood is a great choice. If you’re chasing 60-degree weather down the coast, a simple vinyl tarp is all you need. Match the solution to the problem you’re actually trying to solve.

Ultimately, skirting your RV is an act of protecting your investment and ensuring your comfort. Whether you choose a $100 DIY project with foam board or invest in a rapid-deployment inflatable kit, the goal is the same: to create a stable, livable space no matter what the weather does. Choose wisely, stay warm, and keep exploring.