Every seasoned Winter Texan has a version of this list tucked somewhere — the notes app, the fridge whiteboard, the same yellow legal pad that comes out every fall. Whether this is your first season heading south or your fifteenth, running through a genuine, thorough pre-departure checklist is what separates a smooth transition from realizing three days into your drive that you forgot something important back home.
Closing Up the House
“The house-closing side of this is honestly where people miss things, because it’s easy to focus all your energy on packing for the trip itself and treat the house as an afterthought. But a house sitting empty for four or five months needs real attention before you leave, not just a quick walk-through on your way out the door.”
Vehicle and RV Preparation
Documents and Financial Prep
Medical and Prescription Planning
Packing for the Season, Not Just the Trip
Confirming Your Reservation Before You Go
Before you actually depart, confirm your site reservation details are locked in — your specific site, your arrival date, and your length of stay — rather than assuming everything is settled and discovering an issue upon arrival. If you haven’t yet booked your site for the season, doing so well before departure, rather than as a last-minute scramble, matters significantly during peak Winter Texan booking demand. The Winter Texan RV site reservation guide covers the booking timeline and demand pattern specific to securing a site for the season, which is worth reviewing if your reservation isn’t already confirmed.
House: set thermostat/water heater to energy-saving mode (not off), shut off main water supply after draining outdoor spigots, unplug non-essential electronics, arrange mail hold, set up periodic home checks.
Vehicle/RV: pre-trip service (oil, tires, brakes, fluids), test all RV systems including AC before departure.
Documents: copies of insurance/medical/legal documents, set up autopay or remote bill access, notify bank/credit cards of travel.
Medical: refill prescriptions before departure, research Valley care options if needed, bring a written medication list.
Packing: pack for the Valley’s actual weather range (not just shorts), bring genuine comfort items for a season-long stay.
Before departure: confirm site reservation details are fully locked in — site, arrival date, length of stay.
For Winter Texans finalizing their season plans, current rates and site information are at the Mission RV Resort pricing page. And for booking your season stay, Mission RV Resort is the starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I turn off my home’s heat completely before heading south for winter?
Generally, no — setting your thermostat to an energy-saving but still-active temperature is safer than turning heat off entirely, particularly in a climate with genuine winter freeze risk. Some minimal heating prevents frozen pipes far more reliably than no heat at all, and the modest energy cost is worth avoiding the risk of a burst pipe causing significant damage while you’re away for the season.
Should I shut off my home’s water supply before leaving for the winter?
Yes, this is one of the most protective steps you can take. Shutting off your home’s main water supply, after draining exposed outdoor spigots and hoses, significantly reduces the risk of a burst pipe or undetected leak causing serious damage while you’re away for months. A leak caught immediately is a very different problem than one discovered weeks later by a neighbor.
What should I do about mail while I’m away for the winter season?
Setting up a mail hold through your postal service, or arranging for a trusted neighbor or family member to collect mail and packages regularly, is an important step before departure. An overflowing mailbox is one of the clearest signals to anyone watching that a house is unoccupied for an extended period, making this both a practical and security consideration.
Should I get my RV serviced before heading south for the season?
Yes, a pre-trip service check covering oil, tires, brakes, and fluid levels helps catch any developing mechanical issue before it becomes a roadside problem during your drive south. This is particularly important if your rig has sat for any length of time since its last significant trip, since extended non-use can reveal issues a quick local drive wouldn’t catch.
Do I need to notify my bank before traveling for the winter season?
Yes, this is a worthwhile step. Notifying your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans helps avoid a fraud-prevention hold unexpectedly freezing your card once you start using it in a new region, which can be a frustrating and disruptive problem to deal with while away from home. Setting bills to autopay or confirming remote access to pay them is also worth doing before departure.
What should I pack differently for a full winter season versus a short trip?
Pack for the Rio Grande Valley’s actual weather range during your stay, including warm days, cooler evenings, and occasional real cold snaps, rather than assuming the entire season is shorts weather. Since you’re settling in for months rather than passing through, bringing genuine comfort items — a favorite kitchen tool, specific bedding, or hobby supplies — also makes an extended stay feel more like a real home base than an extended camping trip.