The temperatures are already on the rise and that means the annual battle against the heat is gearing up. We all can use some tips and tricks to beat the heat while RVing. Follow these tips and stay cool this summer.
The basics
If you’ve been RVing for a while, you may already know some of the basics for keeping the RV interior cool. Like the following:
- Park your RV in the shade whenever possible.
- Angle your RV when parking so windows won‘t get direct sunlight.
- Let cool morning air freshen and cool your RV interior but close up your rig well before temperatures rise.
- Extend your RV’s awning to shade your rig from the sun.
- Make sure to keep the A/C, fan, filters, and other components clean and in good working condition. If you need to straighten the A/C fins, here’s a great product.
- Avoid opening the RV exit door(s) as much as possible.
- Cover windows with reflective material to reflect the heat away from your rig. (Vehicle windshield sunshades may fit your RV’s windows and are easily positioned/removed.)
- Cover ceiling vent fans and shower skylight to prevent heat intrusion.
- Use the campground showers or limit shower time in your RV to reduce humidity and heat.
- Cook outside rather than in your RV’s kitchen or serve salads and sandwiches. This will keep cooking humidity and heat outside your rig.
- Run your RV’s ceiling fan and other portable fans inside your rig to keep the air moving.
- Close off the parts of your RV that you aren’t using during the day. For example, we can close the RV’s bedroom door and close off the A/C vents in the bedroom.
- Reposition A/C vents so that they direct cooled air to where you are sitting.
- Take advantage of nearby water. Cool off in the campground’s pool or in a nearby lake.
Beyond basics
If you plan to remain in areas of extreme heat, you may want to go beyond the basics. Here are a few additional steps you can take to keep your RV cool.
- Line the back of closets and cupboards with an insulating material. We use Reflectix because it’s easy to use and it works well to keep out the heat. Just cut it to fit and place it against the back of closets and cupboards. (You may need to use a bit of painter’s tape to hold it in place.)
- Replace old interior RV lights with cooler LED lighting.
- Make sure your refrigerator exterior vents are clean to maximize the fridge’s cooling power and reduce its running time. That way it will reduce the amount of heat generated by the appliance.
- Purchase an awning shade like this one to attach to your rig’s existing awning. Or fashion your own. Just remember to pay attention to the wind and retract the awning when necessary.
- Plan indoor activities away from the RV during the hottest times of day. Tour local museums, wineries, and other venues that will offer relief from the heat.
- A basic rule of thumb is that for every 1,000 feet rise in elevation, the temperature drops approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If possible, go to a higher elevation to escape the heat—even if only for the hottest part of the day.
Do you have additional tips and tricks for beating the heat? Please share your ideas with us in the comments.
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First two not feasible if at CG’s. Position of your rig will be dictated by layout of CG and if tree’s are even available. Only possible while boondocking, though the rest of “basics” are certainly viable. Just my opinion, great writing ✍️ by the way 😀.
Thanks, Gil. Enjoy your day!
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Excellent suggestions; thank you! Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂
I love summer time. I spend as much time outside as I can (but avoid sun). We almost always stay on a river which gives us great views all the time. We don’t take many steps to keep the inside of the rig cool- we just deal with it unless the temps are in the 90’s and 100’s. -Then I’ll close the windshield curtains.
Reflectix is great. I cut pieces for large windows and place behind the shades for sun facing windows. We’ll remove in the evening and reinstall after lunch. When not using we store under mattress.
Ha, didn’t see your post, Tom I. Great minds think alike 🙂 .
Reconsider closing off unused day space as the things in the room heat up and will take extra time and energy to get cooled off later.
Refletix, a reflective bubble wrap type of foil comes in various widths and lengths at Home Depot. Generics are offered too. At home, I put it up against our old thermal pane patio door leading to a western exposure concrete patio, which does a great job soaking up summer heat. The room is much cooler. Apply the same thing to your RV.
Repeating someone else’s suggestion in RV Travel awhile back, put this kind of material on your outside wall behind the ‘frig. Helps a bunch.