Summer is a great time to be an RV owner. The campgrounds are open, the weather is nice and there is no better time to take your RV out for a drive, park at a scenic location and take in the beauty of nature. If you know how to keep your RV cool in the summer then you’re in a perfect position to enjoy the season.
The problem with summer is that it’s hot and not finding ways to keep your RV cool makes for a miserable experience. However, if you know what to do with your RV in the summer heat, then you’ll be a pro at how to stay cool while camping.
How Can You Cool Down Your RV Without AC?
If you don’t have air conditioning already built into your RV, staying cool during the summer months can be difficult but it’s certainly not impossible. With a few easy tricks and a little bit of creativity, you’ll have no problem keeping cool while you’re out camping.
Park in a Shaded Location
This may seem like a no-brainer but it’s one of the easiest steps you can take to keep your RV cool in the summer. Find shady locations at parks and campgrounds and don’t be afraid to move with the shade throughout the day. Be sure to consult park maps to find good locations. Finally, remember that a good rule of thumb is to park with your trailer facing north to northwest.
Cook Outside
Another easy solution that you can start doing almost every day is to cook outside as often as possible. The heat from stove tops and grills is guaranteed to make your RV far hotter than you’re comfortable with. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with outdoor cooking materials like a portable grill, utensils, picnic accessories and a folding food prep station.
Use Shades
Put the shades in your RV to good use to keep the heat out and the cool air in. Make sure all shades and blinds are drawn as often as possible. Also use your awnings and window shades to keep the sun out. You can even buy additional shades or canopy tents for further coverage.
Add Fans and a Dehumidifier
Fans will be your best friend in the summer. Plug in some electric fans throughout your RV to get the air circulating. In particular, install them near the door or windows to blow in air from outside or put in a ceiling fan.
In addition to fans, a dehumidifier will help too. Humidity is sure to make your RV a lot warmer and uncomfortable than usual. A good dehumidifier will suck out that humidity so that your space doesn’t feel hotter than it actually is.
How Do You Stay Cool When You Have AC?
If you have an air conditioner installed in your RV, you’re already at an advantage in terms of staying cool during the summer. However, things won’t always be as easy as you think. The RV can still get hot with the AC on and if you’re not maintaining it consistently over time, then things are going to get a lot harder than they need to be.
In addition to the above tips, try these strategies to keep your RV cool in the summer, even with the AC running.
Cool the Rig
This is an easy step to take every day to help you stay cool, even if you have AC. Cooling the rig early in the morning before it gets too hot will set you up for an easier day as the sun rises and the weather heats up.
Change the Air Conditioner Filters
A basic step to air conditioner maintenance, clogged air filters mean that you’re not receiving the cool air you should be getting. Especially if you’re regularly hitting dusty trails, those filters are prone to get clogged quickly. Cleaning them is as easy as using a handheld vacuum cleaner or washing them by hand with soap and water.
Maintain Critical Components of the AC
Air conditioner maintenance goes beyond cleaning filters. There are several critical components that should be checked regularly to make sure the AC is running properly.
This includes the evaporator, which is located in the roof. Remove the cover and make sure it is free of dust, insects and other debris. Voltage is another area to inspect. If you’re plugging into shore power at a new location, check your voltage before running the AC to make sure you’re getting enough power to run it at maximum capacity. It should come in at 110 volts or higher. Finally, there is the capacitor, a common cause of a broken down AC. These should always be repaired by a professional.
How to Keep Your RV Cool While Driving
All of these tips are great if you’ve parked your RV and are planning to stay there for the day but you’re probably wondering how you can keep cool while you’re driving too. There are certainly some additional steps you can take.
Keep the windows open
Allow the outdoor air to keep your RV cool by opening the windows. This trick works whether you have built-in AC or not and requires little effort.
Get the fans running
Don’t forget to take full advantage of any fans or air conditioning you have in the RV. If you’re not getting a lot of cool air through the open windows, running the devices you already have in the vehicle is going to be extremely beneficial.
Use your Air Conditioning
Fortunately, it’s possible to keep some air conditioning running while you’re driving the RV. The dashboard AC, which comes through the vents on the RV’s dashboard, can always be on while you’re driving because the engine powers it. However, it’s not always enough to cool the rest of the RV.
That’s where your rooftop air conditioning comes in. It sits on the roof of the RV and is meant to cool the entire vehicle. The catch is that you can only use this if it’s safe to use your generator while driving. If you do use it, your fuel costs will be higher but your RV will be much cooler.
Start Planning Your Trip
Now that you know how to keep an RV cool, it’s time to start getting excited for your summer road trip. Make sure your RV is equipped with everything you need to beat the summer heat and book your stay.