How to Maintain Cool in Your RV in Summer

No matter how high the temperature climbs, enjoy beautiful summer weather by keeping your RV cool on the hottest days.

Don’t let the summer heat stop you from crossing things off your summer bucket list; summer is a great season to take an RV trip.

Your RV may get overheated very fast if there is no robust central air conditioning system and high temperatures are present.

On very hot days, cooling an RV often calls for additional measures beyond the normal cooling system.

Only 16 to 22 degrees will separate the ambient temperature from the temperature of the conditioned air when an RV air conditioner is functioning effectively.

Implementing simple tactics can help your cooling system work more efficiently and keep your RV as cold as possible.

You can avoid sweating the summer heat with little forward preparation and insider knowledge.

The following summertime RV cooling ideas can assist your whole family in beating the heat and concentrating on enjoying some outside activities.

#1. Park in a Shaded Area

The shade aspect is one of the most crucial factors to take into account when choosing a campground in the summer since it helps to keep your RV from turning into a steamy sauna.

as temperatures are warmer in the afternoon when the sun is at its strongest.

If at all feasible, position your RV such that the warmest portion of the day will be shaded.

Place any trees on the western side of your vehicle, and in the morning, utilize your awning for shade.

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#2. Construct Shade

Utilizing the shade that is around will help keep your RV cool throughout the heat.

Nature’s air conditioner is shade.

Even if your campsite is shaded, make the most of it by keeping your awning down and setting up a shaded area for relaxation using tarps.

To protect any adjacent trees, use straps that are kind to trees, such as broad nylon.

If there aren’t any trees close by, acquire a big tarp and tie one end to the roof of your RV while staking the other end to the ground to create a triangle-shaped shaded space.

#3. Follow the Current.

Orienting your RV with the wind is a quick and easy approach to produce ventilation within the vehicle.

In the United States, the wind typically blows from west to east.

Check the local weather where you’re going and attempt to set up your equipment so you can benefit from wind patterns.

To keep dust, insects, and debris at bay, leave windows open and utilize screens.

Your RV will stay cooler throughout the day thanks to the wind.

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#4. Purchase A Travel Fan (Or Two)

Consider buying a cheap fan if you’re wondering how to keep your RV cool throughout the summer on a tight budget.

To circulate heated air, produce a breeze, and cool your RV, a modest portable fan may go a long way.

Set up two fans in your RV’s windows, one facing inward to draw cold air in during the evening and the other facing outward to push hot air out.

Use shaded windows throughout the day to let cooler air in.

#5. Keep Your Windows Safe

The convenient insulated window coverings you use in the winter are as effective at keeping out heat as they are cold.

Glass is a poor insulator, thus it will allow the heat to enter.

Make careful to use drapes or insulated window coverings to cover any sunny windows or large expanses of glass, including windshields and picture windows.

#6. Every Morning, Shut Your Windows.

You may get a pleasant, cold air by opening your windows at night so you can sleep well.

By shutting your windows as soon as you get up each morning, you may prolong the duration of this chilly air in your camper.

Prior to the sun rising and warming the outside air, try to shut your windows.

This will keep hot, humid outside air and chilly nocturnal air inside the RV.

#7. Utilize Reflective Insulation

If you don’t have window awnings, use reflective insulation to help keep the sun out of your RV.

Depending on the thickness of the glass, heat from the sun may enter your RV via the windows.

However, reflective insulation may deflect the sun’s rays away from the windows to keep the heat out.

At home improvement shops, you may get reflective insulation in a variety of sizes for a reasonable price.

To keep the inside of your RV cooler, products like reflective insulation deflect the light away from it.

Simply cut a piece of reflective insulation to suit each of your windows, and then fix it against the windows or windshield using mini-blinds, window visors, or day/night shades.

Reflective insulation may deflect up to 97 percent of the sun’s radiant energy away from your windows, depending on the product type you choose.

#8. Maintain Efficiency in Your Cooling System

If you have a cooling system, keep it operating effectively.

You can optimize your cooling system and get the coldest air possible out of it with the aid of proper maintenance.

Make sure all filters are kept clean to sustain your air conditioning system.

This improves the unit’s efficiency and makes cooling your RV simpler.

Regularly check your filters, and clean or replace them as needed.

#9. Prepare Outside

Running an oven or stove is the best way to heat up an RV.

In order to prevent suffocating heat buildup inside your rig, avoid using the interior kitchen on hot days and instead cook outside.

Try these entertaining camping dishes, and wow your loved ones with the mouthwatering food you prepare over the campfire.

As you spend time inside or outdoors of your RV, you may also stay cool by enjoying some delectable frozen snacks.

#10. Skylight Covers

Any skylights generate heat since the summer sun is so high in the sky.

To keep out any solar radiation coming in from above, use insulating blankets.

This will assist in keeping your RV cooler, particularly on really hot days.

#11. Keep The Door Shaded.

A covered outdoor area also prevents heat buildup near your entrance.

To do this, position your RV such that your entrance and awning are shaded for the most of the day.

Positioning your entrance toward the south usually entails dealing with the peak summer sun.

The shade provided by the awning keeps the sun off the area outside, making it cooler.

Remember that if your trailer has a lot of large windows on the north side, this technique won’t work as well.

Strike a balance between providing shade and leaving substantial glass exposed to the sun.

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#12. Boost Air Circulation

In your RV, proper ventilation may help avoid excessive heat.

To improve ventilation in the RV, you may add vent covers over the existing roof vents.

They allow in the fresh air even when it is pouring and are affordable, simple to install.

Use vent covers on the RV’s two ends to encourage cross-ventilation.

#13. Frequently Clean Fridge Vents

The refrigerator is one of the main generators of heat in an RV.

The refrigerator must release enormous quantities of heat in order to keep your food cold.

The temperature inside your RV rises as a result of the heat radiating from the equipment.

To ensure that the heat is adequately vented, keep the vent on your RV refrigerator as clean as you can.

Make sure the vent isn’t clogged with dirt and debris from your travels by periodically checking it.

#14. Use LED Lights, Please

Less heat is produced by LEDs than by conventional lights.

Making the switch to LEDs will make your RV more energy-efficient and keep it cooler in the summer.

Be careful to turn off the lights during the day and only use power when required while keeping an eye on energy efficiency.

#15. Keep All Electronics Off.

Consider keeping modern technology off on warm days if your RV is equipped with it.

Like any other appliance, electronics like TVs, computers, and other gadgets generate heat.

Limiting your time spent on screens will keep your equipment as cool as possible and enable you to completely experience nature without interruptions from technology.

#16. Shut The Door, Please

Avoid keeping windows and doors open while the temperature is high and the air conditioner is on.

Even though it might be challenging when children and animals are constantly coming and going, try to limit door openings throughout the day to keep your RV cool.

#17. Using A Swamp Cooler

Use an evaporative cooler to keep cool while traveling in arid locations.

It may be a productive technique to cool an RV and is also referred to as a swamp cooler.

A five-gallon bucket, a fish tank pump, a forced air filter, and a little bit of creativity may be used to create your own mini-swamp chiller.

But if that seems too hard, you may still stay cool at night by placing a suitably moist towel over your head or neck and using a fan to blow the air about.

You can maintain your RV’s comfort over the summer by using these methods.

You can maintain your rig a cool home base for your next big journey by starting by getting a better grasp of how the sun crosses your campground.

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Written by Bob Matsuoka
Bob Matsuoka is a blogger and founder of RVing Beginner blog. He has been blogging for over five years, writing about his own family’s RV adventures, tips for people who are interested in buying an RV or taking their family on an adventure by RV.