With record heat this summer, many RVers are struggling with cooling down the RV when they either have no air conditioning or simply the air conditioning can’t keep up with the higher than normal temperatures. And this summer, the heat wave has started even earlier, so it looks to be a record breaking summer for heat this year.
But many don’t want to give up their trips this summer, so here are some ways to cool down your RV and heat the heat this summer. As a bonus, many of these tricks work when you are at home too!
Elevation
One of the simplest ways to keep cool during a heatwave while RVing is simply to get some elevation. The higher you get, the cooler it will be. Unfortunately, not everywhere has a place within a reasonable distance to get enough elevation to make a difference, but if you live in a more mountainous region, head up to parks at higher elevations to beat the heat.
Shade
If you are camping on BLM land, this will be much easier to get a spot in the shade beneath trees. Alternatively, if you are planning to stay in a campground that does offer some shaded spots, it might make sense for you to pay the premium to reserve one of the shaded spots instead of taking what spot the campground gives you. However, keep in mind that these spots will be most in demand, so you may need to check multiple campgrounds before you find a spot with shade available.
Campsite Orientation
While you may be limited in how you can park within your site, try and park so that your largest windows, refrigerator vents and air conditioning units are in the shade or at least so they don’t get direct morning or afternoon sun as much as possible.
For those unsure, this usually mean you want the shade on the west side of your RV.
Roof Covering
There are two ways to do a roof covering in your RV. If you are somewhere stationary for a long duration, it might make sense to install one of those RV shelters over your RV to keep the sun from directly hitting your RV’s roof. You will want to keep the sides open in order to allow for proper ventilation and keep the shelter from acting more like a sauna that heat prevention.
The other way is to place a tarp on your roof, preferably a light colored one to reflect the sun. Carefully place pool noodles or wood on the roof then place the tarp on top, so the tarp is not sitting directly on the roof as much as possible.
However, if you are fortunate enough to have an air conditioner on your roof, you need to ensure this is not covered, so in that case, only an RV shelter would work for you.
Window Coverings
While window coverings on the inside will work, ideally you want to add window coverings onto the outside of the RV instead so that the glass does not get as heated as much. And in extreme temperatures, windows can actually get cracked if the sun is going through the glass before hitting a reflected window covering and going back out again. When you place window coverings on the outside instead, it helps keep the windows and RV frame from getting as hot.
That said, if you can’t cover or shade from the outside, keeping the window coverings closed inside will help immensely with the heat.
If you don’t have window coverings, you can purchase them custom made by many sellers on Etsy, or you can purchase this and make them yourself – even just as simply as cutting it to size and propping it in each window..
Skylight Coverings
If you are unable to cover the roof from the outside, use one of the RV skylight insultated covers to keep the sun from heating up the RV through the skylights. You will need to decide if it makes more sense to cover the skylight or to leave it uncovered and use the fan, however. But when the sun is directly overhead, usually covering the skylight is the better solution.
Don’t forget there is probably a skylight in your bathroom too! Many forget about this one.
- Durable RV Skylight Insulator: Blocks and protects against the sun's...
- Fits all Camper, Travel Trailer, RV, Motorhome 14 x 14 roof vents
Cover the Door’s Window
A privacy shade covering the window that is in most RV doors is something that many newer RVs have but likely is not an option in your older RV. If you are handy and your window is the default door size, you can swap out the regular window with a window that has a built in privacy shade. Or you can simply use a window covering that uses magnets. hooks or clips to cover the window instead.
- Measures 16.2 inch x 25.2 inch and fold for easy storage
- Function: the sunshield reflective cover helps control the temperature...
- EXTRA PROTECTION: Reliable RV window shades protect furniture,...
Upgrade Roof Vent
If your RV roof vent isn’t cutting it, consider installing a Max Air roof vent instead. These are considered the best of the RV roof vans and can really help with the air flow.
- It has controls at ceiling
Use the awnings
The awnings don’t just provide shade for people sitting outside, it also acts to keep the sun from heating up the RV through the exterior windows on the side too. Just be aware of any windy conditions if you are leaving your awning extended while not at the RV.
Add an Awning Shade
An awning shade adds additional shade to your awning area by attaching to the edge of the awning to the ground. It adds extra shade, especially when the sun is lower in the sky.
They come in a wide variety of sizes to fit any awning (click the color – Brown, Black or Blue – below then you can select the size)
- UV BLOCK & OPEN VIEW – Used as front RV awning, blocks about 86% of...
- UV BLOCK & OPEN VIEW – Used as front RV awning, blocks about 86% of...
- SUN BLOCK & OPEN VIEW - Leaveshade RV Awning Front Shade block the sun...
You can also add side awning shades as well.
SUN BLOCK & OPEN VIEW - Leaveshade RV Awning Front Shade block the...
There are also complete rooms you can add to your RV awning, but they tend to be on the pricey side. But it might be worth it if you tend to stay in one place for longer periods of times or RV full time.
- Fits traditional manual and 12V vertical Arm awnings. Note: Size...
Cook Outdoors
Limit anything inside that generates heat, and that includes cooking. Stick with no-cook meals as much as you can, such as salads, sandwiches, cold pasta salad etc so you aren’t having to use the microwave or stove. And plan ahead for some BBQ meals that can be entirely cooked outdoors whether it is something simple as burgers or hot dogs or something more complex like grilled fish with roasted veggies on the barbeque.
Blackstone is by far the most recommended outdoor barbeque set up for RVers… and there are entire Facebook groups dedicated to it.
- GRIDDLE ON THE GO: Blackstone 17 inch tabletop griddle is the perfect...
Fans
Clip on fans can attach to most window edges and are very popular with RV’ers. Simply clip to the edge of the open window to use. If it is a floor or table model, you can put frozen bottles of water behind the fan to get the air circulating even cooler.
You can also get a fan with a mister attached as well to help keep cool.
If you are boondocking, there are plenty of USB powered fans, or battery operated with chargeable built in batteries, which also means you can attach them to a battery back and use them outside or in places in the RV where you might not have a plug available.
- 【Unique Power Bank Function】 Your phone is dead? Take it easy!...
Personal Misting Fans
If you have ever been to Disneyland or another theme park, you have probably seen these sold. Fill the water bottle, turn on the fan and you have your own personal mister. We like this first one because it is USB rechargeable.
- ★New Misting Design:Enjoy a different cooling experience by manually...
This clip on fan has a mister on it too!
Ice Cubes
Table top ice makers can be amazing in the summer. You need to drink water, but you can add ice cubes to help cool down as you drink too, which will help immensely… and don’t forget to add electrolytes to your water if needed, which is especially important in high heat. Keeping hydrated with plenty of ice water ensures you are getting enough fluids in ultra-high temperature weather, which is crucial to your health.
You can also use your ice maker to make ice packs. Simply place ice in a ziploc bag and place on your body to help cool down.
Table top ice cube makers make ice in 5 or so minutes, so you can keep it going to ensure you have plenty of ice as needed.
- MODERN DESIGN: Stainless Steel Ice Maker with a large transparent...
- Compact Ice Maker and Wide Applications : This countertop portable ice...
Cooling Towels
While the science behind cooling towels is still being debated, they definitely make you feel cooler when you use it. Simply get them wet, snap them in the air a couple times then use. Some are larger can be used as a shawl while others are smaller to simply place on your forehead or back of the neck. This is the one I use and personally, I love this size so I can drape it across my back, around my shoulders and then the ends fall down the front.
- 💧【INSTANT COOLING】- Our cooling towel is made of microfiber...
- 💧【INSTANT COOLING】- Our cooling towel is made of microfiber...
Awning Mister
While larger misters you can install on your awning can be very hard to find once summer hits, if you can manage to find one, they can make you feel so much cooler during the hottest parts of the day. They don’t use up too much water, but if you are boondocking you may need to consider the extra water to use the misters.
- 【Premium Product Quality】: Solid brass hose/faucet connecting...
Canopy & “Clams”
Some RV parks and campgrounds allow you to place a canopy – or the ever-popular clam – but not all do, so you will need to check in advance. However, some might make exceptions due to extreme heat, so if you are already booked into a campground or park that does not permit them, ask if they will make an exception if the weather gets above a certain temperature.
Click the color, then change to the preferred size.
- ESCAPE MODEL SPECS: Lightweight, portable canopy designed to provide...
- ESCAPE MODEL SPECS: Lightweight, portable canopy designed to provide...
- TRAVELER MODEL SPECS: Lightweight, portable canopy designed to provide...
- ☀Highlight: design patented Lightest Pop Up Screen Room for 4-6...
Air Flow
Keep the air circulating in your RV by opening windows on opposite sides of the RV. This is especially important once the sun goes down and it begins to get a bit cooler, so you can circulate the warmer air inside for the fresh and cooler air outside.
Light Bulbs
Does your RV still have the older style incandescent light bulbs? While newer RVs have come with LED lights for a while, swapping out your old light bulbs with the much cooler LEDs will make a huge difference in the heat generated by your lights.
Turn off Electronics
Turn off anything that doesn’t need to be powered on as nearly all appliances and electronics generate at least some heat and that will all add up. So consider unplugging anything sitting on a charger that is fully charged already, unplugging the television, coffee maker, etc.
Clean Vents
Make sure all vents are cleaned and any filters are checked and replaced if needed. You want to ensure nothing is blocking your refrigerator vents from removing as much heat as possible from your RV, as they generate significant amounts of heat while it works to keep your fridge cool.
If you have an air conditioner, you will also want to ensure the filter is replaced if needed. You would be surprised at how many RV owners are shocked to discover they should have been replacing a filter in their air conditioning model. If you are unsure if your model has a filter that needs replacing or cleaning, check your manual.
Swamp Cooler
If you are a little bit handy, you can make a swamp cooler for your RV. There are a ton of tutorials on YouTube, using a variety of items, so watch a few and see what might work for you. However, do be aware if you are adding a lot of humidity to your RV, especially in humid climates.
Remember
Always be watching for signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion during hot weather, especially if the weather is unusually hot for you. Look for cooler activities you can do during the day that have air conditioning, such as museum, or other cooler activities.
And don’t forget the heat affects not just humans but your pets too, so be sure to keep your pets sufficiently cool too.
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