Summer Road Trips: Keeping Your RV Cool

Summer travel in your RV is a fun way to vacation. When taking to the road, stay cool and comfortable to ensure your overall enjoyment from start to finish. While using window air conditioners make for an efficient, quiet and cost-effective solution, there are still other things you can do to beat the heat.

From window air conditioners to tarps, here’s our favorite tricks for keeping your RV cool, giving you the relief you need on a hot summer day.

Know Where The Sun Is

Knowing exactly when the sun is at its hottest and making decisions based on these facts is your first line of defense to beat the heat. The sun rises in the east, so parking your RV to avoid the early morning light is a great way to keep you cool during breakfast. The ideal combination of avoiding direct sunlight and finding adequate shade is a great defense against heat in your RV.

Create Your Own Shade

When adequate shade is at a minimum, you can always create your own shade with a simple addition of a tarp. Available at a very cheap price, tarps can stretch between your RV and the ground to provide much needed shade. Tarps are also easy to clean and store rather easily, making them a great solution for that much-desired shade on a summer day.

Open Your Awnings

In addition to shade, be sure to open up all of your awnings when you park your RV. While the open awnings provide a bit of shade, they also give air circulation and encourage cooler air to pass through your RV. For the best cooling effects, make sure your largest awning is in the direction that avoids the sun. This will ensure that the coolest air makes it way through your RV.

Tips for Buying the Right Window AC

Unfortunately, you cannot avoid sunlight completely in your RV. Which is precisely why window air conditioners are one of the most effective solutions to keeping your vehicle cool. When shopping for a window AC, know the dimensions of your space to ensure you get the correct amount of cooling action. There are many brands, sizes and BTU differences in window air conditioners. The big box stores carry a wide variety and often run specials throughout the summer months. They are priced competitively so shop around to get the best deal. Aside from the price, it would be wise to consider its noise, ease of installation, weight and settings.

With summer underway, the success of your RV road trip is dependent on how you handle the boiling temperatures outside. With a little bit of research and some good features on your air conditioner, you will be ready to hit the open road in cool comfort.