How to Manage Extreme Heat in Your RV This Summer
Summer may be the prime camping season, but it’s far from the most comfortable time of year to hit the road. As temperatures climb, keeping your RV cool can be challenging. While keeping your appliances tuned up and staying on top of routine maintenance can help, there are a few other things you can do to keep your rig cooler so you and your loved ones can enjoy the trip. Here are a few tips to help.
Invest in Reflective Window Covers
RV windows can be thin and most, especially in older rigs, are just single panes of automotive glass. This is durable, but it does mean a lot of the heat outside can seep into your rig, making the temperature indoors overly warm. Invest in reflective window covers that you can use to block out the sun and the warmth during the hottest parts of the day. You can buy reflective window covers online or make your own by purchasing a roll of Reflectix insulation at your closest hardware store.
Cook Your Meals Outside
Cooking can add a lot of heat to your home on wheels. And during the hottest months of the year, even a few degrees of extra heat can make your rig unbearable. If you can, try cooking your meals outdoors. Consider cooking over a campfire for fun or use a propane stove or induction cooktop on a heat-safe table outdoors.
If you don’t want to cook outside, consider planning meals that use refrigerated ingredients and prepare anything that needs to be cooked before your trip. You can enjoy healthy salads, sandwiches, and other meals without generating heat at all.
Insulate Your Skylights
Your skylights can help you get hot air out of your rig at night, but you’ll probably want to insulate them during the day. This will make your RV darker, but it’ll also keep the sun from seeping in through the plastic covers and can help you keep your RV cooler. You can buy skylight covers online and at most RV dealerships.
Upgrade Your Lighting to LED Bulbs
Did you know that standard RV light bulbs can generate a lot of heat, especially if you leave them on for a long time? They can, and as a result, they can heat your rig up quickly. Instead of using traditional incandescent light bulbs that get so hot they can be painful to touch, upgrade your bulbs with LED versions. LED bulbs last longer, use less energy, and generate virtually no heat even when they’re left on for hours.
Look for Shady Parking Spaces
Some campgrounds have shaded sites that can help keep your rig cooler and out of direct sunlight while you’re parked. When you’re making reservations, consider calling the campground to see what your options are. Often, their staff will happily reserve a site with shade so you can stay cooler. If you book online and get stuck with a site that gets full sun all day long, ask if you can move to a better spot.
Get Your Air Conditioning Tuned Up
Of course, the best way to keep your RV cool is to make sure your air conditioner is in good condition before your trip. Schedule a tune-up with a professional repair technician at goHomePort. Our team will keep your rig in good working order.
Go Back Invest in Reflective Window Covers
RV windows can be thin and most, especially in older rigs, are just single panes of automotive glass. This is durable, but it does mean a lot of the heat outside can seep into your rig, making the temperature indoors overly warm. Invest in reflective window covers that you can use to block out the sun and the warmth during the hottest parts of the day. You can buy reflective window covers online or make your own by purchasing a roll of Reflectix insulation at your closest hardware store.
Cook Your Meals Outside
Cooking can add a lot of heat to your home on wheels. And during the hottest months of the year, even a few degrees of extra heat can make your rig unbearable. If you can, try cooking your meals outdoors. Consider cooking over a campfire for fun or use a propane stove or induction cooktop on a heat-safe table outdoors.
If you don’t want to cook outside, consider planning meals that use refrigerated ingredients and prepare anything that needs to be cooked before your trip. You can enjoy healthy salads, sandwiches, and other meals without generating heat at all.
Insulate Your Skylights
Your skylights can help you get hot air out of your rig at night, but you’ll probably want to insulate them during the day. This will make your RV darker, but it’ll also keep the sun from seeping in through the plastic covers and can help you keep your RV cooler. You can buy skylight covers online and at most RV dealerships.
Upgrade Your Lighting to LED Bulbs
Did you know that standard RV light bulbs can generate a lot of heat, especially if you leave them on for a long time? They can, and as a result, they can heat your rig up quickly. Instead of using traditional incandescent light bulbs that get so hot they can be painful to touch, upgrade your bulbs with LED versions. LED bulbs last longer, use less energy, and generate virtually no heat even when they’re left on for hours.
Look for Shady Parking Spaces
Some campgrounds have shaded sites that can help keep your rig cooler and out of direct sunlight while you’re parked. When you’re making reservations, consider calling the campground to see what your options are. Often, their staff will happily reserve a site with shade so you can stay cooler. If you book online and get stuck with a site that gets full sun all day long, ask if you can move to a better spot.
Get Your Air Conditioning Tuned Up
Of course, the best way to keep your RV cool is to make sure your air conditioner is in good condition before your trip. Schedule a tune-up with a professional repair technician at goHomePort. Our team will keep your rig in good working order.