How to Keep Your RV Cool This Summer
There is no better time to go RV’ing than in the summer unless you’re unprepared. RV’ers are always wondering how to keep their RV cool in the summer. We have 15 tips to improve your RV summer experience broken up into five sections. If you’re planning to go RV’ing this summer then keep reading!
THROW SOME SHADE
A very easy way to cool your RV in the summer is to throw some shade and this can be done in various ways.
Number 1, request a shaded spot at the RV park you’re staying at, or if you’re boondocking, find a tree or other shaded area. Many RV parks will let you select a site, you just have to ask. A good way to find shaded sites is to use Google Maps to look at the park and then compare that to the maps offered on the RV park’s website. For boondockers, just look at your location and find an area that offers a little relief from the sun.
Learn how to keep your RV cool in the summer heat. From special window coverings and parking your RV right, to SoftStartRV and RV Airflow. Find out all the tips and tricks you can do to stay cool!
Number 2 put your awnings out! Awnings will provide shade for that side of the unit and can drastically decrease the temperatures of your unit. Don’t leave them out in the wind though or you could be watching a very expensive kite fly away.
Number 3 is to add Reflectix Insulation to the windows. This bubble wrap-looking insulation is easy to install and very cheap. A 4’x10’ roll will run you about $35 and can be found on Amazon, at a local hardware store, or just about any RV supply store. To install it you’ll need to measure your windows and then cut to fit. Then affix Velcro or 3M tape to the piece and attach it to the metal window sill. We leave the bottom unattached so we can roll it up when we want natural light and fresh air.
Number 4 comes into play if you have skylights. Skylights allow wonderful natural light in but also heat. You can purchase skylight inserts at a relatively cheap price or use the Reflectix insulation. The insert is going to provide much better insulation but if you need a quick fix go with the Reflectix.
Number 5 is for people with motorhomes. Motorhomes have large windows that can allow a lot of heat in but should also come with a privacy screen. The screen should provide some shade but we also recommend either an internal or external window cover to give you that extra shading.
Need more inspiration for RV travel? Click HERE!
Number 6 and quite possibly the most expensive tip is to add slide-out toppers. The price and installation cost of toppers can be prohibitive but they do offer many upsides. Toppers will protect your slide-outs from snow, rain, debris, and yes, sunlight. They add a space in between the topper and the slide-out roof that allows for airflow and can significantly cool the unit. Again, they are expensive but are well worth the cost.
PARK IT RIGHT
The tips in this section are very easy and all depend on how you park your RV. Tip Number 7 in how to cool your RV in the summer is for motorhomes with those big windows. Simply park your motorhome with the window facing away from the sun. Number 8 is for all RV’ers; park your RV with the side you want to stay the coolest facing away from where the sun is during the hottest part of the day. That leads us to tip number nine.
KEEP IT CHILL
Your RV refrigerator will struggle to maintain temperature on a hot summer day. Parking the refrigerator side of your RV away from the sun is tip Number 9. Number 10 is to NOT overpack your refrigerator. Airflow is critical to keeping your fridge cool so make sure you keep the sides and back free of items.
Tip Number 11 on how to keep your RV cool in the summer is to place icepacks in your fridge. We have four icepacks and rotate two of them in the fridge at a time. Placing one on the top and bottom shelves will help balance the cool air and keep the temperature down. Number 12 is to add refrigerator fans. These small, battery-powered fans, are a cheap way to help keep the airflow going in the fridge. Place one on the top and bottom shelves in your fridge and you’ll be amazed at how much better it performs.
AU NATURALE (AKA BOONDOCKING) TIPS
People love to go Au Naturale (boondocking) and that means little to no power. If you’re doing this it’s important to follow the tips in the Throw Some Shade and Park it Right sections. But the Number 13 tip is simply open up when it’s cool, and shut it down when it’s hot. That means opening up your windows and door when it’s cooler out so that cool air can come in. When the temps get hotter close things down and shade the windows. Throughout this, it’s important to keep your vents open to allow that hot air to escape.
AIR CONDITIONING
The last, and possibly the most important section for how to keep your RV cool in the summer is all about air conditioning. If you don’t have power, or your power is inadequate to run your A/C you could have a miserable RV experience. Tips 14 and 15 are about getting the most out of your RV A/C units.
SoftStartRV
Tip Number 14, add a SoftStartRV to your A/C. SoftStartRV is a device that reduces the startup demand of an A/C unit by up to 70% thereby allowing you to run your units with much less power. The results are amazing and will allow you to do the following: run two A/C units on 30-amp, run one A/C unit on a small portable generator, run one A/C unit on a 20-amp household hookup, or even run one or two A/C units using your onboard inverter system (if you have one). You can find all the information and technical data on their website.
The SoftStartRV product works on any RV A/C unit, comes with free shipping, a 90-day love it or return it policy, “rooftop” support (they will help you install it over the phone), free tech support, and a best in industry warranty.
Installation can take 30-60 minutes depending on your capabilities and is very straightforward. We highly recommend you contact the company and set up an installation support call. They will stay on the phone with you through the entire installation! They also have a new “no cut, no splice” installation process that makes it even easier.
The freedom that this product gives you is a game-changer. Try RV’ing in 95-degree heat on 30-amps or a generator and you may just find yourself seeking out a hotel room. The SoftStartRV gives you the freedom to camp where you want, how you want, and at a very affordable price. You can save $30, $60 or even $150 on your purchase by using our link.
Active Duty and Military Veterans save an ADDITIONAL 10% by using this link.
RV AIRFLOW
One of the biggest causes of a hot RV is bad A/C airflow. Number 15, the final tip on how to keep your RV cool in the summer is to add an RV Airflow module to your unit. The RV Airflow product can increase your airflow by an average of 40% and is like having a second A/C, without the $1,000 cost.
RV AirFlow is a module that is installed in the plenum of your RV A/C. It captures 100% of the airflow from the supply and delivers it directly to your ducts thereby increasing efficiency and airflow by an average of 40%.
You will need to access RVAirFlow.com to ensure they have a product that fits your RV and A/C unit. If they do not have a compatible unit listed you can follow their instructions to determine if one of their products will fit.
The installation process is pretty straightforward and unit-specific instructions will come in the box. We were able to complete it in about 30 minutes.
If you’re interested in the RV AirFlow System you can click HERE and use our discount code to save 15%! Just input HINTONTHETRAIL15 when you checkout.
CONCLUSION
Summer RV’ing can be fantastic unless the heat ruins it. How to cool your RV in summer shouldn’t be a challenge and these 15 tips to improve your RV experience will help make your summer RV adventures cool…literally. We’d love to hear your thoughts on any idea you might have or the results you found by following our tips so make sure to leave us a comment.
This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy here.
Park it right is a great tip. We try to park our vintage Airstream with the front pointing north to “manage the sun”. The morning sun comes under the awning to warm us up. After a while we are plenty warm and then the awning protects us from the hot sun throughout the day. In the late afternoon and evening the Airstream is hot but we are cool under the awning with the fan on and enjoying a cool beverage. We then turn on our 5k window A/C and sleep comfortably.
This is really great info considering we one day inspire to upgrade our 5th wheel to an Airstream! Thank you!