It is that time of year when the snow starts to melt and the sun begins to beat down on everything near and far. Most RVers are breaking out their motorhomes from winterized storage units or planning trips with their remaining vacation days. Without much thinking, the routes taken may seem like a breeze, but there many spots along the interstates that reach temperatures of 100 degrees or more during the summer months.
Avoiding high heat should be number one on any traveler’s list this summer. One traveler, Tom Steinhagen, stayed in Mesa, AZ, a few summers, “At the time [I] had a 31 foot Class C, [and] could not get the temperature below 92 degrees at a county park.” Places like Southern Arizona and California are always on the list of frequent RVers but the summer months can be brutal on motorhomes and trailers alike. It’s best to avoid high heat areas like these when planning summer vacations. Occasionally there might not be another choice, as RVers know, when the sun goes down and the fatigue of driving hits.
Keeping an RV cool during the Summer requires more planning than finding a shady spot at the local RV park. Although that is the first thing you should do, campgrounds with shaded parking will be highly sought out during the Summer. Be sure to plan ahead to avoid being left in the sun out to dry!
Even though a shady spot can be an RVer’s best bet to keeping the temperature down, there are a few other things a summer traveler can do to avoid the heat. Depending on the size of the unit, having an additional A/C unit can do wonders to help keep the air cool without much hassle.
Todd Henson, who spends most of his time camping in the heat of Texas summers, says, “We are upgrading to a second A/C [unit] and 50 Amp service. Far less costly to add a second A/C and beat the heat with brute force than to overpay for the latest space aged insulating material that is long on promises and short on delivery.” Although insulation is a main component when it comes to temperature control, ripping apart an RV is not cost efficient by any means if only traveling through warmer climates for a few days. Having a second unit installed will keep cool air flowing without bringing hot air in from the outside like open windows would.
Some RVs and trailers might not have the capability to take on the amperage of another air conditioner, so many have gotten creative to keep out the rays. Tinted windows and reflective insulation are great ways to line your windows ensuring the UV rays stay out and your cold air stays in. Products like Reflectix and DIY window films are cheap and efficient ways to prepare for a short trip through the desert or to the beach. Others have bought evaporative coolers and fans to keep the air flow steady during the hotter times of day. All of the above products can be found at a local RV dealer or home improvement store.
Outer window shades are also helpful and keep the sun off your windows entirely without as much preparation as window tinting or insulation. More expensive add-ons include awnings that sprawl the length of the RV to keep one side or both sides out of the sunlight.
Ventilating as much as possible when cooking or showering is a must when traveling through warmer climates. Forgetting to do so will up the heat and humidity within the RV and turn a warm day into a sticky, sweaty mess. If an RV comes with an outdoor shower, the summer months are the perfect time to use it to avoid humidity problems inside the unit.
Keeping an RV cool isn’t just about the internal gadgets and wears. “I change into shorts and sleeveless tops and sandals. Even though no one should have to see a 71 year-old wearing that outfit, [I do this] so I don’t overheat when unhitching or hitching my trailer,” says avid Airstreamer, Patricia Zweig-Franson. Packing light and wearing breathable clothing also helps when an RV seems to be overflowing with hot air. Finding room for an extra pair of shorts and a t-shirt will help with unexpected temperature changes as you drive along the road.
At the end of the day, an RV is not as well insulated as a home. Without proper preparation, RVers should be prepared for heat inside their motorhomes in warmer climates. Avoiding high heat will be an unprepared traveler’s best bet to enjoying the most out of their trip. Visiting the hot, humid areas should be on the Fall, Winter, or Spring trip list instead of the Summer.
Spring is the perfect time to prepare a motorhome for the hotter months ahead. As RVers dewinterize their units, adding a few tasks to the list can make all the difference when it comes to temperature control on the road. With a few simple habits and projects done beforehand, travelers can experience the world’s most beautiful places without breaking a sweat.