Summertime RV trips can be a lot of fun, but that ends if you end up sleeping in or spending a rainy day inside a hot, stuffy camper. Running the air conditioner may seem to be the obvious solution, however you’ll want to maximize the amount of shade you can get as well. That will help keep your RV cooler on the inside while also putting less strain on your A/C unit. The side awning can provide some shade, but that may not be sufficient depending on the direction of the sunlight. Here are some ways that you can keep temperatures down inside your RV.

How to Use the Available Shade to Your Advantage

Staying as shaded as possible not only makes it cooler inside, but also keeps things more comfortable for everyone outside. A lot of heat can enter through the RV’s roof, so if you can, try to park your RV in a shaded place. Try to also position it so it stays shaded during the afternoon hours. Keep your side awning extended as long as it’s dry and not too windy. Keep windows covered during the day to prevent the sun from shining through them. This also includes the windows on your entry door. Try to position the windshield so it won’t be facing the sun during the afternoon and use pull down shades to keep it covered. Don’t forget the skylights! If you have a window over your shower, keep it covered when the shower is not in use. If the side awning isn’t enough to block the sun, there are awning extenders and side shades that can be attached to your awning. You can also take advantage of full screen rooms that attach to your RV awning to provide shade and privacy.

Using your RV Air Conditioner

Of course, there will be plenty of times when shade isn’t enough and using your RV air conditioner is necessary. Therefore, it’s important to keep your A/C unit properly maintained to make sure it’s working efficiently and will come on when you need it. You can also be smart about how you use your air conditioner as well. Keep it going in the morning when temperatures are cooler to keep it from overworking in the afternoon. Also, avoid going in and out of your RV too much in the afternoon to keep the cooler air in for as long as possible. Reduce the amount of space the AC needs to cool. Close any doors to rooms that aren’t in use much during the day, like bathrooms or bedrooms. Keep doors to cabinets and closets closed as well. Close vents and windows while the air conditioner is running.

Besides air conditioners and shade, there are several other ways you can lower the temperature inside. When the A/C isn’t needed, having proper ventilation can make a world of difference inside your RV. Take advantage of the breeze by having windows and vents open. You can have them open at night when the air is cooler, and close them in the morning to run the A/C. Fans will help keep the air circulating inside as well. If you have portable fans, you can use one to draw cool air in and another to push warmer air out. You can even create a makeshift A/C by setting up a fan to move air over a source of water or ice. Humidity can make things feel stifling even if it isn’t hot. A dehumidifier can help dry out the inside air and make it feel less stuffy. If you have a 5th wheel, you can use skirting to reduce the amount of heat that comes up from underneath. Prevent heat from building up inside by doing small things such as cooking outside, switching to LED lights, and turning off electronics. Avoid visiting warmer climates in the summer if you can, and focus on visiting cooler areas or places with higher elevation.