How to Keep Cool in Your RV in the Heat – 8 Tips

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Guest post by Sam

Summer is a beautiful, exciting time of the year, yet lately the intense heats leave one needing to cool down, but that’s easier said than done, especially in a RV where heat refuses to leave even when you’ve politely stated several times it’s over stayed it’s welcome. Here’s some ideas to help you wrestle the beast into submission and stop yourself melting, with the increasing intensity of summers, never a better time to invest in equipping yourself to fight this troublesome foe.

Read also how to make…
Your RV Smell Good (And Get Rid of Any Bad Smells)
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I – Park in the Shade

It’s a simple trick, so I’ve put it first, keep your eyes out for patches of shade, they are oases in the blistering sun that may beat down and heat up your metal house. Check which way the sun is and plan your van angle accordingly to avoid waking up being blinded by the rays.

Unfortunately the shade might be on some unlevel ground, but don’t fret, they are plenty of camper levelers available that’ll save you time and effort when parking so you don’t have to sacrifice any space or shade.

Get these handy tri-levelers here.

II – Window Tints & Covers

All those pesky rays getting through your windows so you’re relating to pompeians on 74 AD except they were drama queens because they’ve never felt the suffocating sensation of RV Heat. You can get yourself some tints or covers for each window that help block or reflect rays to reduce it and help keep your RV at a cool temperature especially if you can’t find any shade to park in.

For the front of your RV, to prevent your cockpit melting and inevitably warming up the rest of the camper you can pick up some thermal blinds that stretch out inside.

III – Keep Doors and Windows Open

Another pretty basic option – just open everything up and ventilate as much as possible. However, during the night, especially if you’re in Finland, the mosquitoes will be out in full force.

That’s why it’s wise to invest in a few mosquitoes nets that help protect against the bloodsuckers.

However, they haven’t made a net to keep out robbers yet! If you’re not with the van, keep everything shut for safety, and in terms of storing your valuables check out this article here.

IV – Keep Doors Open During Cooking or Cook Outside

I’m always forgetting this and I’ll keep the doors shut then wonder why I’ve created my own personal sauna inside. Anything creating steam as well will soon get unbearably hot. Just a quick reminder to keep door open.

Another tactic is to take advantage of the summer and get yourself a cheap grill that you can store in your RV. That way you can enjoy summer eating in the heat and relax in as cool as possible RV afterwards.

V – RV Shader Extenders

Most RVs have these already installed but create your own personal shade from the RV itself! They’re very handy and can easily help keep you out the intense rays and keep you and the RV cool as it’ll provide some resistance against the sun beating down with your windows covered in shade by this.

These little mini canopies really accompany the aforementioned grill cooking so you can eat and drink safely in the shade.

VI – Portable Fan / Battery Fan

From the tiny hand-held fans to the bigger solar panel powered behemoths, a fan is the easiest way to help cool your RV and yourself down. Help keep the air flowing around the van and in conjunction with doors and windows open you’ll hopefully be able to lower your temperature from dying to uncomfortable melting at least!

VII – Having the Right Bedsheets

A slightly more expensive investment, but these can last a very long time and keep you cool. Material such as bamboo or linen is much more breathable and can help regulate your body temperature. With those warm sticky summer nights I think this is ideal and it’ll certainly make you feel cooler which is the whole aim of cooling down the RV.

For those who really suffer from night sweats and generally struggle with cooling down on even a mild night, cooling sheets are becoming more and more popular and are designed to dry faster and allow more air flow so you don’t wake up in a lagoon.

One more advantage, this tip allows you quite a great deal of customization and color choice.

VIII – Park by a Lake or a Sea

Okay so it’s not quite a proper tip as this won’t cool your RV down, but if you find a swimmable lake and keep yourself nearby. Any time it gets too hot or sticky, you can jump in and have yourself a relaxing swim to cool down. Plus if your RV is cooling in the shade with all the other suggestions then this is the perfect activity to keep cool and relax in the more oppressive summer days.

Read also how to make…
Your RV Smell Good (And Get Rid of Any Bad Smells)
Your RV Feel Bigger
Money on the Road

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