Summer will be here soon and for RVers that not only means prime travel season is upon us, but so is the heat. If you ever walked inside an RV sitting in the direct sunlight, on a hot summer day, you know what I mean. Fortunately there are some simple things we can do to make our summer RV camping trips more pleasurable.•Strategically parking your RV to take advantage of any shade that is available, especially on the side where the refrigerator vent is located. Don’t be afraid to ask for a shady site when you check in at the campground. This will not only help cool the RV down, but your refrigerator and roof A/C will work much more efficiently.
•You can improve your air conditioners efficiency by keeping the A/C filters clean. In most cases you can wash the filters in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry before reinstalling. Another option is to clean the filters with a small hand held vacuum cleaner. I recommend you keep a new set of filters on hand in the event the old filters have seen better days.
•Use your patio awning and any window awnings to assist in cooling the RV down. In addition to the awnings use your window blinds or drapes to help keep the sun out and the cooler air in.
•Campground voltage can fluctuate, especially during the summer months when campers are placing a higher demand on campground electricity. You should monitor the voltage coming in to your RV with a digital voltmeter. If voltage drops below 105-volts or goes above 130-volts turn your appliances and electronic equipment off until proper voltage is restored.
I'm wondering if this passive cooling idea would work?
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It's based on an idea that Egyptians supposedly tried to use for solar cooling, and is in effect trying to be a solar chimney.
I have a 27' trailer that stays in AZ year-round. When I leave for WA in April, I put windshield-type quilted foil sunblocks in all the windows. I leave the bedroom ones in all year, keeps it nice and dark in there and I don't have any view from the bedroom anyhow.
ReplyDeleteOn hot days a tremendous amount of heat comes in thru the windshield and door on our pusher motorhome, even with our solar mesh and front drape. My wife found a product in one of those "womens" catalogs that constantly arrive by mail that works amazingly well to keep the heat out. It is an ultra thin foil solar curtain that she safety pinned to the back of the drape so it is between the window and the drape. It is glossy on one side and even more glossy on the other and comes in a couple of different heights. Whats really nice is its very flexible, foldable and tough, not like a regular piece of aluminum foil, and its really cheap. I think she paid less than $10 for enough to do the job. It wont work for day/night shades, etc where we use the regular foil covers everyone uses, but is great for what in our MH is the biggest entry way for heat. I dont know what is called or who makes it but watch those catalogs and you will eventually find it. One other hint: the thick foam vent covers help reduce heat coming in from the ceiling but the ones with foil on one side keep the heat out much better than ones with the wool like material on both sides.
ReplyDeleteI bought and installed a product called "Mobile Roof Coat" it is for rv's and mobile homes it is rubbery and moves with your vehicle,it's supposed to reflect 82% of the sun's rays ,so far it seems to work very well,it also seals and waterproofs.
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