Spending time in an RV during the warmer months can be a great way to explore, relax, and enjoy the outdoors—but keeping your RV cool can be a real challenge when the sun is beating down. If you’ve ever stepped into your rig after it’s been baking all day, you know just how fast it can turn into a sauna. Thankfully, there are several simple and effective ways to keep your RV cool without burning through all your power or your patience.
Keep Your RV Cool with Shade
The easiest and most effective way to keep your RV cool is to park it in the shade. Trees are your best friend in the summer. Look for a site that gets morning sun but is shaded in the afternoon when the temperatures peak. Even partial shade can help bring the inside temp down by several degrees. If natural shade isn’t an option, use your awning to create some on the sunny side of your RV. Some folks also use shade cloths or tarps to prevent the sun from hitting big windows or roofs.
Keep Windows Covered
Big windows are great for views, but they also let in a lot of heat. Covering them is one of the easiest ways to prevent the sun from turning your RV into an oven. Reflective window covers or insulated shades make a big difference. If you don’t have those, even closing blinds or curtains can help. The goal is to block as much direct sunlight as you can. If you’re parked long-term, you might consider adding temporary panels outside the windows to keep the heat out before it gets in.
Ventilation Is Key
Airflow is your next line of defense. When it cools off in the evening or early morning, open the windows and roof vents to let fresh air circulate. Roof vent fans work especially well if you set them to pull hot air up and out. Create a steady flow to push the warm air out and bring cooler air in. Just close everything up again before the heat of the day returns, so you’re not pulling in hot air instead.
Use Fans Strategically to Keep Your RV Cool
Fans don’t cool the air, but they move it around—which makes a big difference in how comfortable your RV feels. A few well-placed fans can push hot air out and pull cooler air in. Set one near a window to exhaust air out and another on the shady side to pull cooler air in. Swivel or oscillating fans help move air across the room, so no corner feels stagnant. If you have ceiling fans, make sure they’re set to spin in the right direction (usually counterclockwise in the summer).
Close It Up During Peak Heat
When it’s hot outside, close doors and windows and block off areas you’re not using. Think of it like zoning off parts of your RV. You’ll have better results if you can isolate your living space and focus on cooling just that area. Shut bedroom doors if you’re not using them during the day, and avoid opening the door too often to keep the cooler air in.
Use the AC Wisely to Keep Your RV Cool
If your RV has an air conditioner, don’t just crank it and hope for the best. Start by cooling the RV in the early morning or late evening when the outside temperature drops. Keep the AC filter clean and make sure all vents are open and unobstructed. Use fans to help circulate the cold air more efficiently. Also, don’t try to cool the entire RV if you only need one room. Close off vents in unused areas to help your system work more efficiently.
FAQs
How hot can it get inside an RV in the summer?
On a sunny day, the temperature inside an RV can climb 20–30 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Without cooling strategies, it can easily exceed 100°F inside.
Do reflective window covers really work?
Yes. Reflective covers help bounce sunlight away before it enters the RV, keeping it cooler inside. They’re especially effective on large windshield areas or south-facing windows.
Can I run my AC all day?
You can, but it’s not always efficient or cost-effective—especially if you’re boondocking or limited on power. To stretch AC’s cooling power further, pair it with shading, ventilation, and smart fan placement.
Are there any long-term upgrades to help keep an RV cooler?
Upgrades like better insulation, tinted windows, or rooftop vent covers can all help reduce heat gain. If you travel in hot climates often, these changes are worth considering.
Is it better to leave windows open or closed during the day?
Closed is usually better during the hottest part of the day. Open them in the evening and early morning when it’s cooler outside, then shut them once the temperature rises.
Tennga RV Consulting offers professional RV inspections and services in North Georgia and Southeastern Tennessee. Contact us to schedule an appointment.