Summer — school’s out, and family adventures in your RV are well underway! But, whether you’re sunbathing on the sunny shores of the Florida Keys or indulging your curiosity for history exploring Arizona’s ghost towns, extreme temperatures can affect your camping experience.

Be prepared for the warmer weather you might face while out in your Cruise America RV rental. Read our tips for keeping your RV cool in the summer so you can spend more time playing card games and less time fiddling with the RV air conditioner.

Tips for Keeping Cool This Summer

Choose Your Destination Wisely 

You don’t have to worry about cranking the RV air conditioner if the environment is naturally cool. Stay out of the heat by setting your sights north or traveling to locations with higher elevations. States in the northern regions tend to have milder summers and many boast bucket list-worthy camping excursions. Watch out for those states that are consistently on top of the hottest summer destinations list and avoid going, at least during this season. 

If you are set on traveling to one of the warmer states for your summer trip, look for a location that's on a higher elevation. Even in the middle of an Arizona summer, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon can be up to 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix — not to mention it has amazing views.

 

Be Prepared

There are many precautionary steps that you can take that don’t warrant a cool RV. No matter where you travel this summer, bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and the appropriate accessories like hats and sunglasses. 

Dehydration can sneak up on you while you're busy having fun, so be diligent and proactive with your water consumption. Also, keep an extra eye on children and elderly travel companions as they can be more susceptible to heatstroke. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours and use a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of 30 or higher. 

Seek Shade 

Keep the RV cool without AC, and let nature work in your favor. Keeping your RV cool in summer means taking the extra steps to avoid direct exposure to the sun, like parking in shaded areas. It's also a good idea to keep the shades or curtains closed during the day to keep the heat out. You can even bring a tarp to get extra shade for your campsite. If you have a refrigerator on board, covering your RV with a tarp on the area where your fridge is located helps to keep heat from rising in your space. 

On the subject of refrigerators, be sure not to pack yours too full with drinks and snacks. Leave some room between items so the cool air can freely and efficiently circulate throughout the unit. Another tip to cool an RV is bringing a well-packed ice chest so you have enough ice on the road.

 

Spare The Air 

Cruise America RV rentals come standard with AC units, but don't expect the type of cooling power you have from your AC at home. Maximize the efficiency of your RV air conditioner by naturally keeping your RV as cool as possible. You can even enjoy a cool RV without AC by opening the windows and doors during the evening and early morning hours when the temperatures are lower. This will allow air to freely circulate around the RV. 

Leave the lights and electronic devices turned off when not in use. Also, avoid using the stove by cooking outdoors or preparing camping-friendly meals that can be served cold. With a little preparation before you hit the road, your trip can be filled with refreshing summer dishes that won't heat up your RV. 

Maintenance Tips for a Cool RV

When you rent an RV from Cruise America, we'll make sure your vehicle is road-ready when you pick it up. However, if you plan on a long-term rental or will be traveling long distances, expect to handle some maintenance work along the way. 

Here are some of the important parts to maintain to keep your RV cool during summer heatwaves.
 

• Keep fuel levels above 1/4 of the tank at all times. Remember that both the generator and vehicle pull from the same gas tank. 
• Check tire pressure, engine oil, fluids, and coolant levels each time you refuel. If your trip is long, be sure to get the oil changed on schedule. Cruise America has a 24-hour travelers’ assistance line that can help direct you to the nearest service provider should you encounter any issues on the road.
• Heat can take a toll on your batteries. When connecting at a campsite, pay attention to the battery levels and run the generator to keep the engine from being idle for too long.
• Keep the RV air conditioner's filters clean to maximize your unit's efficiency and ensure a cool RV throughout your trip. Rinse filters in soapy water or gently clean with a small vacuum cleaner. 

Keep Your Summers Cool With an RV Rental from Cruise America

Summer road trips are a great way to bond with family and friends, but the extremely hot temperatures can also easily ruin the experience. Keep your RV cool by applying the tips we shared here. For more tips and resources on how to cool an RV and planning an epic summer road trip, download the Cruise America app on Google Play or the App Store. 

No matter where you travel this summer, a state-of-the-art Cruise America RV lets you bring all the modern conveniences of home to the road. Contact the Cruise America branch nearest to you now.