The Latest News from Camping World: Keeping Cool

The Latest News from Camping World

Technically Speaking

Keeping Cool
By Mark J. Polk

Summer is fast approaching 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 that is sitting in the direct sunlight on a hot summer day you know what I mean. Fortunately there are some things we can do to make our summer RV camping trips more pleasurable.....

Strategically park 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 air conditioner will work much more efficiently.

You can also improve your air conditioner's efficiency by keeping the 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 on hand in the event the old filters have seen better days.

Use your main 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.
Aside from these simple suggestions for keeping your RV cool there are RV products designed specifically to do the same thing. One key ingredient to keeping your RV cool is proper ventilation. Proper ventilation helps prevent excess heat from building up in your RV.

MaxxAir Vent Corporation offers a complete line of ventilation products designed just for your RV. I personally think every RV should have MaxxAir roof vent covers. They are inexpensive, easy to install and they let the fresh air in, even when it's raining, while the stale, musty air, smoke, cooking odors and heat escapes. I use a vent cover on each end of our RV to promote cross ventilation.

If you really want to bring the fresh air in and move the hot air out the new MaxxFan is for you. It's the only complete RV ventilation system that incorporates a vent, fan and rain protection all in one unit. Once you try it you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.

Of course modern-day RVs offer all the comforts of home, including air conditioning in most cases. If your RV is equipped with an air conditioner and you're camping where you have access to electricity you can enjoy all of the benefits an air conditioner has to offer on a hot summer day.

If your RV came without an air conditioner and you're thinking about installing one, now would be the time to do it. All Coleman and Duo-Therm air conditioners are on sale right now at Camping World. Roof mounted air conditioners are designed to fit standard 14" X 14" roof openings, and many RVs are pre-wired for air conditioners. If you own a pop up and you are considering adding a roof-mounted air conditioner, make sure the roof is reinforced and designed to support the additional weight of the air conditioner. If you don't want to tackle the job by yourself visit a Camping World near you and let the pros install it for you.

Coleman air conditioners are available in models ranging from 8300 BTUs that only draw 8 amps of power, to larger 13,500 BTU units that also boast using 30% less power than similarly-sized models.

Duo-Therm air conditioners offer energy efficient models ranging from 7,100 BTUs to 15,000 BTUs. Now you can use less power, cool more air, and still have amps to spare for other appliances.

Don't settle for those long, hot dog days of summer. With a common sense approach to summer camping, proper ventilation and the added comfort of air conditioning, you can enjoy your RV all summer long.

Happy Camping!
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Mark J. Polk owns RV Education 101, a North Carolina-based company that produces professional training videos, DVDs and e-books on how to use and maintain your RV. Mark also hosts the RV Savvy segments for RVTV which airs on the Outdoor Channel.
Mark's DVDs are available at Camping World.