Keeping Cool in the Summer

Thomas Aaron · 07-21-2016, 09:15 AM

2014 266-KIRB

I've taken my travel trailer back and forth across the country, and I've stayed at KOA's, Good Sam campgrounds, Cracker Barrel parking lots, Flying J's, Camping World parking lots, etc.

I feel myself being drawn more and more towards boondocking.

While I do have a generator to run the AC in a pinch, it doesn't really make sense for mulit-day boondocking trips into national forests, etc.

Other than parking in the shade, running exhaust fans and opening windows, I'm wondering if anyone has any cool tricks for keeping my RV from being sweltering hot in 90-degree weather?

It seems like a dumb question to me, but I just absolutely cannot relax or sleep in hot temps.

I feel like I've thought of most of the common sense stuff, but I'm wondering if I'm missing some tricks of the trade.

Thank you.

Michigantraveler · 07-21-2016, 03:15 PM

There is s woman who does RV videos who lives full time in a class A in Florida I believe. She covered her entire roof with that reflective silver bubble wrap stuff. But I am not sure if it would be worth it unless you were camping for more than a short time though. But using it on the Windows could help.

profdant139 · 07-21-2016, 04:54 PM

It would be cool if someone could invent a huge umbrella that would shade the whole trailer. It could be tricky to deploy, though . . . .

Michigantraveler · 07-21-2016, 05:59 PM

Yes, and maybe hard to store. Like all of that silver bubble wrap!

Michigantraveler · 07-21-2016, 06:03 PM

http://youtu.be/zkIvvH1Lkr8

profdant139 · 07-21-2016, 09:42 PM

Michigan, that is a Pippi Peterson video -- she has a great blog and posts a lot of entertaining and informative videos. The pace can be kind of slow, but she has an engaging way of presenting the info -- it is more like watching TV than watching the typical "how to" video. Google Pippi Peterson (or enter that term on youtube) and you will see what I mean.

Michigantraveler · 07-21-2016, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profdant139

Michigan, that is a Pippi Peterson video -- she has a great blog and posts a lot of entertaining and informative videos. The pace can be kind of slow, but she has an engaging way of presenting the info -- it is more like watching TV than watching the typical "how to" video. Google Pippi Peterson (or enter that term on youtube) and you will see what I mean.

Yes she is enjoyable to watch. We have off and on.There are some good rv bloggers and some that miss the mark.

**LJAZ** · 07-22-2016, 07:58 AM

Unfortunately, there's not really much you can do besides a generator to run AC without access to hookups.
Here in AZ in the summer we occasionally have nights where it doesn't drop below 100 all night. And shade is not easy to come by. At least not the type of shade most of you are accustomed to. My solution was to get a Honda 3000 generator that will run the AC for 9+ hours on a tank of gas and is pretty quiet. A tank of gas is 3.5 gallons so if I fill the tank and bring two 5 gal cans I can easily last 4 days

Thomas Aaron · 08-12-2016, 07:40 PM

Thanks for the ideas, guys.

runner421 · 08-14-2016, 10:42 AM

Cheapest thing I ever saw on a youtube video was an old styrofoam cooler filled with ice or cold water - a hole in one end with a simple 12-volt fan blowing air in. Two exhaust "vents" created by red solo cups provide the cool air flow out.
I guess it mimics a swamp cooler others were talking about on another thread.

FFX160_CT · 08-15-2016, 03:45 AM

I was just looking at these builds this weekend as I baked in 104 temps at a state campground! I had to leave. Whoever invents a viable portable mini AC will become a billionaire!