How to Keep Your Cool During Summer RV Trips

While we love RV camping at all times of the year, extreme temperatures can greatly affect your overall camping experience. Be prepared for the warmer weather you may face while out in your Cruise America RV rental by reading a few of our hot tips for summer travel. 

Choose Your Destination Wisely 

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 mild summers and many boast bucket-list worthy camping excursions. USA Today complied a list of the top ten cities with the coolest and hottest summers. Consider avoiding those on the hot list. 
If you are set on staying in one of the warmer states for your summer travel, look for a location with 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 they have amazing views). 
 

Be Prepared

No matter where you travel this summer, bring plenty of water, sunscreen and appropriate clothing including 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 the heat. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours and use a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of 30 or higher. 

We can hear you saying, “yes, mom!” so we’ll move on now. But do yourself a favor and actually drink the water and reapply the sunscreen to keep the side effects of heat at bay.
 

Seek Shade 

Let nature work in your favor. When you can, position your RV in a shaded area of your campground. It’s also a good idea to keep the shades/curtains closed during the day to keep out the heat. Bring a tarp to had extra shade to your campsite and specifically help shade the refrigerator side of your campervan. 

Speaking of the refrigerator, don’t pack it too full. Leave room between items so the cool air can freely and efficiently circulate throughout the unit. Bring a well-packed ice chest so you aren’t relying solely on the built-in refrigerator. 
 

Spare The Air 

Cruise America RV rentals come standard with AC units, but don’t expect the type of cooling power you have in your air conditioner at your home. Maximize the efficiency by naturally keeping the vehicle as cool as possible. Open windows and doors during evening and morning hours when the temps are lower to allow air to circulate thought the RV. Leave lights and electronics off when not in use and avoid using the stove by cooking outdoors or preparing meals that can be served cold. 

With a little prep before you hit the road, your trip can be filled with refreshing summer dishes that won’t heat up the RV. Here are a few “cool” recipes from Real Simple to get you started – our favorite is the open-faced tuna and fennel sandwich. 

Maintenance

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, you may need to handle some maintenance along the way. The below items are especially important to maintain during summer heat waves:  
 

• Keep fuel levels above 1/4 tank at all times – remember 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 enough, be sure to get the oil changed on schedule. Cruise America’s 24-hour travelers assistance line can help direct you to the nearest service provider.

• Heat can take a toll on batteries. When connecting at a campsite, pay attention to battery levels and run the generator to keep the engine from being idle too long.
• Keep the AC filters clean to maximize your unit’s efficiency. Rinse filters in soapy water or gently clean with a small vacuum. 

Download our app on the App Store or Google Play for more tips and resources that will help ensure you have a great experience in your Cruise America RV. No matter where you travel this summer vacation, be sure to be bring plenty of supplies and a spirit of adventure.