Tips on keeping the inside of the RV cooler during roadtrip

ador · 06-20-2021, 07:07 PM

We are preparing to leave this Saturday for 21 day road trip. We live in Las Vegas. It is now 115 degree outside. Im parked right now at a Costco parking lot. Fully gassed, wife buying some food.

It is 105 degrees inside the RV. Cabin AC full blast. Generator running, running the living room AC. We have a 2020 Thor ACE 33.1. It will be the first time we will be using the RV on a summertime. We used to have a 32 ft Class C. Smaller area to cool down. But this Class A have a much bigger area to cool down.

Any tips? We are travelling with 3 people and 2 dogs. I know we cant make the cabin cold. But NOT at over 100 degrees.

TripleGGG · 06-20-2021, 07:17 PM

Start early before interior gets hot. Keep all windows covered. Run ALL ACs. Sounds like your are only running one rooftop AC. If you have two run them both. Those type of temps are a challenge. Usually about 20 degrees below ambient is the best you can hope for.

When it's hot I never turn my ACs off.

ador · 06-20-2021, 07:26 PM

Thanks TripleGGG. Im about ready to pass out in here. I cover all windows in our parking at home with reflective material from Home Depot. Then covered it again with window covers from an RV cover company. It deflects the heat. But the heat from the roof makes the inside hot.

Is it OK to run both roof ACs on there roof at the SAME TIME with the generator? No overheating potential issue? Our previous Class C only had one roof AC.

Scubawise · 06-20-2021, 07:39 PM

Both ac should work ..our brother runs both on generator..make sure you stay 1/2 tank or more...my brother's generator shuts off near 1/2 tank..also as someone said cool early AND NEVER TURN OFF

Bob Denman · 06-20-2021, 07:47 PM

Run your generator, run every a/c you have, and stay hydrated!

TripleGGG · 06-20-2021, 07:55 PM

Generator will run both. If you start using electric water heater, microwave and throw in a hair dryer all at the same time you will probably trip a breaker. Trial and error with loads your generator can handle.

Our generator will run down to 1/4 tank. When I know I'm going to be using generator a lot I fill up at 1/2 tank or as soon as I can.

TripleGGG · 06-20-2021, 07:57 PM

I know many who put the reflective material inside the cabinets against the exterior wall. I've never done that so I have no idea if it will help.

Pete'sMH · 06-20-2021, 08:02 PM

When you stop for the night leave your slides in until the outside temps begin to drop. Less volume of space to cool down and less surface area exposed to the sun heating things up.

Bob Denman · 06-20-2021, 08:07 PM

Yup! Minimize the surface that the Sun can grab onto. We keep everything tucked-in, and simply sleep in the recliners...

ador · 06-20-2021, 08:08 PM

I will be driving for 4 days before our first 3day CampGound stop in Dayton, OH. The first night on the road, we booked at a KOA CG. That will help us cool down for the night. The following 3 days, it will be a bit cooler on the road. Might even go through some rain. Thanks for the advise Pete. I told my wife I don't want to pull the slides out for the same reason, and a fear of slide out mechanism breaking down.

It is the HEAT the worries me. Especially with the 2 dogs.

ador · 06-20-2021, 08:13 PM

Follow-up question on running the generator while on the raod. Should I adjust the setting as the Elevation goes higher?

We will be going through Colorado Springs and Denver in Colorado.

Merrykalia · 06-20-2021, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ador

I will be driving for 4 days before our first 3day CampGound stop in Dayton, OH. The first night on the road, we booked at a KOA CG. That will help us cool down for the night. The following 3 days, it will be a bit cooler on the road. Might even go through some rain. Thanks for the advise Pete. I told my wife I don't want to pull the slides out for the same reason, and a fear of slide out mechanism breaking down.

It is the HEAT the worries me. Especially with the 2 dogs.

You heading to Camp Cedar outside of Dayton?

Bob Denman · 06-20-2021, 08:42 PM

Keep the dogs hydrated, and they'll be okay...

blw2 · 06-20-2021, 09:12 PM

I'd put those fleece pillows in any roof vents...
and put reflectix in all the windows between the shades and the glass
park in the shade as much as possible
and set the thermostat as low as you can stand it in the morning...make it a fridge inside while the AC can do it..... then as it heats through the day to the point the AC can't keep up, then you've got a head start.

Bob Denman · 06-20-2021, 09:52 PM

Good tactics!

ador · 06-20-2021, 09:57 PM

Thank you for the tips folks. We will try and leave Vegas this Saturday around 5AM. Temp forecast is at 88 already at that time. I will turn on both house AC units as early as possible, as well as the cabin AC. I just dont want to wake up the neighbors too early when I start the generator.

How about my question on the Generator adjustment as you drive through higher elevation? Do you adjust the Generator setting?

Scubawise · 06-20-2021, 10:04 PM

We give the dogs a bowl of ice and cools them and hydrates

Also at 7am start generator and cool

We have lived in the area

Bob Denman · 06-20-2021, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ador

How about my question on the Generator adjustment as you drive through higher elevation? Do you adjust the Generator setting?

If the generator starts: there's no real need to adjust it.
At the worst: it'll just be running rich.

Chateau_Nomad · 06-20-2021, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

If the generator starts: there's no real need to adjust it.
At the worst: it'll just be running rich.

I tried running rich... but my pockets and wallet are STILL empty!!

Bob Denman · 06-20-2021, 10:41 PM

Mine too!

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