Camping in Texas during the summer? Then you already know—keeping your RV cool in extreme heat is no joke. When temps hit triple digits and the sun is relentless, your RV can feel more like an oven than a home on wheels. During our first summer of RV camping, we went to the beach six weekends out of eight. Oh my, it was hot! I dreaded sleeping Friday night because it was miserably hot.
If you are a weekend warrior like us, you don’t have time to fight the heat. So, if you’re trying to figure out how to keep your RV cool in Texas heat (or anywhere hot), here’s what we do.
1. Park Smart to Keep Your RV Cool
We’ve learned this one the hard way: once the inside of your RV heats up, it takes a long time to cool back down. That’s why we always try to start with a cool RV and stay ahead of the heat.
Here’s what we do:
- We turn on the AC while we are packing/loading up—even if it doesn’t feel that hot yet. Once things heat up, it’s much harder for your RV air conditioner to play catch-up.
- We run our generator while driving to keep the inside cool.
- IF it is possible, try to park with the big windows facing north or toward any shade—trees, awnings, even a neighboring camper’s rig. There have been a few trips where we pulled in instead of backing in because it kept the afternoon sun off the back half of the RV.
- If shade isn’t an option (hello, Texas state parks!), we break out our reflective windshield covers and throw the awning out as soon as we park. Little choices make a big difference when it comes to keeping your RV cool. Even adjusting how you park can take the edge off inside.
2. Boost Airflow
We love our rooftop AC unit, but sometimes it needs a little help. That’s where good old-fashioned airflow comes in.
Here’s our go-to routine:
- We use our vent fans to pull hot air up and out of the room. We installed a Maxx Air Vent cover, allowing our vent to stay open whenever we want, regardless of the weather.
- After setting up, I open all the cabinet and closet doors for a bit. You’d be shocked how much heat hides in those small spaces during travel.
- At night, we turn on fans to circulate the air. Yes, it isn’t quiet, but it does help.
All of this helps reduce the heat load, enabling the RV to cool faster and more efficiently.
3. Insulate Your RV Against Summer Heat
Insulating your RV isn’t just for winter; summer prep is just as important. A few minor additions can keep out a surprising amount of heat.
We’ve focused on:
- Checking the weather-stripping around the door, slide-outs, and storage compartments often. Replace it when it looks worn.
- Using foam vent pillows in skylights and roof vents -cut from craft store foam-help block out intense sunlight.
- Two summers ago, I purchased a large tension shower rod and long insulated curtains. After we are set up, one of the last things I do is put the curtains on the shower rod and adjust the rod so that it stretches across the RV behind the driver’s and passenger seats, as close to the ceiling as I can reach. Keeping the curtains closed helps add another layer of protection from the heat (not to mention it makes a hidden storage area).
If your rig is older like ours, a few changes make a huge difference in how long it stays cool inside.
4. Keep the RV A/C Filters Clean
Want to know the fastest way to ruin your weekend in the Texas heat? The A/C is not working efficiently.
- We clean the return air filter before each trip. Just a rinse with soap and warm water does the trick—let it dry thoroughly before reinstalling. Sometimes I do this when I am cleaning the RV after a trip.
- Create an air conditioning (A/C) maintenance schedule and stick to it consistently.
5. Don’t Create Heat Inside
This one didn’t take us long to figure out because it was instantly obvious: the RV heats up quickly when we spend too much time inside.
Here’s how we’ve adjusted:
- We try not to cook inside during the hottest part of the day. Grilling outside or prepping cold meals helps a ton. Even an electric skillet will add heat inside.
- We keep heat-generating items off during the afternoon unless absolutely necessary.
- Keep the door closed as much as possible. Each time it opens, we let cold air out and hot air in.
Making a few minor changes in your daily routine can go a long way toward keeping your RV cool.
Final Thoughts
Camping in Texas summer heat doesn’t have to feel like survival mode. With a bit of planning, a few upgrades, and some common-sense habits, you can keep your RV cool, even when it’s 103°F and you feel like you are camping on the surface of the sun.
Treat hot-weather prep like you would cold-weather prep: seal it up, manage airflow, and clean your systems. Your AC will run more efficiently, your rig will feel more comfortable, and you’ll spend more time enjoying the trip instead of sweating in front of a fan.
However, adding another air conditioning unit is always an option. We were once told by an RV parts store that all RVs sold in Texas should be equipped with two air conditioning units to combat the Texas heat-we agree!
Stay cool out there—literally.
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