Your RV can be hell during the hot summers if it is not properly equipped or designed to keep the interior atmosphere cool. In general, most four seasons or all seasons RVs can maintain a cool temperature during the summer heat. However, there are specific RVs that are known for being exceptionally good for the hot weather. Your RV must maintain a cool temperature during the summer because heat exhaustion and heat strokes can be fatal. Thus, you need an RV that is good for the hot summer, whether stationary or moving!
What Are The Best RVs For Hot Weather? Jayco Redhawk, Jayco Hummingbird, Winnebago Via, Winnebago Revel, Winnebago Travator, Tiffin Wayfarer, Newmar King Aire, Cricket Trailers, Airstream Basecamp trailer, and Entegra Anthem are all perfect RVs for the hot weather.
There are a couple of reasons why the aforementioned RVs are perfect for the hot summer. These all-season RVs have a lot of things in common that make them perfect RVs even when the outside temperature is at a blistering degree. Even if your RV is not among the list, you can modify your RV to make it livable during the summer. These RV hacks can make your RV life easier and cooler!
Similar Features Of The Best RVs For Hot Weather
Summer heat can be unforgiving, especially as global warming ramps up. As heatwaves become more common nowadays, RVing during the summer may pose some health risks to you. Therefore, you could expect similar features among the best RVs for the hot weather. For instance, proper ventilation is something your RV needs to have because heatstroke can be very dangerous!
Remember that you are getting inside a metal enclosure, so always consider features that could prevent hot air from entering and stagnating inside. These features may include good insulation, ventilation, and having tinted windows. Other RVs also have shower rooms and air conditioning (AC) to make life inside the RV even more comfortable during the hot summer. The goal is not to have an RV that would bake you alive!
A Summer RV Must Be Well Ventilated
The bare minimum your RV should have is proper ventilation. Without proper ventilation during the summer heat, you will suffocate inside the RV. Proper air circulation can reduce the internal temperature of the RV. There are several ways for you to ventilate your RV; this may include: windows, air vents, AC, electric fans, etc.
Windows and air vents could actually suffice if you strategically position them. Although an AC or a cooler inside the RV would definitely make things even better. Most of the best RVs, whether Class A, B or C, have ACs already built-in by the manufacturers. But even if an RV does not have an AC installed, it could still be good for the summer heat if it has excellent ventilation.
Strategic Windows and Air Vents
An RV with strategic window positioning could provide sufficient air ventilation to make things cool inside the RV. For instance, many RVers that frequent along the Southern West Coast of the United States have shared that aligning the windows from left to right allows cool air to circulate inside. This setup prevents warm air from stagnating inside the RV, as cool air enters the RV from one side, warm air escapes through the other side.
With this window positioning, coupled with an air vent or two above the rear side of the RV, there is no way warm air could stay inside. It is not the number of windows that could decide how cool the RV would be, but rather the positioning of said windows. If you want to have a cool sleep inside your RV without the need of an AC, position your air vents just right above the bed.
Some RVs Have Interior Layouts And Floor Plans That Are Better Suited For Summer Heat
An RV with a good layout and floor plan for summer heat will surely have air vents near areas where hot air could come from. One of those areas that will produce hot air is the refrigerator area. The ref produces hot air as it cools the food and water inside. Thus, a well-placed air vent near the refrigerator could prevent the hot air from spreading inside the RV.
Aside from refrigerators, the kitchen area will also be a good source of hot air. An air vent near the burner could suffice in reducing the RV internal temperature. Even better, a window near the kitchen area could easily maintain the RV’s internal temperature, even when the kitchen is being used.
A Summer RV Should Have Proper Insulation
A good summer RV should definitely have good insulation around the RV. Insulation within the RV walls and roof is not just for winter climate, but also for the intense heat brought by the summer season. You need to remember that the goal is to prevent hot air that is coming from the outside from entering the RV. Simply put, look for an RV that would keep hot air outside and cool air inside.
There are a lot of insulating materials that an RV could have, such as fiberglass, spray foam, rigid foam, and radiant barriers. If you have an RV with less insulation, you could modify the insulation by adding the insulating material. Nevertheless, the best insulating material to use for the summer heat would be fiberglass. Fiberglass is the standard all-weather insulator because it provides an insulation rating of R-2.9 to 3.8 for a relatively low price.
Insulation Guide And Estimated Costs
Start the insulation process by adding a new layer of caulk. The caulk layer around your RV’s doors, windows, air vents, could crack or peel off as time progresses. These cracks could allow hot air from entering and increasing the temperature inside the RV. For an estimated cost of $52, you can purchase a 12-pack of silicone sealant to seal off those possible cracks and crevices.
After securing the old caulk layers of your RV, proceed to check up on the weather stripping. As time progresses, your RV’s weather stripping can wear out and deteriorate. A deteriorated weather stripping can lose its insulation properties, especially if it already has cracks, crevices, and holes! With just $22, you can purchase vinyl weatherstripping sufficient to replace the deteriorated ones.
It is time for you to insulate your RV’s walls because sometimes the RV does not have enough insulation. An 8.5” RV Fiberglass Filon Siding could cost you around $74.95, not yet including the labor costs in installing the fiberglass skin. Although Fiberglass may not be as difficult to install when compared to other insulating material, it is still highly technical and would be advisable to have a professional install it. Never mind the possibly expensive hourly rate of professionals because installing the material improperly will only make you spend even more.
Some RVs Have Tinted Windows
When deciding which RV to buy, look for the ones that have tinted windows. If you already have an RV that does not have tinted windows, have the windows tinted to help reduce the internal temperature in the RV. Tinted windows can block up to 70% solar heat due to the polyester layer present in the tint film. These tint films can reduce heat intrusion significantly!
Aside from the temperature reducing properties it has, tinted windows can provide you sun protection whenever inside the RV. During the summer, it is not just the temperature that you should be worried about. The sun’s ultraviolet rays could pose some serious health risks to you if you do not use tinted windows. When driving an RV, tinted windshields could reduce the sun’s glare, which is very important when on the road.
Estimated Costs Of Brand New Summer RVs
The price ranges of the best summer RVs are significantly affected by the brand manufacturers’ reputation. For instance, the most luxurious and expensive RV brands out there like the Newmar RVs and Marchi Mobile RVs come with a minimum of $1,000,000 US price. Of course, the luxurious RVs do not necessarily mean they are the only RVs for the summer. It just so happens that the more luxurious the RV is, the higher the possibility that it has good insulation, ventilation (AC most probably), and spacious layout.
Prices could also depend on the type of RV. For instance, the cheapest of the bunch is the trailer types, which could cost you around $10,000 to $20,000 on average. The fifth wheels could cost you around $40,000, while the motor homes may range from an affordable price of $30,000 to the luxurious ranges of more than $1,000,000. Understandably, the second hand RVs are cheaper than the brand new ones because the second hands may need new insulation, weather stripping, ventilation, and overall maintenance.
Jayco Redhawk vs Jayco Hummingbird
One of the recommended RVs for the summer heat is the Jayco Redhawk and the Jayco Hummingbird. Both are fitted with amazing insulation, durable weather stripping, sufficient ventilation, and amazing summer heat layout. The differences between the two are, however, significant. Firstly, the Hummingbird is a trailer type RV, which means it does not have a built-in air conditioning system and is relatively smaller than the motor home type Redhawk.
The average retail price of the Hummingbirds is around $15,000, which is well within the price range of most trailer type RVs. The average retail price of Redhawks is around $61,000, depending on the model of said RV. Motor homes like the Redhawks are understandably more expensive because they are generally bigger, spacious, and equipped with better features, such as built-in air conditioning systems.
Winnebago Via vs Revel
The Winnebago RVs are undoubtedly one of the best RVs out there. They are the perfect combination of relatively affordable price and luxurious features. The said RVs could cost you around $140,000. On the other hand, the Winnebago Revel comes at a much higher price at around $1180,000.
Both Winnebago RVs are of the motor home type, which means they are most likely equipped with a built-in air conditioning system. Oddly, the much expensive Winnebago Revel is categorized as a Class B RV, which means it is much smaller than the Winnebago Via. In fact, the Winnebago Via is of the largest Class of RVs, the Class A. Nevertheless, both RVs are equipped with top of the line insulation, strong air conditioning system to combat the heat, and spacious and versatile floor plans.
RV Hacks To Survive The Summer Heat
There are times when even having the perfect RV for the summer heat is not enough. As global warming keeps on becoming a real global problem in our everyday lives, summer heats are becoming hotter and hotter. Therefore, some habits need to be stopped during the summer, such as parking in open spaces with no shade. Sometimes, you also need to make some modifications to improve the internal temperature of the RV drastically.
Install AC If The RV Does Not Have One
You have to understand that not all RVs have built-in ACs. If your RV does have one, then well and good! But if your RV does not have one, you should really consider installing one because having an AC on your RV instantly solves your summer heat dilemma. If you have the financial resources, you could hire RV conversion experts’ professional services for an estimated cost of around $5,000 to $7,000.
Aside from the financial constraints, you should also consider the space that would be eaten up by the AC. In an RV, space is very important, and therefore, you should weigh your priorities such as kitchen area versus AC, or big bed versus a small one. In the summer heat, none of those comes more important than the AC.
Park In Shaded Areas
This one may sound trivial, but some RVers do forget their basics in parking. When you park your RV under the sun’s direct heat, the internal air inside gets warmer and warmer until it becomes hot and suffocating. To avoid this, always look for shaded areas like near buildings, trees, and other safe spaces where the sun does not continuously cook your RV.
Aside from the shade that trees provide, you also get a cold air breeze when you are near trees. By this positioning, you can make sure that hot air near or inside the RV does not stagnate but is rather carried off by the fresh breeze. Since Class A RVs are usually taller than most trees, you cannot benefit much from this tactic. Although, Class A RVs will also not necessarily need tree shades because they are usually fitted with some of the best AC systems and tinted windows out there.
Keep Drinking Water Hose Off The Ground
Asphalt can be super hot during the summer days because they are naturally inclined to absorb heat. By allowing your RV’s water hose to substantially touch the ground for periods of time, you are basically heating up your water supply inside. Even cement pavements can also heat up during the summer heat, so always keep in mind to avoid having water hoses from touching the ground.
When the surrounding temperature gets too hot, you are expected to cool yourself with a quick shower. However, if you have hot water instead of a cold one, a shower will not likely help your problem. Sometimes, a quick cold shower is all you need to cool yourself.
Install Window Shields
Window shields can also help prevent the sun’s heat from penetrating the RV through the windows. There are various types of window shields that you can install on your RV, such as curtains, blinds, reflective barriers. Finding window shields is not that hard since you can easily shop through the internet nowadays, by Amazon, for instance. Shopping in physical stores is also not a bad idea since you can browse the items in person.
Financial cost-wise, shopping online is much better than shopping in physical stores, like Walmart. Online products tend to be sold on better deals because the manufacturers and resellers are not forced to mark-up the price due to rents. Nevertheless, window shields are not that expensive. You can afford an RV, so you can definitely afford to spare a few expenses on some curtains or reflective barriers.
Use A Door Snake
Image Source: bigw.com
A door snake is a tried and tested method of preventing drafts from entering the RV. A door snake is a tube of fabric or foam that is positioned under the bottom of your doors to prevent warm drafts of air from entering the RV. No need to buy a door snake in the market since you can easily make one by using a piece of fabric filled with dry ice, beans, or lentils.
Use A Plastic Insulating Film
Sometimes, your RV windows are letting in drafts that could add up to the internal heat of the RV. To solve this problem, try installing a plastic insulating film on your windows. This adhesive film can cover up your RV windows to provide an airtight seal. For around $26 to $30, you can buy plastic films enough to cover up your RV windows.
Conclusion
To summarize things up, the best RV for the hot summer is one that is well insulated, well ventilated, well tinted, sufficiently spacious, and tightly sealed. Most brand new models of RVs are now equipped with standard features to withstand the intense heat of the summer. Frankly, having an AC on your RV solves the summer heat problem instantly because it can consistently maintain cold temperatures inside the RV, even when the outside temperature is scorching hot. Nevertheless, even without an AC, a well-ventilated RV with good insulation could do the trick to at least make life livable inside the RV during the summer!
