Beat the Heat in Your RV - Media Camping Center, PA RV Dealers-

No-Sweat Tips for Enjoying Summer Camping

Three important musts for a successful summer RV camping trip are making sure that you get there and back without a breakdown, your RV is cool and comfortable, and your refrigerator keeps your food and drinks nice and cold. Some simple, common sense preparations can help.

First, be sure that your motor home or towing vehicle cooling system and “dash” air conditioning system are up to par. This is especially important if you are towing or driving in the mountains. Check radiator coolant levels in your motor home or tow vehicle before you start out. Fill the reservoir to the correct level with the right coolant mixture for your vehicle, (check the owner manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation). CAUTION; never remove the cap from a hot radiator, you may be seriously burned.

Inspect the engine belts and hoses for cracks or signs of wear. Do this with the engine turned OFF. If you are not sure how, have a qualified service technician inspect them.

Test the dash air conditioner, RV air conditioner, and refrigerator a week or two before your outing to be sure they are working properly. Summer is the busiest time at our Service Department, and while we try to help our customers with last minute emergencies, it is often impossible to get needed parts and repair work done on short notice.

Be sure to clean or replace the filter element of your roof A/C if it’s dirty, and be sure to check for any obstructions or blockage (like bird nests) in you refrigerator vents.

Other tips: Consult your owner’s manual or a good resource like Trailer Life’s RV Repair & Maintenance Manual by Bob Livingston (one of many technical books available in our Parts Store), for proper operation and maintenance of your RV appliances.

Many motor home owners use the generator and roof air conditioner instead of the dash air conditioner while driving. This will save fuel, cool the RV better, and leave you more horsepower when you need it.

Try to get a shady campsite at your favorite campground. It will be easier to keep your RV comfortable when temperatures are soaring. And be prepared to do without your air conditioner if need be. When electric use is high, some campgrounds may experience a low voltage condition, which will prevent your A/C from running properly.

Run your refrigerator on LP gas instead of electric to reduce demand for electricity.

Take portable fans with you to help keep cool. There are a variety of models available in our Parts & Accessories Store. Even if you don’t experience low voltage, and your AC is working fine, by moving the air around they help make you feel cooler, which let’s you keep your AC thermostat a few degrees higher.