You’re driving to Florida for your family’s spring break vacation and looking forward to the hot weather. The traffic’s moving nicely; the kids are strapped in at the dinette table and playing a game — when suddenly the afternoon sun’s golden rays start beating down through your RV window.
At first, it feels great. You soak it in, but after a few minutes, those coveted rays start to burn.
That sun is hot. And it’s not long before you’re shading your face, and your kids start complaining about the heat.
This is when you ask the all-important question: Can you run an RV air conditioner while driving?
While the answer varies based on your RV and what type of RV generator you have, rest assured that there are ways to keep your camper cooler while traveling.
Can I Use Both My Dashboard and a Rooftop Air Conditioner While Driving my RV?
RVs typically have a dashboard and a rooftop air conditioner to deal with the RV’s air conditioning needs.
The dashboard AC is powered by the vehicle’s engine and is great for cooling smaller spaces.
A rooftop AC, by contrast, is more powerful and efficient and can be powered by a generator while driving.
So, which one should you use? Both are great options, but each lends its own advantages and limitations.
Dashboard Air Conditioning
A dashboard air conditioner, also known as “dash air,” is just like a car’s dash air conditioner. It provides warm or cool airflow through the vents. Since the engine powers it, you always have the dash air available while driving and don’t need an additional power source to run it.
While “dash air” can keep your front seat passengers cool, can the dash air cool the rest of the RV, too?
While you could rig up some electric fans to circulate the cooler air, the downside to relying on the dashboard AC is that for a larger Class C recreational vehicle, it’s that it’s not sufficient for cooling the entire RV, namely the living space behind the driver’s area.
This is where an RV’s rooftop air conditioner comes in handy, as it’s a stronger cooling agent, capable of blowing cool air through larger spaces.
Rooftop Air Conditioning
Rooftop air conditioners, such as an RV’s rooftop AC, sit atop the RV’s roof and cool the entire living space.
While driving, you can use your rooftop AC if it’s safe to use your generator while driving. If you do choose to use your generator mid road trip, you’ll incur higher fuel costs, but your passengers will thank you.
Despite their increased power requirements, rooftop AC units are really the only way to keep your RV living spaces cool and comfortable, even on those especially scorching days.
By using a combination of both systems, you can ensure a pleasant and cozy cabin for everyone inside the RV, no matter where your passengers are sitting.
Is It Safe to Run My RV’s Generator to Power My Rooftop Air Conditioning While Driving?
The safety of you and your passengers is paramount. The thought may have crossed your mind: Is it safe to run a rooftop A/C while driving? After all, there’s an inherent difference between, “Can I run my RV air conditioner while driving?” and “Should I run it while driving?”
Yes, you always can, but it’s not completely risk-free to run all generators while driving.
A propane generator or gas generator should not be used while driving. Both of these generators use explosive fuels to generate power. If you end up in an accident while using one of these fuels, you risk a fire or explosion that is more likely to harm your passengers and destroy your RV. (In fact, there are propane usage laws that warn against this very thing.)
But if you have an electric motor powered by solar panels, for example, then keeping your generator running while you’re driving isn’t a safety risk. Adhering to these safety measures allows for a comfortable, worry-free journey that does not compromise the well-being of those onboard.
How to Stay Cool Without Rooftop AC While Driving
So, you’ve learned that you shouldn’t use your propane generator while driving. You’re all about complying with the law and safety measures that protect people, but your RV will (inevitably) get hot without an A/C running. So, how do you keep your passengers cool on hot days?
Here are some practical changes you can make to your RV to keep the cabin area cooler on your next road trip.
Run the Air Conditioner Before You Leave
If you cool your RV to the desired temperature before departure, you can keep your RV at a comfortable temperature for the beginning of your journey. If you cover your windows, then you can slow the gradual heating process of your RV.
Incorporate Window Coverings
The sunlight seeping through your RV windows creates the greenhouse effect that keeps your plants happy during a chilly spring. Unfortunately, this same effect heats up your travel trailer mighty quickly.
You can keep internal temperatures low by using shades or blackout curtains to block direct sunlight.
Invest in Window Tinting
Some RVs don’t lend themselves to window covering. In some cases, RV owners just don’t like the appearance of bulk blackout curtains. If you’re one of those people, invest in quality window tinting that blocks UV rays.
Open a Window
This does depend on what type of window you have. If you have the windows that you crank, then no, don’t open those while driving. But if you have windows that slide down, it’s perfectly safe to open your windows and allow fresh air to circulate.
Use Battery-Powered Fans
There are two ways to use fans when cooling cabins in RVs. First, you can angle a fan so that it’s blowing directly on the passengers. That works okay, but the air that’s circulating will still be warm.
Alternatively, you can set up your fans strategically so that they pull air from the front cab (where the dash air conditioning is running), effectively circulating cool air.
Buy a Portable AC Unit
While pricey, you can always purchase portable, battery-powered air conditioners if your dash air conditioning just isn’t cutting it. These portable AC units can operate for up to eight hours on a single charge.
But take note, not just any portable AC unit will work. You need one that has its own battery power source. If you try to hook up your portable unit to your RV battery power, you risk draining your RV battery before you get where you’re going.
What Not to Do
Finally, let’s end with a quick what NOT to do. When people get desperate, they crank open their ceiling vents while in motion to allow airflow. This is a bad idea.
Don’t crank open the ceiling vents while driving. It’s hard on gas mileage and your hardware. While it does provide for some air flow, those cranks aren’t designed to withstand that kind of wind resistance, and they could break.
Summary
Air conditioning systems are a beautiful thing. They allow you to drive your RV to exotic places yet still sleep comfortably when it’s hot.
But what if you need to park your RV in a hot climate for the long term?
That’s where Neighbor can help. Neighbor — a peer-to-peer marketplace — provides legal, safe, climate-controlled, and budget-friendly storage spaces for RVs.
And before you store your RV in a hot climate, here are eleven things you need to do.
