DIY Cooling Solutions for Your RV

This article may contain compensated links, please read our disclaimer for more information.

One of the benefits of RV camping is the ability to stay cool no matter where you roam. Of course, if you aren’t able to use the built-in A/C unit for any reason, this becomes a lot more difficult. The good news? It is still possible to keep your RV relatively cool even if the air conditioner can’t be used.

Below are some of my favorite DIY RV cooling solutions. Use these ideas and you’ll stay comfortable through the hot season.

Maximize Ventilation: Harness Airflow

Ventilation is the key to keep your RV liveable during the hot months when A/C isn’t available. Use airflow to your advantage, making sure to get every bit of cooling power you can from it.

Cross-Ventilation 101

First, open windows on opposite sides of your RV. This will create a breeze across the trailer or motorhome that feels amazing on warm days. To make this strategy even more effective, consider placing portable fans strategically to push air in one window and out the other.

You might also install awning window vent covers so you can always keep windows open—rain or shine—and use screened vent inserts for doors and roof vents to add airflow without letting bugs in.

DIY Roof Fan Hacks

We also like to use our roof vent fan to get air moving. If you don’t already have a roof vent fan, you can create one by installing a small 12V fan into your existing vent for airflow at a fraction of the cost.

However, if you have the funds, MaxxAir vent fans work wonders, and the included cover that installs over the vent allows you to run the fan no matter the weather outside. It’s actually relatively easy to switch your factory vent fan out for a Maxxair fan.

Reflect the Sun

When it comes to keeping your rig cool, keeping sunlight out is half the battle. Luckily, a few inexpensive, easy-to-install exterior upgrades can block sunlight and help keep the interior of your RV as cool as possible.

Reflective Window Covers

When it comes to insulating our RV, Reflectix or foil bubble insulation is my best friend. I cut the material to fit snugly into each window frame and secure it with Velcro strips. The stuff blocks sunlight like you wouldn’t believe, and it even reflects radiant heat away.

DIY RV Awning Extensions

I love to put our RV awning out for added shade in sunny places. That said, the awning alone isn’t always enough. If you want to make your awning even more effective, sew or clip on shade cloth extensions to the sides to reduce morning and evening sun.

Roof Protection

Over the years, I’ve found that our RV roof is a heat magnet. To combat this, consider temporarily mounting aluminized tarps using magnets or clips to provide an extra shield. Some people will paint their RV roof with a reflective material, but I don’t trust that it won’t mess up the rubber and thus prefer to stick with the removable tarps.

Insulate: Keep Heat Out and Cool In

Insulation is everything when it comes to keeping your RV comfortable. Unfortunately, RVs are notorious for their lack of insulation. We earlier mentioned using Reflectix in the windows, but there are a few other things you can do to try to insulate in order to keep your rig cool in the summer (and warm in the winter).

Window Insulation

Once your Reflectix is in place, consider adding blackout curtains with thermal backing for both light and temperature control. Shower curtain liners also work as a thermal layer and are much more budget-friendly. Simply cut and hang them behind existing curtains.

Vent Pillows and Skylight Blocks

Foam vent pillows have been amazing for keeping our RV cool in summer. They are affordable and super easy to use. Just insert the pillows into roof vents and skylights during the hottest parts of the day. You can even cover them with Mylar or reflective tape for added sun resistance.

Floor Insulation

Heat naturally rises, and this means poorly insulated RV floors can contribute to internal heat. To improve upon your RV floor insulation, use interlocking foam mats to create a thermal barrier. You can also layer rug runners or heavy blankets over problem spots.

Build a DIY Evaporative Cooler

While it won’t work in a humid place like Florida, a swamp cooler is a game-changer in dryer climates. These devices use water evaporation to reduce air temperature. Best of all, you can make one with household items.

What You’ll Need

• Small plastic cooler or styrofoam box
• USB or 12V fan
• PVC elbow joints or dryer vent tubing
• Ice or frozen water bottles

To Build the Cooler

1. Cut a fan-sized hole in the lid of the cooler.
2. Cut two smaller holes for air vents.
3. Insert the fan in the lid, angled to blow inward.
4. Insert PVC elbows into the vent holes (facing outward).
5. Fill the cooler with ice or frozen bottles and seal the lid.

The fan pulls warm air in, forces it over the ice, and pushes out cooler air through the vents. You can power this via USB, solar, or 12V outlet—perfect for off-grid setups.

Install a DIY Misting System (For Outdoor Cooling)

Okay, so a misting system won’t cool the inside of your RV, but it can make a huge difference when you’re hanging out outside. On top of that, cooling your exterior environment can indirectly help keep your RV interior from absorbing heat.

What You’ll Need

• Misting hose kit or fine-spray nozzles
• Hose splitter
• Zip ties or clamps

How-To Build the Mister

1. Connect the misting line to a garden hose.
2. Mount nozzles along your awning arms or nearby structures.
3. Turn on water to produce a fine mist.

Evaporation cools the surrounding air. Impressively, it can actually bring temperatures down by 10°F or more. I’ve also seen some people set up fans along with the misting system for added effect.

Timing is Everything: Behavioral Cooling Hacks

All of the tools and tricks above are great, but sometimes simply changing your habits can make all the difference in the world. Here are some behavioral changes you can make to keep things cool in your RV.

Cook Outside

Cooking in your RV will definitely heat it up, and getting it cool again can be a challenge. Instead, set up a grill, griddle, or campfire and cook all of your meals outside. We actually enjoy this, as it gives us more time outside and encourages the whole family to cook together.

Park in the Shade

Whenever possible, park in the shade. It can help to use a compass or smartphone app to track where the sun will hit throughout the day, so you can make sure you get as much shade as possible during the hottest parts of the day.

Pull in Night Air

Once the sun goes down, open windows, vents, and fans to pull in cool air throughout the night. Wake up early and trap that cool air by sealing the rig before the heat builds.

Stay Cool While You Sleep

I absolutely cannot sleep if I’m hot. For this reason, I have found a number of different ways to cool off during the night in order to get some shut-eye before the sun comes up.

Some of my top tips include the following:

• Freeze water bottles and place them at your feet or behind your neck.
• Sleep with a wet washcloth on your forehead or chest.
• Create a bedside cross-breeze using two small fans on either side of your pillow.
• Use cooling gel pads or bamboo sheets, which breathe better than cotton.

As you can see, there are lots of DIY cooling solutions for RVs. All of these can be used off-grid with nothing more than a house battery and some 12V fans, meaning they are ideal for boondocking or for keeping cool while saving electricity. Why not try some of these options out on your next adventure?

Fulltime Families is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.