How We Stay Comfortable in All Seasons: RV Heating & Cooling Tips for Full-Time Travelers

How We Stay Comfortable in All Seasons: RV Heating & Cooling Tips for Full-Time Travelers

Living in a 5th wheel full-time means we’ve experienced just about every type of weather from freezing nights in the mountains to hot, humid days by the coast. Over time, we’ve learned that managing temperature inside the RV isn’t just about comfort, it’s about protecting your rig and your sanity.

Here’s how we keep things cozy in the winter and cool in the summer, no matter where the road takes us.

🌨️ Winter: Staying Warm Without Breaking the Bank

1. Skirting Your RV:
If you’re parked in one place for a while, RV skirting is a game changer. It blocks cold drafts from blowing under your rig and helps prevent frozen pipes. You can buy pre-made kits or DIY it with foam board insulation.

2. Small Space Heaters:
Electric ceramic heaters are great for evenings when the furnace feels like overkill. We use one near the living area and another in the bedroom for zoned comfort.

3. Heated Water Hose & Tank Pads:
A must for cold climates, frozen water lines can ruin your day fast. A heated hose keeps water flowing even when temps dip below freezing.

4. Thermal Curtains & Reflectix:
We added thermal curtains and cut Reflectix insulation to fit our windows and skylights. It’s low-cost and makes a huge difference in retaining heat.

☀️ Summer: Staying Cool on the Move

1. Keep Air Circulating:
Vent fans are lifesavers. We use MaxxAir fans to pull out hot air and bring in cool air at night. Keeping windows open strategically creates a cross breeze.

2. Portable Fans & Dehumidifiers:
Humidity is sneaky, it makes everything feel hotter. A small dehumidifier helps a lot in muggy regions like the Southeast.

3. RV AC Maintenance:
Clean your filters often! Dirty filters make your AC work twice as hard. We also added a soft start module to run our AC more efficiently off our generator when boondocking.

4. Park Smart:
Whenever possible, we choose shaded sites or park so our biggest windows face north. It helps keep the rig cooler naturally.

🔧 Bonus Tip: Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Switching to a smart thermostat like the Micro-Air EasyTouch was one of the best upgrades we made. We can monitor and adjust the temperature remotely, which is perfect when we’re out exploring all day.