How to beat the Heat When it Comes to Summer RV Trips

By Catherine Powell

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School’s out in Jacksonville and you’re thinking of firing up the RV to take the family on a road trip for summer vacation.  That’s a great idea.  Just remember if you plan on tooling down the highway in the Sunshine State during July and August, it’s going to be hot out there.  The Florida heat can take a toll on you, your family and your RV if you aren’t properly prepared. To help you get in the swing of things, here are my top-10 tips for beating the heat when it comes to summer RV trips,

      1.      Get your RV serviced before you hit the road. – Nothing ruins an RV trip faster than breaking down on the road or finding out your roof air conditioner has bit the dust.  Take your RV to your friendly, neighborhood mechanic and have him check the belts and the AC, change the oil and top off the coolant.  Also have him give your vehicle a once over to spot leaks or wear and tear that could turn a dream road trip into a vacation from hell.

      2.      Stock the pantry with the summer in mind. – Another mistake is not to pack the right provisions to help you deal with summer conditions.  Sure, your RV has a refrigerator and a stove. But both your cooking facilities and your storage areas are limited. Unlike your kitchen at home, the more provisions you pack in your RV, the more fuel you will use, since weight reduces fuel efficiency.  This means it’s vital to economize on the food and cookware you take on the road. Instead of trying to match your home kitchen, think multipurpose cookware.  One frying pan and a Dutch oven with a lid that can also fit the pan will save weight.  A nested set of mixing bowls can also double as serving bowls. A chef’s knife and a paring knife are all you really need on the road. No reason to bring a complete set of carving knives.  When it comes to food, dried food beats canned goods every time if you want to reduce weight.  Snack food like graham crackers and marshmallows weigh almost nothing. While beverages weigh a lot, you’ll need lots of them to deal with the summer heat.

     

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3.      Sunscreen is a must – You can always tell northern RVers.  They’re the ones who look like rock lobsters after a couple of days in the Florida sun.  Even if you’ve lived in Florida all your life, you still need to apply heavy-duty sunscreen to keep from getting sunburned. Personally, I recommend using SPF 50 sunscreen during the summer since it blocks 98% of UVA & UVB rays.  Even this should be applied twice if you plan on spending the day in the sun.  The sun is always strongest between 11 am and 3 pm.  This is when you need to be the most vigilant.  Other than breaking down on the road, nothing ruins a vacation faster than having someone in your family get a severe sunburn.

      4.      Protect against insects – Another must-do is to protect your family against biting insects and mosquitoes.  Once the sun goes down, the bugs come out in force.  While biting flies and gnats can be annoying, it’s mosquitoes you really have to be wary of. Mosquitoes in Florida can carry West Nile virus, Eastern encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis and Lime Disease. The trick is to get your hands on a mosquito repellent that really works.  In a recent Consumer’s Guide report on the subject, the three most effective insect repellents were those that contained either Deet (less than 30% concentration), Picardin (more than 20% concentration) or Oil of lemon eucalyptus (30% concentration).  To read the article, go to https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/insect-repellent/buying-guide/index.htm

      5.      Are your cooling systems up to snuff? – Even if your RV passed inspection with your mechanic, that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down when on the road.  The summer sun can put an added strain on everything from your RV’s radiator to its roof air unit and refrigerator.  While underway make sure you keep a weather eye on the engine temp.  Particularly if you’re towing a trailer or car behind your RV, the heat can wreak havoc with the radiator.  If you see the engine temp climbing, pull over beneath a bridge or under a tree to let the radiator cool down.  The same goes for your AC unit.  If you can’t find a shady spot to park, extending your RV’s awnings can help drop the interior temperature so your air conditioner can better deal with the summer heat. It will also reduce the strain on your refrigerator.

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      6.      Did you bring a boat? – If you brought a boat or raft and plan on spending some time on the water, make sure you do so early in the morning.  If you wait until the afternoon when the heat is at its highest, both you and your boat could be in for a surprise.  That’s because once the temperature hits the mid-90’s, the strain on you and your outboard motor could be severe enough to cause either to seize up.

      7.      Pack a serious first aid kit. – While many families bring a box of bandages and some antiseptic with them on a road trip, during the summer you really need a lot more gear.  That’s because the summer brings out the worst in people, pets and wild animals. While those Band-Aids might be able to deal with a skinned elbow or knee, they won’t be able to help you treat a sprained ankle, an animal bite or heat exhaustion.

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      8.      Did you bring your bikes? – If you are a cyclist, realize that while you might be able to ride 10-miles or more, if you break a chain or blow a tire, you could be in for a long, hot walk back to where you parked the RV.  With that in mind, make sure you bring plenty of water and make sure you’re dressed appropriately.  While that cute pair of shorts and a tank top might turn heads, it can also turn into a severe case of sunburn or sun stroke if you’re forced to push your bike for miles on end.   

      9.      Bring a wading pool with you. – Everyone likes a spa, right?  One of the best ways to beat the heat that adds little weight to your RV is to pack an inflatable wading pool.   If you’re planning on staying at an RV park, you will have little trouble running a hose to fill up a kiddie pool that everyone can take turns dipping in from time to time.  When it comes time to get back on the road, it takes only a few minutes to drain the pool and pack it away for your next stop.

      10.  Keep your cool – The summer heat can sometimes bring out the worst in you or yours.  The best way to combat this, especially if you find yourself cooped up in your camper for the better part of the afternoon, is to pack plenty of games the whole family can enjoy.  Board games like Scrabble and Monopoly are a great way to while away the afternoon while you wait for the temperature to drop back once the sun goes down.  Speaking of which, make sure you have a hardy supply of batteries for your flashlights if you plan on doing a little night trekking. Once you leave the city behind, you’ll be surprised at the number of stars you can see in the night sky.  It’s way better than watching TV.

Catherine Powell is owner of A Plus All Florida Insurance in Orange Park, Florida.  To find out more about RV insurance, check out her website at http://aplusallfloridainsuranceinc.com