Summer RV Essentials & Fun Accessories

Summer RV Essentials & Fun Accessories
RVer gear for cool sleep, top-notch shade, and fun in the sun.

By: Morgan Field

I am Morgan Field, a part-time van-lifer/RVer, traveling with my fur bestie Teddy who has a million-dollar smile and loves to share life’s adventures with me. When we are not exploring in our 2019 Winnebago Travato 59K, we are home-based in central Florida.

People often ask me, “why do you stick around Florida so much in the summer when you can go literally anywhere and chase the cooler weather with your RV?” To me, it’s more about having the right essentials for the heat, that would allow me to enjoy some fun in the sun instead of just avoiding it altogether. So, for those of you who will be traveling to and through warmer temps this summer, I’ve got you! 

Today I am sharing some of my favorite summer essentials for your RV adventures. Enjoy!

Cooling Bedding for Summer RVing

To be honest, I came across a cooling comforter rather accidentally, and it was one of the best serendipitous gifts for my summer travels. I was gifted the Buffy Breeze comforter from a fellow van traveler who had ordered a couple of options to try out. This one was unopened, and then they realized they missed the return date for it, so they paid it forward and gifted it to me. (How amazing is the RV community?!)

I have two twin beds, so I optimized my space and time by keeping a cooling comforter on my bed during the summer, and then set up the second bed with a heavy-duty comforter and extra blankets for cooler temps. That way it optimizes storage, and I am always ready for any temperature I may encounter in my travels.

Buffy also has cooling sheets, which are next on my hit list for something to try out to make it even more comfortable to sleep in the RV in the summer. One thing I will note though, is if I were to purchase another Buffy cooling comforter, I would most likely get the Cloud comforter, as that one is machine washable. The one I was gifted is dry clean only. That’s a lesson I learned so many times in the RV life—check the care instructions when purchasing bedsheets, comforters, blankets, and such things. ;)

Finding the Right Heat-Blocking RV Window Shades

When my front window Remi shade broke, I put in a lot of sweat equity in research to look at what was the best option for my next investment in shades. Through my research and shade upgrading, I’ve come to realize what a crucial asset shades really are for traveling in extreme temperatures—especially the heat. There are a lot of options on the market that provide privacy, but few offer the true quality of heat protection that will work overtime to help you keep the heat out. 

When I did my research, the number one option for me personally for my Winnebago Travato that hit every single one of my must-haves were the Vanmade Gear shades that I now have. They are sun blocking (97% radiant heat reflection and UV protection), sound-dampening, ultraviolet, fire resistant, water repellant, create a blackout effect, and provide insulation.

Here is what I found are the essential things to consider as you make this important investment for your RV summer travels:

Quality of heat protection.

In my research, I found that so many people pay for the cheaper quality shades and tend to regret it later. Shades are one of those things that are truly paramount to invest in for RV life and travels. You will use them every time you are in your rig and they will be your greatest partner-in-shine to keep the heat out when it matters. 

If you live in and or travel to places like Florida, Texas, or Arizona, where the sun is generous and hot as all can be, the quality of the shades and fit matter even more. So when I tell you I spent so much time—in thread after thread of conversations on Facebook groups, on Google, reading all of the reviews, scouring the inter-webs for all the info—I truly put in the sweat equity to find what matters most when purchasing shades, found the best option for me, and I am sharing my insights with you to pay it forward as you journey into your summer fun! 

The Vanmade Gear shades I went with were the highest quality I could find. According to some of the threads I was reading, for the cost it would have been to replace the Remi shade, you can get the whole Cab Set—front window shade, and the front and passenger side window shades. I also got the back door window shades—the Rear Door Shades set—so that I could upgrade from the original cloth ones. So now I have full 360-degree privacy and high-quality sun protection in my van. 

My next purchase with Vanmade Gear is going to upgrade my Van Essentials maxxfan cover, that I inherited with the purchase of my van, to get the Vanmade Gear Roof Vent Fan Isolated cover. 

Ease of use and storage.

Consider the ease of use, and storage space. For example, my Vanmade Gear shades that I have for my backdoor windows stay on the actual window frame while I am driving. When driving you just fold them back so you can see out the back windows while you’re on the road. It’s such incredible ease for storage—literally right on the window frame. Then there’s the quick and easy option to pull-to-close the shade across the window to cover it fully—which is absolutely wonderful whenever you want and need the privacy for using the bathroom, showering, or changing.

My front cab shades came with a storage bag and they fit right in between my driver’s seat and the door. Because there is a gap of space behind the seat, I can push it back a bit, and it is out of the way of the seatbelt and door frame. So, it’s super easy and out-of-the-way storage. 

Full coverage and privacy.

The full coverage fit on the window itself makes a difference on the heat reflection. Also take into consideration how important it is to have coverage on every single window in your RV. You may not realize how much heat is coming in from unexpected places. 

Yes, of course, we all know how important it is to have a super high-quality shade for the front windshield. Yet, sometimes we forget about how important it is to make sure all of the windows are covered with the same quality and protection—because every window is letting heat in. (Even those ceiling “windows” with our fans let heat in!) It sounds kind of obvious, but I personally didn’t realize just how much of a game changer it is to cover any and all places the sun comes in.

For my shade selection, the brightness when sleeping mattered to me. I love to wake up when I choose to, not because the sun is beaming in for a morning wakeup call that has the grace of donkeys and roosters letting you know it’s time to start the day. My new front window shade lets in the tiniest bit of sunlight that peaks through at the very top of the front windshield cover, but it’s a micro amount that I don’t mind much. I will probably try little stick pins to secure it to the cab’s headliner where the sun peaks in, but even without the pins, I can now rest in peace. 

I feel an increased privacy due to the full coverage fit of my shades also. There’s a certain level of stealth mode that can be felt when no one can see in. At night, I can be less hesitant to use my light to read or enjoy my music that I listen to from my JBL speaker that radiates the van in its glorious multi-colored light. These little details really do make big impacts to the quality of life on the road. 

No matter who you chose to go with for your shades, I am wishing you many heat protected adventures, stealthy ninja-like nights in your RV, good sleep, and waking up in restful peace. 

Top Accessories for Enjoying Warm-Weather RV Travel

1. Adventure hat for sun protection

Having a hat that is large-brimmed and keeps all that sun off of your head and face is a game-changer for the summer! My hat of choice is my HUK hat. I absolutely love this thing! It has SPF sun blocking, is super colorful and fun, plus it has a massive rim that keeps the sun out of my face for all of my favorite summer things—kayaking, Hipcamping at horse farms, or chillin’ on the beach.

2. Foldable e-bike for extra fun

If you are like me, having a bike adds tremendous child-like joy to your summer RV adventures. It’s also an additional transportation device to zip around town or even a campground when I am parked. 

I personally don’t want to draw any extra attention to me with a bike hanging on the back of my vehicle, so I selected a foldable one that fits inside. I love bright colors, and wanted something compact and light that was easy to lift, and with pedal assist so that I could use my bike for a workout when I wanted yet with the option for a little help on hills when needed. The bike that fit my desires and needs was the Lectric Lite in a glorious bright blue. 

Note: GoLife Perks members can now receive 30% off the MSRP of up to two Blaupunkt e-bikes. Learn more.

3. Compact chairs to relax and soak it all in

The brand that was recommended to me and that I’ve come to love is Helinox. This is one of the infinite reasons that I love the RV community so much—what a wealth of ideas, inspiration, travel tips, and goodies that we share with one another to make our lives easier, more filled with joy, more compact, and brighter. 

I am all about bright colors, and compact-ability. My favorite Helinox chair is the Sunset tie-dye, with a gorgeous orange base. This thing is so compact that I can fit it in my hiking pack. Which is incredible for when I go to RV events and need to commute a walking or biking distance to get to where the main site for the gathering is. 

It’s also something I can take with me if I am hiking and want to bring the chair to sit and soak in incredible views. I pull it out when I go sit waterside for the ocean views, and when I pull into a big grassy field and pretend it’s my backyard for the day. The chair takes up very little space in my RV, which is so important when traveling in smaller spaces—especially if you have a travel van like my Winnebago Travato with limited space and storage.

4. Outdoor mat for the ambiance

I pair my vibrant Helinox chair with a bright outdoor mat that I found on Amazon that I really love! For me, I love to set the ambiance when I get to wherever my adventures lead me. The mat gives me a place to set up my table and chair—to eat, work, or journal. It’s a place to lay out in the sun and take in some rays. It also gives my fur bestie a place to lay that is covered—which is so important if your fur bestie is prone to allergies and itchiness. 

Additional Tips to Prepare for Summer in your RV

This article shares some great ideas for beating the heat in your RV, but here are some more tips I’d like to offer from my experience:

• Get your RV A/C serviced: Make sure to get your cooling system checked and serviced before you hit the road. Cleaning the coils in your A/C can help it perform better, which makes a huge difference in the summer heat. 
• Parking Matters: Park in a way where the metaphorical and literal sun doesn’t shine—with the back of your RV to the sun, and the windshield away from the heat. If you don’t need the solar panels to charge your batteries for a while, if you are running your generator, or are plugged in, parking in the shade makes the most humongous difference in dropping the heat temps for a cooler experience in your RV. 
• Keep the tank filled up: My Winnebago Travato 59K has a generator that runs off the fuel in the tank, so I always make sure I have ample gas. I try to make it a rule to fill up when I see that the tank is about half full. It’s not necessary, but it keeps me out of any close calls, and allows me to keep peace of mind when I want to stop and run the generator for some A/C while I am resting or popping in somewhere and want A/C for my fur bestie. (This article has some great tips for saving on fuel.)

• Search for camping sites with electric to plug in to get your A/C on at night. Hipcamp is my absolute favorite. You can even find some amazing waterfront locations to have the most spectacular views while you enjoy your stops along the way. 
• Check and touch-up your seals. The sun beaming down onto your RV can make your seals dry-out and crack faster, and spring and summer can bring extra rain and showers. So do yourself a favor and touch up the seals on the roof and sidewalls of your RV before you hit the road. Extra bonus points to travel with the needed sealant for your RV just in case you may need to do future touch-ups when you are on the road. 
• Check your tires regularly. Tire pressure can increase in the heat. I carry a handheld tire pressure gauge with me. A great time to check your RV tires would be in the morning before you hit the road, while they are at a cooler resting temp. Also, be mindful to drive a little slower when it’s hotter to help tires from overheating on the hot pavement. One of my favorite things of RV life is that there’s usually no rush to be anywhere anyways—so take your time, enjoy, and your tires will thank you. 

If you need new tires, remember that GoLife Perks members receive a discount on Michelin RV tires. Learn more here.

• Change your batteries on your fire detector and carbon monoxide detector. This is something to consider as you go out on your summer adventures, especially if you haven’t been out in a while, can’t remember the last time you changed them, and want to avoid a 3 a.m. beeping mystery that leaves you hunting for the culprit, while miles away from batteries. (Sharing from hands-on learning.)
• Manage humidity. Because moisture and humidity are a thing in RV life, I proactively keep a few small damp rid containers throughout my Winnebago Travato 59K. They do fill up surprisingly fast—I replace them every couple of months. They are relatively cheap and low maintenance, yet significantly help with the humidity and moisture in the air. Also, running your A/C every now and again, even on days where you aren’t using your rig, can help cut down on humidity. Learn more about reducing humidity here.

Happy summer RV adventures to you and yours! May your summer be abundantly and joyously blessed, and filled with endless memories that last a lifetime!

You can follow along with me on Instagram (@themorganfield) or on Facebook.