Camping/parking - Rig Directional Orientation - is there one best direction to face

[swduns]

2008 Tiffin Phaeton 40’ DP
As I learn more about RVg I start to get down to more granular details
When selecting a site what is the best direction to face
My first rule is ensure unobstructed sky to SW for wife’s satellite antenna
One blog said always face MotorHome windshield due east
Said:
- morning sun in windshield to warm rig in the morning
- afternoon sun hits the rear cap which is the most insulated
- sun runs E to W but slightly to the southern side so main awning can block sun from longitudinal side of RV
- best orientation for sun hitting solar panels
Is there anyone who has figured out the perfect orientation?
Are there different rules for different types of RVs?

[Arch Hoagland]

We've stayed at several hundred RV parks over the years. Good luck getting exactly what you want as far as direction.

My only orientation is....the hook ups are on the drivers side, after that it's a crap shoot.

[2cyber71]

My 2020 Winnie Horizon 42 Q has so many big windows, it doesn’t matter. It has the best views from the inside looking right, left, and up,front. Nothing compares except a Newell or Prevost.

[rk911]

for a day or two direction was unimportant as we had both an interior and exterior solar windshield cover. for longer stays we prefered parked facing north or east. but at our last snowbird park we were facing west for 2-months. the solar windshield shade + the roof air + two floor fans (forward and aft) + the main awning and opposite side window awning did a great job keeping the coach comfortable.

as for the sat dish it made no difference to our rooftop dish as it would find the Dish birds automatically.

[RV Driver]

Put the hookups on the driver’s side, every time.

Done.

[TXiceman]

Over many years of camping, we find the best way to park is with the nose of the RF pointed north, west or somewhere in between. This would put the driver's side or street which had the fewest windows toward the most intense sum for the summer. Our RVs had the fewest windows on the street side. If your Rv has the most windows on the curb or passenger side, you would want that side toward the most intense sun.

With a motorhome and the huge windshield, you do not want the south or west sun on it..

Ken

[twogypsies]

With a motorhome we always tried to position the windshield out of the afternoon sun.

We also used a windshield sun shade which helps tremendously.

Our other windows had awnings which help with sun.

I can't recall ever having an issue with it getting too hot.

In RV parks you can't always choose your orientation. We mainly boondocked so we could place our MH wherever we wanted and we usually strived for the best view.

[Winemaker2]

For us different seasons or ambient temps make a difference.
In FL snow birding we want to sit out in afternoon and the awning doesn't give much block if pass side is S or SW.
If facing N the AM sun is welcome and Noon to PM at rear or driver side provides best shade under awning.
A sun screen added to the awning andvstaked out makes a huge difference but much more effective if not getting direct sun.

[UTTransplant]

I agree this is a very seasonal question. In warm weather I prefer the windshield to point north or east. In cold weather I like it to face south or west. But a good view trumps all that!

[Triangle Drifter]

With CGs you take what you get. The only place where the control is yours is if you are out in the open dry camping with no defined sites.

If I have some control the view will be the priority. This is rare.

[DKRITTER]

It depends

[Unplanned Tourist]

It normally doesn't get really hot here. Where we go (on shorter 2-5 night stays), I like to face South or East to get the morning sun. The awning will cut the sunshine down on the passenger side if need be.

Also it's great to be looking out over a lake or some nice view. We're fortunate to have a number of provicial and private CGs where we can do just that.

[traveldawg]

Nose North in the summer is my mantra. That way I get shade on the PS in the afternoon.

But I have a 5th wheel; and my view is out the PS windows if staying inside.

With my class A I would try for the same or toward the east but no matter what that huge windshield is nothing but a heat magnet.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by traveldawg

With my class A I would try for the same or toward the east but no matter what that huge windshield is nothing but a heat magnet.

We definitely didn't find that the windshield gets hot if you use an outside screen.