Community Forums

RonLC · 06-12-2019, 06:41 AM

How do you folks in hot areas such as Arizona/Nevada handle the heat that reaches over 100 on a daily basis? Does a dry heat help the A/C units cool more effectively that a humid heat?

In my part of the country the A/C units run continually during our humid summers.

I am asking because we are on a trip to the NW and plan on dropping down to I-10 for the trip back home in September.

Kahoona · 06-12-2019, 08:28 AM

It is dryer but it still gets just as hot inside. We were stuck in Quartzite in august waiting for parts and even plugged in it was over 90f inside. We have a single roof ac. While moving you will be OK with both roof and dash. If you can park in shade it is OK. Awning down on the sunny side. reflective shades on windows when running and the windshield when stopped. No better than South FL really. Go anyway. It's worth it.

grindstone01 · 06-12-2019, 08:35 AM

A couple of years ago we spent 2 months in N. Ca and the temp was 105 on some days and with only 1 AC unit that ran full time, it would still be 85 inside. Keep in mind that 85 was still comfortable inside the RV considering the dry heat.

twogypsies · 06-12-2019, 11:10 AM

Arizonians don't typically stay in parks in the summer. They head for cooler temps.

You might consider taking I-40 across to Amarillo, TX & then dropping down to I-10. Along I-40 in AZ, it will be a lot cooler than I-10. Flagstaff is one of the places southern Arizonians go to cool off. You have to think elevation to get cool - above 6,000'; preferably 7-8,000' EL.

If you're only planning on one night as you travel it's very doable in AZ. The nights cool way down.

Regardless, if you want I-10 in AZ with multiple night stays it's doable with the AC running a lot.

RKins · 06-12-2019, 05:00 PM

When I lived in AZ (Sierra Vista) I had a E-150 van and had a vent on top. Smoking hot and dry out there so I ordered a "swamp cooler" for the roof and it fit over the vent hole. Google "swamp cooler" to see how it works and think about replacing one of your AC units with one while you're in that oven. Everyone in Southern AZ has a swamp cooler for air conditioning on their house - will freeze you out. (At least in the 80s they did)

gazingm42 · 06-20-2019, 11:01 PM

When we go to southern Utah to Zion or Moab it way over 100 during the day. We use the AC and keep the shades down. We able to keep it very comfortable for us.