As for me, I’m not a fan of being too hot. Even while driving our RV on extremely hot days, I’ve found that I’m unable to maintain a comfortable temperature. To keep myself and the rest of the RV cool, I wondered if I could operate the RV’s rooftop AC while driving. Of course, I did some digging and discovered that the answer is a resounding YES! Running the RV’s air conditioning while driving is entirely acceptable!
Is it necessary to operate the AC when driving with the generator running? Do you need a propane generator to power your air conditioning? Do you think it’s safe to use the generator right now? Is it a good investment?
All of these questions will be answered in the following article. Here are some tips for keeping cool while driving with the AC running on a hot day.
What’s the Point of Using My RV’s Rooftop A/C When I’m Driving?
This looks like a nice spot to start the article. There are a variety of reasons why you might want to add some more air conditioning to your vehicle in order to remain cool. Additionally, the sort of RV you’re driving may play an impact.
You may wish to use the A/C while driving because the outside temperature is so high that the dash air conditioning isn’t powerful enough to keep you cool. This happened in Death Valley, California, but it could happen anywhere. The reason for this is that the dash air has to keep the driving cabin cold while also battling the heat from the back of the RV.
When driving over mountains on a hot day, you may wish to turn on the rooftop air conditioner in order to increase your vehicle’s horsepower. When driving up a hill, running the air conditioning puts a burden on the engine. I’ll turn off the dash AC and run the rooftop AC so that we can stay cool and maintain a respectable speed on the uphill climbs in mountain zones.
The back of the RV may not be cool enough for passengers to be comfortable if you have the dash air conditioning running, too. You may therefore turn on the rooftop air conditioning and keep everyone comfortable and comfortable.
Does the kind of RV Matter?
There is a distinction between a Class A and a Class C RV, yes. A few perks come with owning a Class C RV. For starters, a large visor extends out over the windshield, shielding it from glare and the sun. Additionally, the Class C design allows us to raise the cabin curtain behind us while driving. There is less room for air conditioning to circulate while we are driving.
Class A RVs are a different matter. Because of the large windshield and lack of sun protection, the cab can get extremely warm. In Class A RVs, it is more difficult to isolate the cab from the remainder of the RV. As a result, the dash air conditioner cools the cabin and some of the RV’s hotter air from the back to keep the driver comfortable. The front cabin of Class A RVs normally has fans surrounding the windshield to assist keep it cool, but on really hot and bright days, the fans may not be adequate to keep the area cool.
Is the rooftop air conditioner powered by the generator?
Yes, the rooftop air conditioner must be run on the generator. In your RV, there are two different air conditioning systems. One is the dash air, which functions exactly like your car’s AC. It uses the engine in your car to produce warm or cool airflow through the vents. Your RV’s rooftop air conditioner, which is powered by electricity, is the additional cooling system. Thus, you are able to use both the rooftop and dash air conditioners simultaneously. And a lot of individuals actually do precisely that.
Your rooftop air conditioner receives power from two different sources. One is shore power, where you would, for instance, hook the RV power cord into an electrical outlet at a campsite. The generator inside your RV is the other source of electricity that can run your rooftop air conditioner. Whether your generator is fuelled by gasoline or propane, it generates electricity, which drives your air conditioner.
Is Running the Generator While Driving Safe?
It is absolutely safe to use your RV’s generator while traveling. To ensure that you don’t run into any issues, there are a few things you should be aware of.
If the generator is gasoline-powered, be careful to fill up the tank before starting the car while the generator is running. The same gasoline that the RV uses to fuel its engine is used by the generator to power its engine.
Although you’re unlikely to run out of gas while driving, the generator will shut down automatically if the gasoline level falls below 1/4 tank. Most generators have this built-in safety function to ensure that the gasoline in the gas tank isn’t completely depleted while the generator is running. The safety feature aids in avoiding a scenario in which you find yourself stuck with no gas in the gas tank in the middle of nowhere.
You should be aware of any state or municipal legislation that would forbid using propane while driving if your generator runs on fuel. For instance, in Maryland, where we currently reside, running a propane generator through the harbor tunnel is prohibited.
RELATED READING: Can I Run The RV Generator While Driving
Is Running the Rooftop AC While Driving Fuel Efficient?
Running the AC while driving isn’t going to save you a lot of gas, so I’m sorry to disappoint. A gas generator will use around half a gallon of gas each hour, and I doubt that your gas mileage will improve enough to make up for the generator’s fuel use. However, in mountainous areas, turning off the dash air can bring the break-even point a little closer.
Comfort is the primary reason for using air conditioning when driving. A/C is a luxury most people take for granted whether traveling or living in an RV full-time, so why risk being uncomfortable while driving without it? For us, it’s not worth it to be uncomfortable when driving our RV for tens of thousands of miles each year.
Conclusion
It is entirely safe to run the generator and the RV’s rooftop air conditioner while driving, and it will keep you cool and comfortable. When driving an RV, even if it isn’t the most fuel-efficient method, you and any passengers you have will be far more comfortable.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about this article.
Is there anything you can think of to keep cool when driving in the heat? Let us know what you think by commenting here!
