We are considering a move to the Phoenix area and are planning to buy a motorhome sometime next year. We have heard about the damage that the sun and heat can cause, but don't know any specifics. What are the effects of sun and heat on a motorhome? Do rubber components such as tires, belts, hoses age faster? Other than using 303 Protectant on tires and slideout seals, what protections can be used effectively? We probably won't have a power hookup when the coach is in storage, so running the AC is not an option unless we install solar equipment.

I live in AZ, and my FW is in the sun every day. One of the first things you'll notice is that exterior plastic parts start to show damage first. Usually in a year or two. Items such as vent covers, Stove vent flaps, etc. will get brittle and crack. I eliminated this by painting them with Krylon spray paint for plastic in gloss white. Once I did this, I didn't see any more sun damage. After the plastic parts, the decals on the body don't do well either. They have a tendency to get brittle and peel on the edges. If I see one starting to peel, I take a razor blade and trim it very carefully. In most cases, you can't even see this. Next to experience problems were the tires. I put on 303 every month or two, and keep them covered. Other than my spare which was exposed to a southern exposure every day, my tires have fared well. I tried covering the whole unit with one of those after market covers, but I gave up on it. It was difficult to put on and remove, looked bad, and made it difficult to leave on a spur of the moment trip.As for the inside of the rig, we've never really had any heat related issues at all. By and large, the unit is holding up very well for six years sitting in the sun.

I use Aerospace #303 on everything due to it has UV Protectant in it and is very easy to use. I was in AZ. 7 months last year and not the summer months. If I was in AZ. during the Summer months I would flat out consider covered storage either buy a house that had covered storage, for around $200.00 a month at a storage place or buy a good sun reflective RV cover. IMHO

I store mine in the garage with the cooler running :BHowever my trailer has to stay outside. Like has been said already the plastic is the one of the first to go along with any unpainted wood. Glues, calking, and seals will dry out and harden. Painted surfaces will fade and gel coat will oxidize. In my opinion, the tires are really an issue. For the last 9 years keeping them covered, I average a set of tires ever 2 years on the trailer. I will have one come apart so I replace all of them. On the last set I removed them and put them in the garage. We'll see if that helps.It's just better all around to store inside in the summer.

Yep, the sun and heat are tough on equipment stored outside here. All good suggestions above. Make a note to put a 5 gal bucket of water in your unit to keep more moisture in the air. I believe it helps prevent interior wood from cracking, particularly glued joints.

Tires need to be changed every five years. They start getting sun rot if the coach is not used much on the road. If you use the coach at least once a month, it sure helps.I just changed the air conditioner covers at ten years. The paint job on my coach still looks like the day I bought it ten years ago, so I guess I either got a good paint job or maybe the dry wash that I use helps keeping the paint in good condition. I use The Solution to wash my coach. I do not live in Arizona, but I do live in Barstow which gets up to 110 in the summer.

Arizona sun & heat | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

TucsonJim
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2013
I live in AZ, and my FW is in the sun every day. One of the first things you'll notice is that exterior plastic parts start to show damage first. Usually in a year or two. Items such as vent covers, Stove vent flaps, etc. will get brittle and crack. I eliminated this by painting them with Krylon spray paint for plastic in gloss white. Once I did this, I didn't see any more sun damage.

After the plastic parts, the decals on the body don't do well either. They have a tendency to get brittle and peel on the edges. If I see one starting to peel, I take a razor blade and trim it very carefully. In most cases, you can't even see this.

Next to experience problems were the tires. I put on 303 every month or two, and keep them covered. Other than my spare which was exposed to a southern exposure every day, my tires have fared well.

I tried covering the whole unit with one of those after market covers, but I gave up on it. It was difficult to put on and remove, looked bad, and made it difficult to leave on a spur of the moment trip.

As for the inside of the rig, we've never really had any heat related issues at all. By and large, the unit is holding up very well for six years sitting in the sun.

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Arizona sun & heat

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