How can you keep your caravan cool during the warmer months?
Summer is quickly approaching. For many, that means lots more camping trips. But how can you keep your van cool during the warmer months? Here’s some handy ideas to help you keep those temperatures manageable.
- Choose your site wisely
- Camp close to water – you’ll generally find that there will be a breeze coming off it
- Camp with a shady tree to the West of your setup – that way you have some shade during the afternoon
- Optimise the air flow in your van
- Open doors, windows, roof vents and hatches in the cooler hours – especially when the sun starts to sink – to let out any hot air that may be accumulating
- If you are in a pop-top, ensure that it is open as well
- However, during the middle of the day, keeping these shut may help keep the warm air out
- Install fly and midge screens (if not already installed) – this will allow you to keep airflow circulating at nighttime too
- Consider ways to minimise heat generation within the van
- Change light bulbs to LED – these generate much less heat compared to conventional bulbs
- Pull down the blinds and close the curtains while sun is shining directly into your van
- Cook outside – Summer is the time for BBQ’s anyway!
- Charge your electronics at a café or library or during the cooler hours of the day
- Minimise use of your TV – these tend to generate a lot of heat, so rather than watch TV inside the van at night, take yourself outside and enjoy some stargazing instead
- Do you have an awning?
- If so, keep it up.
- If you don’t, then consider having one installed. Talk to us for more information about your options.
- If this isn’t an option either, then maybe bring a portable gazebo that you can place close to the van for additional shade.
- Adjustable fans can also help keep the air flowing and the heat at bay. Many vans already have these, but if yours doesn’t, we highly recommend getting one installed. We can do this for you – just give us a call to discuss.
- Do you have an air conditioner? When the heat is unbearable these can be a god send!
- Already have a caravan air conditioner? When was the last time it was serviced? Have the filters and vents been recently cleaned? Doing all of this before your trip will mean that your unit is working at its best!
- Don’t have a caravan air conditioner? Do you know that in many cases we can retro fit it one for you? If you do a lot of summer camping, it may be worthwhile investing in one! Consider Harrier Lite for smaller vans or IBIS4 for larger vans.
- Have you heard of fridge shades? This is a must have accessory if you tend to travel by following the sun! It’s a shade that you place on the exterior of your van over the vent and area where your fridge is located. It’s literally a sunshade for your fridge.
- Awning side walls and sunshades are another great idea. They can provide shelter from the sun throughout the day – and the best thing is that they are moveable so you can change the position of them to maximise your shade.
- If you are travelling Australia, you can follow the seasons and plan your trips to climates that seem most comfortable to you. E.g. If you aren’t keen on heat and humidity, you can head North for the Winter and South for the Summer.
- Your van is going to be hottest during the middle of the day. If it’s too hot to bear, plan for activities outside or away from the van during these times. Some ideas are:
- Sitting in the shade of a tree
- Going for a swim
- Visiting a local library, cinema or shopping centre
- Enjoying a lovely lunch in a local café, pub or restaurant
Camping in Summer doesn’t have to be unbearable – and by utilising some of these tips you will be able to keep your cool so you can enjoy those glorious warm nights!