Whether it’s a summer vacation in southern Europe or the height of summer in Germany: temperatures above 30 degrees not only make us sweat, but also our camping vehicles. We are currently on the road again with our caravan and have compiled our best strategies from many heatwaves for you. It’s not just about technology such as air conditioning, but also about many simple tricks that can be implemented immediately.
Pitch selection: Shade is worth its weight in gold
When choosing our locations, we always try to make sure that we get a spot under trees, by hedges or right by the water. It is usually noticeably cooler there, and there is often a pleasant breeze, especially in the evening. Larger plants also provide
The orientation of the vehicle also makes a noticeable difference: the side with the most and/or largest windows should not face south if possible. If there is no natural shade, we extend our awning and hang up additional cloths to provide shade if necessary.
Tip
With sun position apps such as Sun Surveyor you can check the position of the sun on your desired plot as soon as you arrive and align your vehicle optimally.
Darken & reflect windows
We have fitted all the windows in the camper van with thermal mats (ours are from Project Camper and we are absolutely delighted with them). These mats usually consist of several insulating layers and also have a reflective film. They can be attached with suction cups or magnets. If you opt for a more expensive model, they are customized to the dimensions and shape of your front and side windows, so they fit perfectly.
Tinted windows are installed in our caravan, which keep out some of the sun’s rays. The windows on the shady side are opened alternately during the day and shaded with additional cloths if necessary. To do this, we simply attach dark beach towels with clothespins – in extreme cases we wet them to benefit from the evaporative cooling.
We keep the roof hatches closed during the day in summer, and if the heat gets really bad, we cover them with makeshift rescue blankets or aluminum foil and fix them with masking tape. The blackout blinds inside should not be kept permanently closed if possible, as the heat can build up behind them. It is better to open them a little so that air can circulate behind them.
Ventilate correctly
Our ventilation routine has proved its worth: At night, we usually leave the windows open a little, and when we get up, we open everything, including the roof hatches and door. This way, we get a nice breath of cool morning air into the vehicle. During the day, we then consistently keep everything that is directly exposed to the sun closed. Only windows on the shady side remain slightly open and partially darkened. As soon as the shade moves, it is also very efficient to open the opposite windows to create a little draught.
Electronic helpers: fans & co.
In particular, small USB table fans can also provide noticeable refreshment. They hardly need any electricity and create a pleasant air circulation. Special roof hatch fans should also be particularly helpful. These draw the hot air and the often oppressive humidity outwards. We don’t have such a professional model ourselves, but we once bought a cheap little fan from a discount store (I think it was ALDI), which happened to fit exactly into one of the HeKis in our Fendt caravan.
Air conditioning: Efficient, but not quite cheap
We thought long and hard about whether it was worth having air conditioning. In the end, we decided to go for it because of our dog, but we only use it very, very occasionally out of consideration for our camping neighbors and also for environmental reasons – when it gets really unbearable and we have to work in the caravan, for example.
Alternatively, there are also so-called “split air conditioners” for camping, which are simply hung in a window. One part of the device is located inside and one outside. The cooling capacity is probably quite ok, but cannot be compared with a “real” compressor air conditioner.
Air conditioners, regardless of their design, are of course always power guzzlers and the constant operating noise can be quite annoying – even with modern models. The purchase and installation costs as well as the weight of built-in appliances should also not be underestimated. That’s why you should consider whether a simple fan or an inexpensive floor-standing air conditioner would be more than adequate before making a purchase.
attention
Many air conditioning systems do not switch back on automatically after an interruption in the power supply. This could be fatal if the power goes off for a short time and pets are alone in the vehicle. This happened to us once and it was only by good luck that we didn’t have a catastrophe. Since then, our dog has never been left unattended in the caravan.
If you still intend to do this, I would definitely advise you to purchase electronic aids (surveillance camera, sensors, etc.) and always stay within reach of the parking space so that you can react quickly in an emergency.
Protect pets
On hot days, dogs can overheat very quickly as they do not sweat like humans. This is why their well-being needs to be monitored particularly closely. Fortunately, our dog is quite insensitive to heat, but we still make sure she cools down regularly (moistening her coat with water, lying in the shade, using a damp towel or a cooling mat if necessary).
Relieve the fridge
Our absorption refrigerator has been pushed to the limit a few times in midsummer – compressor models are much more robust and less dependent on outside temperatures.
One way to reduce the load on the classic absorbers and make them more efficient is to install a fan at the rear. I believe that some manufacturers even allow this to be configured ex works. If the sun shines strongly on the refrigerator side, a reflective mat can also be useful.
Well-being for you
I’m actually a real sun person and only really blossom in temperatures above 25 degrees. Nevertheless, when it’s very hot and especially on days with particularly high humidity, I notice that heavy meals don’t agree with me or that I simply don’t have an appetite for something “hearty”. The following foods are particularly good for me, some of which come from my second home country of Mexico (where, as you know, it can get really hot):
- Cucumber pieces with salt and lime juice – alternative: cucumber salad with yogurt-garlic-lemon dressing
- Lemon water with a little sugar or agave syrup
- “Aguas Frescas”: Pureed fruit, generously infused with still water and sweetened with sugar or agave syrup if required. Can be made with almost any type of fruit – just shake well before drinking 🙂 – In Mexico, aguas are served with ice cubes, but you should actually opt for lukewarm drinks in hot weather.
- Raw vegetables with a little salt and chili powder
- And my absolute favorite summer dessert at the moment: low-fat yogurt with mashed banana, a handful of dark grated chocolate and a dash of agave or coconut syrup
We have developed our very own routine for hot days. We cook either very early in the morning or in the evening – or outside. Cold dishes such as salads, yogurt with fruit or sandwiches always work. Instead of ice-cold lemonade, we like to drink lukewarm tea, which is better for our circulation. A cool shower with mint oil is our evening highlight. And if it gets really bad, we briefly put our sleep shirts in the fridge. This ensures pleasantly cool dreams.
Light colors, cool roof?
It is often said that light vehicle or vehicle roof colors are a great advantage because they reflect more sunlight. To be honest, we can’t really confirm this from our own experience. If a car or camper is parked in the sun for a longer period of time, it doesn’t really matter whether it is light or dark, in my opinion.
The decisive factor is certainly how well the vehicle is insulated overall and how effectively windows and roof hoods are shielded. Large surfaces such as windscreens or roof hatches in particular quickly turn the interior into a sauna. It is therefore much more effective to cover these heat ingress gates as meticulously as possible – whether from the inside or outside.
You can also take a look at whether a reflective roof coating could be something for you (e.g. CoolDry paint). This is supposed to reduce the temperature by several degrees. However, we haven’t had any personal experience with this yet, so I can’t tell you from personal experience whether it really works.
I hope my little tips and tricks have helped you – how do you deal with the heat when you’re out and about? Do you have any other survival ideas? Then share them in the comments!
And now: keep cool and enjoy the beautiful days!
Cover picture: © CamperStyle
