How To Keep Your Motorhome or Campervan Cool In A Heatwave

• 28th Jun 2018

Though the UK summer can be variable at best, there are some times when the heat can be staggering – yes, even in the British Isles. Climate change means that our summers are often heating up and extreme weather events like heat waves are becoming ever more common. Camping can be a wonderful way to enjoy the sunshine and the warmth – but how to you stop your motorhome or campervan from becoming too hot? The last thing you want is to have a hot, sticky night when you are away from home. Here are some tips to help you keep your motorhome or campervan cool in a heatwave, or when you are travelling abroad in a hot country:

Park in the Shade

If you unexpectedly find yourself camping out and about in a motorhome or campervan in high temperatures, you may well be unable to add any extra features. All you can really do to keep down the temperatures inside your camping vehicle is to position yourself in an area with as much shade as possible. Try to camp beneath trees, or on the northern side of a building, in order to get out of the sun as much as possible.

It is better, however, to plan ahead for heatwave camping. Here are some of the measures that you could consider taking to improve the performance and comfort levels of your vehicle in hot weather:

Improve Insulation

Better insulation on your campervan or motorhome will not only allow you to use your vehicle more comfortably in winter – it will also help to keep you cooler in the summer too. Consider adding better insulation to the inside of your vehicle, where possible, to make camping more comfortable throughout the whole year.

Use External or Internal Thermal Blinds

In hot weather, the sun's rays will quickly heat up the inside of your camping vehicle. Solar gain will be increased more where there is a high amount of glazing. Try not to park with windows facing south, which will increase the passive solar gain. The best way, however, to cut down on solar gain is to cover your glazing with external or internal thermal blinds. External thermal blinds generally cut out the sun and reduce condensation much better than the internal versions, so are definitely something to consider.

Improve Air Flow With A Fan

You can also aid cooling by improving air flow in your motorhome or campervan. You can assist air flow with a portable fan – there are many excellent examples on the market – or consider a built-in option, which can be built into your roof-light. These options will usually be more expensive, but will come with extraction capabilities, thermostats and speed controls.

Consider Adding an Air Conditioner

If you are often too hot in your motorhome or campervan, you could consider adding an air conditioner. This is the most expensive cooling option but will keep you cool and comfortable in even the most extreme of temperatures. There are two main types of air conditioner for campervans and motorhomes – under bench air conditioners and roof-mounted air conditioners. Shop around to find the best option for the model and make of your camping vehicle.