20 tips for staying cool in your van
Summer heat can quickly become a challenge in a converted vehicle, turning your mobile home into a veritable oven! Fortunately, there are plenty of tips to help you maintain a cool and comfortable environment and enjoy a cool road trip.
Here are 20 practical tips for beating the heat and maintaining a comfortable interior in your converted vehicle.
Strategic parking |
1. Park at higher altitudes
Temperatures naturally decrease at higher altitudes. Favor mountain roads or plateaus to sleep cooler and breathe lighter air, even during a heatwave.
2. Seek shade to reduce sun exposure
Shade is your best ally against the heat. Park under trees , in the woods , behind buildings or under a bridge to minimize direct sunlight on your campervan.
3. Look for water sources
Lakes , rivers , and seaside areas offer a more temperate microclimate. In addition to the natural coolness, you can cool off with a swim at the end of the day. Perfect for combining comfort and pleasure!
4. Point your vehicle in the direction of the wind
This will allow you to maximize natural ventilation . Use a weather app or a weather vane to know where the breeze is coming from. Orient the van's openings (doors, windows, skylights) towards the wind to maximize natural ventilation.
5. Park intelligently in relation to the sun
Park with the least exposed side of the windows facing the sun. Avoid exposing large glass areas to direct sunlight. Park with the windows facing north or position the most insulated areas facing direct light to keep the interior cooler.
6. Change location throughout the day
The sun is changing, move with it! A small shift in your van in the morning or afternoon can make all the difference in extending the shade on your vehicle.
7. Install an awning or outdoor tarp
Creating a shaded area outside helps keep the van walls cool. A reflective tarp or camping awning is ideal for limiting solar radiation.
Discover our awnings on our e-shop by clicking here !
Ventilation management |
8. Use portable fans or air conditioners
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Place a floor fan . This helps circulate cool air that has accumulated near the floor, where the temperature is usually lower.
Discover all our fans on our e-shop by clicking here !
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Portable air conditioners offer greater cooling power than fans , but they consume more energy. To use them efficiently, it is important to have a suitable battery pack.
9. Ventilate early in the morning and late in the evening
Take advantage of times when the outside air is cooler to renew the indoor air.
Create a draft . Open two windows on opposite sides to allow good air circulation.
Open the rear doors to encourage cross-ventilation . This can be particularly effective in shaded areas.
10. Install a rooftop air conditioner (or extractor fan)
Rooftop air conditioning is the most effective solution for quickly cooling the interior of a campervan, especially during hot weather. Some models also serve as a heater in winter , making them a good long-term investment. This type of equipment is specially designed for recreational vehicles and generally operates on 12V or 230V depending on the model. It can be used occasionally when you are plugged in while camping or with a sufficiently powerful battery.
Discover all our air conditioners on our e-shop by clicking here !
11. Install mosquito nets on all openings
To be able to leave the windows open at night without inviting mosquitoes to the party, consider installing mosquito nets on all the openings in your van (doors, windows, skylights).
They allow continuous ventilation while you sleep, while protecting you from insects. Ideal for spending cooler and more peaceful nights even in the great outdoors.
Thermal insulation |
12. Reinforce the insulation when fitting out the van
Good insulation is the foundation of a van that's comfortable to live in, both summer and winter. It limits heat exchange with the outside and stabilizes the interior temperature.
When fitting out your van, use high-performance thermal insulation (such as Armaflex, wood wool or expanded cork) for the walls, floor and especially the roof, which is particularly exposed to the sun.
Tip: Insulating correctly from the start allows you to gain comfort... and save energy.
13 . Install thermal curtains to limit the entry of light
They block the sun's rays and therefore the outside heat and maintain a cooler temperature inside. Exterior thermal curtains are more effective because they prevent the rays from reaching the glass and therefore heating the windows. It is therefore preferable to install them outside on the windshield and side windows.
| Practical side |
14. Choose cotton or linen seat covers
They help you stay cool while driving . In summer, the imitation leather or leather seats become real hot plates.
Seat covers made of natural materials such as cotton or linen absorb perspiration and remain cool against the skin . A small change that greatly improves comfort while driving, especially over long distances.
15. Use a mist sprayer
A simple water mist can turn a sweltering day into a pleasant one.
Spray water on your face, neck or arms for an immediate feeling of freshness.
Place it in the fridge or cooler before use for an even more intense effect!
16. Soak your feet in a basin of cool water
The body's extremities, such as the feet, play a vital role in thermal regulation. Submerging your feet in a basin of cool water can cool your entire body in just a few minutes.
Discover our basins on our e-shop by clicking here !
17. Prepare your meals outside
Cooking in the van can quickly raise the temperature. Boiling water or cooking a meal in a poorly ventilated van quickly turns the cabin into a sauna. Prepare your meals outside using a camping stove or portable barbecue , in the shade or under an awning. It's more pleasant and keeps your van cool for the night.
Discover our stoves and barbecues by clicking here !
18. Consider napping in a hammock
When it's too hot to stay in the van, nothing beats a nap suspended between two trees. A lightweight, compact hammock allows you to rest in the cool breeze, far from the heat accumulated inside.
Discover all our hammocks on our e-shop by clicking here !
19. Spend the day outside the van
Adopt the “smart nomad” lifestyle: when it gets too hot, escape the heat during the day . Museums, libraries, cinemas, or wooded parks are perfect refuges. Return to your van only at the end of the day, when temperatures naturally drop.
20. The winning combo: wet t-shirt + fan
Before going to sleep, put on a cool, damp T-shirt and direct a small fan over you. This simple method creates a natural, ultra-effective cooling effect on your body, even in very hot weather. A good compromise when you don't have air conditioning in your van.
Our conclusion: a cool road trip is possible! :)
When going on a road trip in a converted van in summer, it is important to take the necessary measures and equip yourself well to stay cool when the temperatures rise.
With these 20 tips for staying cool while traveling, you're ready to tackle the summer heat in your campervan without sacrificing comfort. Simple, often inexpensive, solutions can make all the difference during your adventures.
By combining these tips and tricks for staying cool in your campervan , you'll enjoy your trip without suffering from high temperatures.
