Don’t let the heat spoil your summer fun. Here are our 10 tips to keep your caravan cool and comfortable on hot days.
Summer means one thing for most Aussies: hitting the great outdoors. And what better way to explore a country’s stunning landscapes and beautiful coastlines than by a caravan or motorhome?
Caravanning is fast becoming the preferred choice for Australians on how to spend their holidays, especially during the hotter months. In 2022, Aussies clocked in a whopping 60.9 million caravan journeys across the country, marking a massive 20% jump from last year.
But anyone who’s experienced an Aussie summer knows the heat is no joke. During heatwaves, summer temperatures in some areas of the country can reach dangerously high levels.
Recently, residents in Perth CBD recently faced scorching temperatures reaching up to 41.3C, while Sydneysiders endured sweltering heat of up to 37C.
If you’re dealing with extreme heat while caravanning, here are our top tips to reduce it and keep your caravan as cool as possible.
10 ways to keep your caravan cool in hot weather
The main trick to keeping a caravan cool in summer is finding the perfect balance between ventilation, shade, and minimising heat buildup. Here are the ways to do it:
1. Choose the right campsite
Location, location, location. You’re probably familiar with this mantra when you’re talking to a real estate agent about a potential new home, but this also applies when you’re choosing the next place to set up camp while caravanning.
Park near or under trees
Whenever pitching up, park your caravan in a spot which is shaded by nearby trees.
If you’re parking under a large tree, make sure to park on the western side, so you will have shade during the hottest times of the day.
Also, be wary about parking near gum trees, as they’re known for dropping large branches without warning.
Pitch up your caravan near a body of water
When you’re camping, try to set up your caravan in the shade near a body of water if you can. The ground and air temperature are generally a few degrees lower near bodies of water, which can help keep reduce the heat in your caravan. Plus, you can take a dip or splash around to stay cool!
For example, parking near a coastline can often be cooler, as sinking air and high pressure over water creates ‘sea breeze’ that will improve the ventilation in your caravan.
Park in higher and cooler locations
Choosing a spot at a higher elevation can help reduce your caravan’s temperature during the summer months. As altitude increases, generally temperature drops due to air pressure and water vapour content.
Another tip for beating the heat in your caravan this summer is avoiding the areas that tend to have high temperatures altogether! During the warmer months, consider locations like Tasmania, where the average temperature hovers around 20-25 degrees Celsius during summer.
2. Improve air flow and ventilation in your caravan
Having good air circulation and ventilation can significantly help in keeping your caravan cool and comfortable.
Open your windows to improve the airflow
One trick is to open the highest windows in your caravan while keeping the blinds closed. As hot air rises, keeping these windows open will let the heat escape the small confined space during the hottest times of the day.
Opening the windows on the opposing side of your caravan also provides some nice breeze during hot weather while preventing the formation of mold-causing condensation during the early hours.
Be strategic with your caravan’s orientation
Another simple way to improve airflow in your caravan is to position your rig with the wind direction.
Check local weather conditions where you are traveling and try to position your rig to take advantage of wind patterns.
You can also improve the ventilation in your caravan by opening vents or hatches, including the ones in the pop top skirt.
Add window films/ tint to prevent the sun and UV rays entering
If you have no choice but to keep your windows closed, consider having your windows tinted to block out the sun. But make sure to check your state’s regulation before you get this work on your caravan done!
If you’re keeping your windows open, it’s ideal to have a bug screen that will help keep insects as well as dust and debris outside, where they should be.
3. Install an air conditioner
For those who don’t put a price tag on comfort and are not really believers of doing it tough, an air conditioner can be a godsend during the hottest summer days.
Installing an air conditioning unit can be an expensive investment, but it’s a fool-proof way to keep your caravan home cool.
To set up an air conditioner in your caravan, you will need a generator or a battery pack to help power it. If you don’t have a rooftop top air conditioner on your caravan, there are ‘under bunk’ air conditioners available that can be retrofitted into your rig.
Remember to keep the doors and windows closed when using the AC so the heat from outside is not getting in.
If you can’t afford a traditional AC unit, consider a portable air conditioning unit as a budget-friendly alternative.
Portable ACs are versatile, easy to install, and can effectively cool down your caravan without the need for complex setups or expensive installations.
It’s a good alternative to air conditioning, as it offers flexibility in placement, allowing you to move them around as needed to target specific areas for cooling.
Additionally, many portable air conditioner units are energy-efficient, helping you keep your caravan cool without putting too much strain on your power supply.
4. Use a portable fan
While using the air conditioner is the most effective way to keep a caravan cooler, it can be pricey. Keeping it running for several hours can quickly drain your battery, unless you choose to stay plugged in at a caravan park all day.
For a more cost-effective and energy efficient option, consider using portable fans instead to reduce the heat in your caravan. Another option is to use portable fans in addition to your AC set on low.
Using fans will also help cold air circulating in your caravan rather than dropping or settling on the ground.
Additionally, fans use around just 1% of the electricity consumed by ACs. In fact, you could leave a fan running for a full 24 hours and still use less energy than 15 minutes of air conditioning.
5. Insulate walls, windows and doors
Proper insulation can help you lower the temperature in your caravan on hot summer days.
Insulation acts like a barrier against outside temperatures, preventing heat from penetrating your caravan’s walls, roof, and floor.
Without insulation, the heat from the sun can easily make the inside of your caravan feel uncomfortably hot like an oven.
While people think that insulation is only useful during winter, it’s also helpful during summer. Most modern caravans are built with roof and wall insulation that helps to regulate the temperature by keeping it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
If you’re planning to buy a new caravan, make sure to check the insulation before you sign the dotted line.
If you’re custom-building or upgrading your caravan with better fixtures, ensure proper insulation in both the roof and walls. This helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside by preventing heat from outside from seeping in.
6. The right bedding makes a difference
Having trouble sleeping at night due to the heat? Opt for breathable cotton bed sheets and a light, summer duvet to get a restful night.
If the heat becomes unbearable, you can try cooling down by soaking a bed sheet in cold water and giving it a quick spin in a washing machine or hanging it on a washing line. This provides an ultimate cooling cover for bedtime, helping you stay comfortable during the night.
7. Use external shade awnings
When it comes to protection from ultraviolet light (UV), awnings are your first line of defence.
External awnings can drastically reduce the amounts of heat in your caravan, as they create shade around the outside of your vehicle and block direct sunlight from entering through windows or doors.
Having awnings fitted to the side of your vehicle also gives you options to sit outside in the shade if the temperature gets too hot inside your caravan.
8. Cook outside when possible
When you’re cooking in your caravan, try to do it outside as much as possible.
Use your outdoor grills and BBQs whenever you can. But if you have to cook inside, just make sure to keep the doors and windows open to let the heat out.
By cooking outside, you will prevent the build-up of heat inside the vehicle and also keeps things clean.
9. Use reflective paint on your roof
This special paint helps to bounce off the sun’s rays, helping to keep the interior of your caravan cooler.
It’s like giving your caravan a sun-blocking shield that can prevent your vehicle’s ceiling from heating up, so you can stay comfortable inside even on the hottest days.
Plus, it’s a simple DIY project that can make a big difference in how much heat your caravan absorbs. So, grab a paintbrush and get ready to beat the heat!
10. Turn off your appliances when not in use
Keep your caravan cool by using appliances sparingly and switching them off when they’re not in use. Also, consider switching to LED or incandescent bulbs, as they produce less heat compared to other types.
Final thoughts
While you can’t control the sun, there are measures you can take to help your caravan stay cooler when the temperature rises.
You might not always win against the heat, but you can definitely lessen its impact on your trip.
So, soak in the Aussie views without letting the scorching temps ruin your vibe. Keep cool, stay safe, and make those caravan memories unforgettable!
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