Here are our tips to on how to enjoy pitching up when the temperature soars
Our summers are getting hotter and that means we have to get better at adapting to them, and staying both safe and comfortable.
Over the years I’ve been pitched up in all manner of camping units – from the smallest tents to the biggest motorhomes – and everything in between. And in all weathers too, hot and cold.
Here are my top ten tips for keeping cool while pitched up in your campervan.
1: Keep a close eye on the weather forecast
Take heed of weather alerts and remember to pack things that will help keep you cool such as small fans like those you might find on a desk. USB-powered fans will also do a job. If you’re touring and you have a hot spell ahead of you, consider whether you want to head up into the mountains where it could be a little cooler, or seek out the offshore breeze of a coastal campsite. When set to a low temperature and tasked with just operating the fan, an onboard diesel heater can also be a good way to keep air circulating.
2: Seek shade part 1...
Think about where you can pitch, such as at a location where a tree provides shade. Remember the sun will shift position too, so if you can, consider the best spot where you will stay in the shade for longer. Factor in where the breeze is coming from, and the prevailing wind direction too since the wind shifts direction, because that may influence how you position the campervan in relation to the habitation door to get airflow coming in.
3: ...and seek shade part 2
Use your wind-out awning to maximise shade on your pitch. If you have accessories like an inflatable campervan awning, open the doors but keep the flyscreens shut to keep out the bugs. I’ve also always found ‘tarps’, or tarpaulins, to be really handy pieces of kit since they pack away small yet can be used in many different ways. In this instance, I would look to use one to create additional shaded spaces using tarp poles. Telescopic poles pack away easily too to save space.
You can also use the curtains or van shades fitted to your CamperKing campervan to block out the hot day's sunshine.
4: Use a custom-fit insulation cover
I have one for my campervan that I use year-round on the windscreen and cab windows, not just to keep in the warmth when it gets chilly but to help keep out the heat in the summer too. It also helps to close the interior blinds during the day to keep out the heat and sunlight. Yes, I lose some light inside my van as a result – but it’s worth it. CamperKing campervans (both T6 and T7 models) have custom-fit window blinds for the cab area available via our shop.
5: Open up the safari rooftop tent
All CamperKing campervans built on the Transporter T7 have a safari rooftop tent that maximises ventilation up top, as well as giving a great place to chill and watch the world go by. If your campervan doesn’t have one, still ensure the air vents are open as hot air rises and it can escape from the van.
6: Seek out cooler spots
While pitching up on a campsite in the Vosges Mountains in France, my buddy and I were feeling the heat. Luckily, our pitches were close to a very shallow stream, so we put our camping chairs into the water, accepted that our sandals were going to get wet, and chilled in a shaded spot while the cold water flowed over our feet. Bliss!
7: Take it easy
Yes, you’re on holiday but remember to take it steady in hot weather. Stay hydrated with water, apply sunscreen, and wear lose-fitting clothes together with a hat and sunglasses.
8: Ditch the duvet (but keep the cover)
It may sound obvious, but I find removing the duvet and just using my duvet cover at night always helps. I then neatly roll up the duvet itself and keep it at the foot of my campervan’s bed so that if it does get a bit chilly during the night, it’s easy to pull it back over myself.
9: Take frozen water
If you plan ahead, you can pre-freeze an insulated bottle or three containing water (or even milk for your camping trip), which will slowly defrost. If you then keep the bottle in the campervan’s fridge, it will also help the fridge and its contents by lowering the ambient temperature inside. It’s worth keeping an eye on the fridge’s battery consumption as the compressor will be working harder in the heat.
10: Remember to be a good camper
Keep an eye out for each other and your neighbours, not forgetting pets too. And if you’ve got enough shade without using your tarp, for example, you might want to lend it to someone else.
