The summer is something that vanlifers look forward to all year. The sun shining early mornings and spectacular landscapes are what keep attracting them. However, living in a van when it is hot outside is unsettling and often results in sunburns. So, it is important to know how to keep van cool in summer.
To beat the summer heat in a van, you must seek out cooler spots. Simultaneously, airflow inside the van should be maximized using a fan and window vents. If that’s not enough, investing in a portable AC unit can also be an option. Besides, choosing outdoor cooking and setting up an awning can reduce the inner temperature. Finally, while obvious, staying hydrated and conserving energy should not be overlooked.
In this article, we will have a deep discussion on these above-mentioned measures to get a cool camper van. Keep reading to enjoy the vanlife during the summer without the pain of heat.
Van Life in Hot Weather: How to Keep Van Cool in Summer
You should get yourself completely ready for the summer heat if this is your first summer driving a campervan. In order to ease up this preparation, here are a few suggestions for remaining cool while residing in a van during hot weather:
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Plan to Stay in Cooler Areas
If you are a full-time vanlifer without a location-dependent job, the best way to keep cool and enjoy summer is to avoid extremely hot areas. For example, in the summer, temperatures in southern California, Florida, Texas, and Arizona can reach dangerously high levels. It is, therefore, preferable to avoid these areas. When the weather drops into the 70s in the winter, these locations become much more appealing.
On the contrary, areas like Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska should be considered if at all possible. The summer months are the best time to visit these breathtaking locations. You can take advantage of the pleasant weather in these areas to enjoy the city by visiting the park, shopping at local shops, or hiking in the mountains.
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Install a Fan
No matter the season, it is always a good idea to install vent fans in your campervan to ensure proper ventilation. An effective campervan fan allows air to circulate freely. It prevents hot, stagnant air from becoming trapped inside the vehicle. Consequently, the interior becomes much cooler than the outside temperature.
However, if you want your conversion van fan to stay on even when it is raining, get one with a rain cover. Besides, if the fan comes with a remote control, that’s an added perk.
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Use Window Vents
You can open the front windows to allow more air circulation and fresh air into the van without fully opening the door. This is especially helpful if you would rather not draw attention to yourself. However, if you happen to be in a region prone to mosquitoes or flies, that would be concerning. Those pesky little pests will have no trouble finding their way inside. In this case, window vents can be a wonderful accessory.
Window vents are window coverings designed to fit snugly into the upper third of your driver’s and passenger’s side windows. They let air circulate inside the van without letting bugs in. At the same time, they also effectively prevent unwanted individuals from reaching in and stealing your belongings. It is a fantastic choice for those who live in vans during seasons when ventilation is essential.
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Buy a Portable AC Unit
The use of portable air conditioners has been on the rise in recent years. Until recently, air conditioning units for vans were either not available or mounted on top of the vehicle. These days, portable ac for van is becoming more and more accessible. They are a terrific choice for people living in vans during hot weather.
If you want to add a little air conditioning to your van during the hot summer months, a portable unit is a good choice. A portable air conditioner is also a good option for keeping your pet cool while traveling.
You do not have to worry about installation because you can always add an in-roof AC unit to a van. Just remember the amount of solar energy you have and the power it will consume.
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Avoid Cooking
The inside of your campervan will get much hotter if you use the stove or oven while the weather is hot outside. So, it’s best to skip the meals that call for cooking or reheating. When you are out enjoying van life in the heat, try making pasta, salads, sandwiches, and other heat-independent meals.
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Stay Outside the Van as Much as Possible
Summer is the perfect time for most people who live in vans to take advantage of their desire to spend more time outdoors, enjoying life! Every day, try to get some fresh air to reduce the load on the van’s air conditioner. Find a nice park with plenty of shade to relax or do some work.
If you don’t carry any pets, you can consider dining at a local establishment to show your support for small businesses.
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Install an Awning
When you are out in the open, it can be quite difficult to locate any kind of shade on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) property. A lot of the roads go through barren, desert landscapes or across extremely open terrain devoid of any trees. In these circumstances, a campervan awning is ideal for those who enjoy working in the great outdoors.
However, finding the awning of a highly-rated, fantastic brand must be your top priority. The awning should be light, long enough, and easy for one person to crank.
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Insulate Your Van for Summer
Insulating your van is a good idea if you want to keep the inside cool on hot summer days. Of course, you would have planned this ahead of time before completing your build. But if you didn’t plan this, don’t worry. There are methods to deal with the heat after construction, such as adding insulation on top.
If you want to keep your camper van cool in the summer when the sun is scorching, drape appropriate shades over each window. With the sun’s rays reflected off the shades, the temperature inside the van will be significantly reduced. To get some shade, you can either buy pre-made window shades or make your own.
While you sleep, the shades should effectively block the light, and when it is hot, they should block out the heat as well. The shades also need to stay on the windows even when they are folded up and held in place with strong magnets, even on the roughest roads.
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Park in the Shade
When you park your van in a shaded area, you will not believe how much of a difference the temperature readings make. However, if you can, try not to park in paved areas. Paved areas can soak up and hold onto heat, making them much hotter than the rest of the environment. The heat from the ground can make the inside of your van warmer if you park it on a paved surface. So, instead, look for places with trees for shade and gravel or dirt to stop heat from reflecting off of them. A mountain, a lake, or just being outside in nature will be the best place. If that is not possible, look for parks with lots of shade.
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Stay Hydrated
Summer is a great time to forget to stay hydrated. It is common for people to forget to drink water while working, playing, or swimming in lakes outside. However, drinking plenty of water is one way to stay cool and healthy.
A first step towards being hydrated is having an excellent water system. If the water tastes good, you will definitely drink more of it when you are in need.
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Turn off Your Inverter during Van Life in Hot Weather
When living in a van, if possible, turn off your inverter for a while. The inverter is convenient, but it will quickly cause your van to get hot. On top of that, try to avoid using high voltage electronics; that can be your laptop. Just like your inverter, your laptop generates a considerable amount of heat, particularly when charging.
Conclusion
The first step towards keeping your van cool during summer is to avoid extremely hot areas like southern California and Texas. Instead, visiting cooler places like Northern California and Alaska is a viable option. Besides, installing vent fans for ventilation and using window vents to let air in without bugs are both excellent ideas for internal cooling.
Aside from that, cooking meals that don’t need heating can significantly reduce the generated heat. Furthermore, making clever modifications such as shades and parking in a non-paved zone can greatly aid in combating the extreme heat.
The idea of beating the heat of hot summers should be kept in mind as the van is being built. When top professionals, like Highland Vans, build your van, they will naturally design it to keep you cool in the summer. Our highly skilled employees build each project with great care in our advanced manufacturing facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Contact us today to get a van conversion that fits every weather condition.
