Extreme heat is no joke. Sustaining high temperatures for extended periods of time can lead to heat exhaustion, and possibly death.
For your safety, it’s important to have a thermometer in your van and keep track of the general temperature.
Mix & match some of the following cool solutions to survive the heat!
USE GEOGRAPHY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Move with the weather. Choose a destination that won’t exceed 100 F (37 C). Your home is on wheels so the obvious solution is to move where the weather is more suitable. Places (in the US) like Alaska, NorCal, Oregon, & Washington are great in the summer, although a tad crowded.
This isn’t always a viable option for everyone, especially if you have a more stationary job or are watching your gas budget. Coastal areas & destinations with higher elevations will offer cooler temperatures.
COOL YOUR BODY DOWN
Rule #1: STAY HYDRATED! (with H2O)
Rule #2: USE SUNSCREEN! (Sunburn is not funburn)
It’s important to understand where your body’s cooling points are. These cooling points are generally places where your pulse can be taken such as your neck and wrists. A few honorable mentions are the insides of your elbows and knees, inner thighs, and your temples. Place materials, like a cold washcloth, on these cooling points to get better results than places like your forehead.
Wear a wet shirt or wrap up in a wet blanket and sit in front of a fan (the general equivalent of putting your undies in the freezer). Wrap a wet bandana with an ice pack and place it on your neck. Take a cold shower. Cuddle a frozen water bottle. You could also mist yourself with a spray bottle of ice water. Find inventive ways to cool yourself down and comment below to help out your fellow survivans!
Eat cold foods such as smoothies, frozen drinks, and of course drink LOTS of ice water! Stay away from warm heavy foods and meats, try a refreshing salad or smoothie bowl. Obviously, don’t add to the heat by cooking in the van. Try eating many hours before bed as digestion makes your body produce heat.
STAY OUT OF THE VAN
One of the greatest joys of van life is being able to spend lots of time outdoors & experience the world. Spend as little time in the van as you can, especially during the sun’s peak hours (anywhere from 10A-6P). Get your day started early, before 8 am, to avoid waking up in a puddle of sweat.
Visit public pools, shops, restaurants, beaches, libraries, shade-abundant parks, or pretty much anywhere with air conditioning. Fill your day with fun activities until the sun goes down. Budget more money and time for going out to eat. Bring your devices to a local restaurant and get some work done or learn something new!
Pro Tip: Tell the host you’re going to hang out for a while to work (to avoid placing you with a server that should be getting off early but would have to wait for you). You can also request a table with an outlet & charge your gadgets.
Staying out of the van also includes not using or charging electronics in the van. Running electronics creates more heat.
PARK IN THE SHADE
Park your van in the shade during the hottest parts of the day whether you’re planning on staying in it or not. Keeping the temperature as low as possible will help later in the day.
*Make sure you consider the effect this will have on your solar system. Solar panels can provide a bit of shade to the van as well.
AIRFLOW
Open all available doors and windows for air circulation. If your van has no windows, you can add a vent to the bottom of your van to pull cool air up. Make sure you add mosquito netting to your open windows to keep unwanted pests away.
A/C
Running A/C in a van is definitely not an easy task. You either need a LOT of battery power (generator), or you can plug into shore power somewhere like an RV park.
Truck drivers recommend an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), but from my research, they would be a bit inconvenient and large.
A/C also creates moisture so you’ll need to keep an eye out for mold and mildew.
A popular vanlife A/C recommendation is the Zero Breeze Air Conditioner.
11 Best Portable Air Conditioners for Cars and Trucks to Buy in 2021 – BeaCar
BUILT-IN FANS/VENTS
Heat rises, so installing a fan on the roof of your vehicle will suck out the hot air and hopefully pump in a fresh breeze. If possible, install 2 two-way vent fans that have both intake & exhaust options. Set each fan on opposite settings so that one is pushing the hot air out and the other is pulling cool air in. Keep climate in mind and get a vent fan that features a cover in case of rain.
Maxx-Air is currently the most popular choice among vanlifers, with the Fantastic Fan coming in 2nd. You’ll also need a power setup such as solar to run one of these built-in fans.
Before cutting anything, consider the placement of your solar panels & roof ribs. You will need to cut a 14×14 hole. Make sure you install your built-in fan correctly or you’ll risk leakage and permanent roof damage. Using a grinder when installing often throws sparks as well so make sure there is nothing that will catch fire nearby, including cloth inside the van!
How To Install A Vent Fan In A Van – Parked In Paradise
Which roof vent should I choose?
Maxx-Air is the most popular option because it is quiet, has a built-in rainguard, and is fairly low profile
Best Roof Vent Fan For RV And Camper Van Conversions – Parked In Paradise
The Best RV Vent Fans and Covers –
Best RV Roof Vent Guide For 2021 – Camp Addict
FANS
Portable fans are a great option to help cool you down. There are so many to choose from both USB-powered and battery-powered. You can also plug the USB-powered versions into a backup charger if you don’t want to drain your vehicle’s battery. For an extra burst of cool air, put a bucket of ice behind your fan.
The “My FoldAway Rechargeable Fan” from Walmart comes highly recommended in the vanlife groups
If you’re trying to be stealthy, choose a fan that isn’t very loud.
If you happen to have a sunroof, you can pop it open to help the hot air escape. Adding a couple of fans by the windows to pull cool air in can also help.
You can also drive around with the windows fully open for a bit before heading to bed to help drop the temperature.
EVAPORATIVE “SWAMP” COOLER
Disclaimer: For hot, dry climates only!
A Swamp Cooler is essentially a cooler filled with ice and a fan to create an icy breeze. These coolers work better in a dry climate as they add humidity to the air. These won’t make a huge difference in temperature, but it is definitely something to try if your dry heat is unbearable.
You can buy a swamp cooler or build one yourself. For DIY Swamp Coolers, use ice blocks rather than ice cubes, as they will last longer. Always combine this method with open windows to reduce condensation.
HUMIDITY & CONDENSATION
Humidity not only adds to the heat factor, but it can be destructive to a camper van. To combat this, you can add a dehumidifier to your setup. Again, you’ll need a good power setup for this.
Avoiding Condensation And Moisture Buildup In Your Van – Parked In Paradise
INSULATION
Insulation is key to regulating the temperature in your vehicle.
Use reflectix & sunshades on windows to keep heat out. Windows are heavily responsible for temperature changes in your vehicle. You can board those suckers up to keep the heat in or out, this will affect airflow, but if you can open your doors, it shouldn’t be too big of an issue.
Consider adding heat-blocking curtains to your setup as well.
HEAT REFLECTIVE PAINT
Darker colors will attract heat, so many people choose a white van (also for stealth).
Heating Up The Solar Reflective Paint Market – Performance Coatings Team
Solar Reflective Paints Can Make Your Car Cooler, Cleaner – Jeff Kart
New Super-Reflective Paint Is the Solution to Your Car’s Scorching Summertime Temperatures –
USE THE RIGHT BEDDING
The materials you use for your bedding and sheets will make a temperature difference when you’re trying to get some zzz’s. Find sheets with high thread counts that are smooth to touch. They will be cooler than thick materials like cotton or fleece, which are great for winter.
You can also purchase cooling mattresses, pillows, and sheet sets.
LAUNDRY DAY
Personally, on super hot days, I like to do laundry. You get a bit of a break from the heat of the van and instead of paying to dry your clothes you can hang them in various spots around the van. I promise they dry quickly when it’s hot. This works especially well for sheets and towels.
The cool, wet cloth makes a small difference in the temperature, but hey, every degree counts.
GET USED TO THE HEAT
No matter what measures you take, hot it hot. Unless you are running an A/C you can only really cool down enough to match the outside temperature. You can take measures to make it more bearable, but your best bet is to follow the changing weather & use geography to your advantage.
Stay hydrated folks, & Safe Travels!
MORE RESOURCES
Tips And Tricks To Stay Cool In A Van During Summer – Parked In Paradise
SUMMER VANLIFE: HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAMPER COOL IN SUMMER – Always the Adventure
