Beating the Heat – How to keep your motorhome cool in the summer

Whether you’re travelling in the hot temperatures of Europe or are experiencing the (very) occasional spell of hot weather in the UK, staying comfortable in warmer weather conditions can be tricky to stay comfortable especially when staying in a motorhome or campervan that can heat up quickly.

In this blog, we’re sharing our best tips and tricks for beating the heat in your motorhome! From choosing the right parking spot, to smart ventilation tricks and using portable cooling devices, we’re covering everything you need so you can stay cool and enjoy your motorhome adventure!

 

Park up in shaded areas

If you can, aim to park in shaded areas, this can significantly reduce the heat as the sun isn’t shining directly down on your motorhome.

 

Reflective covers

Invest in reflective window covers for your motorhome! They reduce heat by bouncing back the sun’s rays to keep your vehicle cooler.

Awnings

Awnings are a fantastic way to keep cool! With an awning, you can create a shaded outdoor area that protects against direct sunlight and can help with reducing the heat inside your vehicle. To maximise your awnings cooling efforts position your motorhome so that the awning faces the direction that receives the most sunlight during the hottest part of the day.

Another great thing about awnings is that they are made from breathable materials that don’t really hold heat, meaning that you can create an outdoor living space where you can enjoy the fresh air while shaded. This can be especially useful for dining, reading, or relaxing outside if the heat inside your vehicle is too intense.

 

Create a good airflow

Good ventilation is a key player in keeping your campervan or motorhome cool, open up windows and roof vents to create cross ventilation. Fans and dehumidifiers are also great tools to enhance airflow and reduce humidity levels in your vehicle and are a cheaper alternative to air-conditioning.

 

Aircon

If you’re fortunate to have an aircon unit installed in your vehicle, ensure that it is well-maintained and clean for optimal cooling performance. To make sure you’re efficiently using your air conditioning, you should close all doors and windows otherwise the cool air will escape.

 

 

Be careful with portable air coolers

Portable air coolers (also known as swamp coolers) are on the rise in popularity and are often marketed as a more budget-friendly alternative to air conditioning. They work by using cooled water which adds moisture to the air and through evaporation lowers the overall temperature and creates a cool breeze. Sounds good on paper right? However, there are things to be cautious of when using these coolers. Evaporating water into the air, especially in smaller enclosed spaces with not a lot of ventilation creates a high humidity which can result in mould and mildew.

Portable fans

Portable fans are a great and affordable method of staying cool! Although these fans aren’t as powerful as a mains powered fan they are great for close proximity and often come with adjustable settings allowing you to choose the right level of cooling for your needs!

These fans are small and lightweight so can effortlessly be carried in your bag making them perfect for on-the-go cooling when out exploring. They can also be easily recharged with a battery pack so you can ensure you stay cool all day while you’re out.

 

Cooler box

If you’re in a smaller campervan, your vehicle may only have a small fridge or not be equipped with a fridge at all. During hotter weather, many of us opt for a “picky bits” dinner, an assortment of food you don’t have to cook e.g. salad, ham, cheese, sandwiches, etc. To keep this food fresh making sure it doesn’t go off in the warm weather, and to keep your drinks nice and cool, an electric cooler box is the perfect solution!

 

Cooking

If you still fancy something hot for dinner in the summertime, you’ll want to find a way to cook that won’t heat up your motorhome or camper. A great way to cook in your vehicle without worrying about raising the temperature is either using a microwave or an air fryer. Both appliances are efficient for camping keeping the cooking process quick and easy.

Or you can take advantage of the warm weather and have a nice barbeque in the sunshine! A portable grill can be a fantastic cooking option giving you tasty smoky food while keeping the heat outside. However, it’s important to check if your campsite permits barbecues before firing up the grill.

Stay Hydrated!

Making sure you stay hydrated is extremely important during the hot weather. You should carry a reusable water bottle with you and ensure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration. During extremely hot weather you should try to avoid excessive intake of caffeinated drinks, sugary beverages, or alcohol as they can also contribute to dehydration.

Pro tip: No one likes drinking warm water. If you want to keep your drinks cool but don’t have a cooler or fridge, fill a bucket with cool water in the shade and leave your drinks to cool down a bit.

 

Clothing and bedding

The type of clothing you wear and the bedding you use are also important for staying cool.

For clothing, try to opt for lightweight, breathable, loose-fitting fabrics to allow for airflow. We also recommend wearing light-coloured clothing, whereas dark colours absorb heat, light colours reflect it helping to keep you cool.

When it comes to bedding for your motorhome, similar to clothing look for lightweight and breathable materials – some good fabrics for cooling sheets are cotton percale, linen or Tencel/lyocell, these fabrics help air to circulate and wick away moisture. Sheets with a lower thread count also tend to be cooler and more breathable as they are less dense.

Another way of providing some relief while trying to sleep is with cooling pillows and mats. These pillows and mats come with a gel cooling layer designed to help you keep cool. Many cooling mats for beds can be marked up at high prices especially during the summer, a life hack is to buy a large or xl pet cooling mat that can be found in home stores like B&M or the range, these mats are often cheaper, and have a larger surface area making them great for cooling!

 

Keeping your dog cool in your motorhome

If you travel with your dog in your motorhome or campervan during the summer you may struggle with trying to keep them cool, here are our best tips for making sure your pooch is comfortable during the summer:

• Provide Ventilation: Keep your dog in a well ventilated part of your motorhome
• Take regular breaks: When driving make sure you are taking breaks so your dog can get fresh air and stretch their legs..
• Use Cooling Mats: Like our tip for bedding buy a cooling mat for your dog to provide them with some relief from the heat.
• Cooling Collars or Vests: Buy a cooling collar or cooling vest
• Wet Towel: If you can’t purchase a cooling collar or vest, drape a wet cool towel over your dog to cool them down.
• Hydration: Keep your dog hydrated by ensuring they have access to cool, clean water throughout the day. Carry a portable water bowl for outings.
• Encourage Drinking: If your dog is reluctant to drink when the weather is hot try adding a little bit of chicken broth or bone broth to their water to encourage them to drink.

Cooling your body down quickly

To quickly cool down, try these effective methods:

1. Damp Towel or Ice Pack: Press a damp towel or wrapped ice pack against areas of your body that release the most heat, such as your wrists, neck, chest, or temples. This helps lower your overall body temperature swiftly.
2. Dip Feet in Cold Water: Another effective way to cool down rapidly is by dipping your feet into cold water. The feet have many blood vessels close to the skin’s surface and cooling them can help cool your entire body.

These techniques can be especially useful during hot weather or after physical activity to help you feel more comfortable and cooler quickly.

Folding Pool

If your campsite allows them, folding pools can be a godsend during the hot weather. Folding pools are very compact and can be set up in minutes! Whether you’re travelling with a dog, the kids, or just need a paddle yourself, a dip in the pool is the perfect remedy when you’re feeling hot.

 

Cover for your Summer Adventures

Before you set off to comfortably enjoy the hot weather don’t forget to get insurance cover for your motorhome or campervan! Our policies give you cover for both the UK and Europe so whether you’re off on a UK campervan summer road trip or on a van life adventure to explore Europe we’ve got you fully covered!

To learn more about our policies or for a quote, give us a call on 0208 984 0666!