Australia is a land of breathtaking landscapes and picturesque coastlines, making it ideal to explore by caravan. The most popular time to hitch up and hit the road in Australia is during the warmer months. However, the hot Australian summers can pose a challenge when it comes to keeping your caravan cool and comfortable so you may find yourself in need of cooling solutions for your caravan.
The good news is that there are several ways to keep your caravan cooler in a hot weather and here are some recommendations:
1. Choose the Right Campsite
The most important and basic tip on how to keep a caravan cool in summer is to reduce the amount of direct sunlight that will be hitting your van during the day.
Selecting a shady camping spot can significantly impact the temperature inside your caravan. Whenever possible, aim for shaded areas or campsites with natural tree cover. Parking in the shade will shield your caravan from direct sunlight. Be careful around large gum trees though, as they can drop large branches without warning. Additionally, aim for campsites near bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers, as the cool breeze can help lower the temperature around your caravan. You can also get some relief from the heat by jumping in the water for a swim.
2. Ventilation is Key
Air flow and good ventilation makes a world of difference for maintaining a cool environment inside your caravan. Rather than allowing hot air to become trapped inside the caravan, open all vents, windows, and roof hatches to allow hot air to escape while letting air circulate.
3. 12V And Portable Fans
A popular addition to assist in cooling a caravan are 12 volt fans. These circulate the air while only drawing a small amount of power. The Sirocco fan is one of the most popular models we install. Whilst it doesn’t actually ‘cool’ the air, it does circulate air around the caravan and assist other cooling methods. If you don’t have an air-conditioner in your van or prefer not to use it, portable or fixed fans can do a lot to make life more comfortable. A 12-volt fan or two installed in your van, preferably with a reliable power source (that is, a well charged-up house battery) can be all it takes to get a good night’s sleep on hot balmy nights.
Portable fans can be a substitution for 12v fans but they do take up precious floor space and can become a tripping hazard. They can also use more power than 12v fans.
4. Shade Awnings
Making use of external awnings or shades can significantly reduce the impact of sunshine on your caravan. Awnings create shade around the outside of your vehicle, blocking direct sunlight from entering through windows or doors. This simple addition can significantly lower the temperature inside the caravan and enhance your overall comfort.
Having an awning fitted to both sides of the caravan and extending both awnings not only gives you more options for sitting in the shade during the day but also keeps the sun from beating down on the caravan walls.
This also has the added benefit of helping your caravan fridge work more effectively when the awning is extended on the side of the caravan that houses the fridge.
5. Air Conditioners
When all else fails and the heat is just unbearable, the most obvious way of cooling down the caravan is to have an air-conditioner installed and running. Sometimes the heat and humidity in Australia can reach extremely high levels and cooling down becomes crucial.
When using air conditioners, you need to keep the doors and windows closed so the heat from outside isn’t getting in. If you weren’t blessed with a rooftop top air conditioner on your caravan, there are ‘under bunk’ air conditioners available that can be retrofitted to your caravan.
Embrace the beauty of the Australian landscape without letting the soaring temperatures dampen your spirits. Stay cool, stay safe, and make unforgettable memories on your caravan journey!
Bold Trailer And Caravan Repair Centre supplies and installs caravan cooling solutions. If you love to DIY, Bold TCRC can supply you with your parts.
If you would like your heating or cooling solution professionally installed, please call (02)8544-8114 to book an assessment appointment to have one of our technicians create a solution for you and your caravan.
