Keeping Your Cool: Van Life in a Heatwave

There’s a specific kind of misery that comes with sleeping in a metal box during a heatwave. You know it’s bad when you’re lying on top of your bedding at 2am wondering if your van is technically a slow cooker.

If you’re in the middle of a hot spell, here’s what actually helps.

Park somewhere sensible

Shade is obvious, but altitude and coast make a real difference. Head up into the hills or towards the sea and you’ll usually find it a few degrees cooler and breezier than baking in a car park. Worth the extra drive.

Get air moving

Open everything — doors, windows, roof vent if you’ve got one. The goal is through-draught, not a vague hope it’ll cool down. Magnetic mesh covers are useful; they keep airflow going without letting every insect in the county join you for the night.

Get a 12V fan

If there’s no natural breeze, a decent 12V fan will change your life. Point it at you while you sleep, or set it up to pull hot air out through the roof vent. Not glamorous, but effective.

Keep the interior light

Dark surfaces absorb heat and hold onto it. If you’re already built out in darker tones, reflective window covers will at least stop the sun baking everything during the day.

Drink water. Properly.

You’ll lose more than you think, especially if you’re out and active. Keep water cold in an insulated cooler — electrolyte drinks help too if you’re sweating heavily.

It won’t be comfortable, but it’s manageable. And it beats paying campsite prices just for the luxury of a shower block..