VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
Heatwaves in a Campervan: Keeping Your Van Liveable in Summer
A van in full sun becomes an oven: ventilation, shade, fridge, pets, cab or living-area air conditioning — the right reflexes for travelling through a heatwave.
A metal body in full sun, large glazed surfaces, a small volume: during a heatwave, the inside of a parked campervan can pass 50 °C in under an hour. A few simple reflexes change everything — provided you know them before departure.
Park smart, ventilate constantly
The first air conditioner is shade: scout it out for the hottest hours, and point the windscreen away from the afternoon sun. Deploy the external windscreen thermal cover (often supplied — check the listing), open the roof vent and opposite windows to create a through-draught, and keep the fly screens shut from dusk. A €20 12 V fan transforms the nights.
Fridge and water: think ahead
Absorption fridges, common in motorhomes, lose efficiency above 32 °C: pre-chill yours the day before, limit door openings and don’t overload it. Plan on 2 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, excluding showers and cooking, and top up the tank at every stopover — our departure checklist lists every level to check.
Air conditioning: cab, living area, or neither
Almost all recent vehicles have cab air conditioning — but it only works while driving. Living-area air conditioning, which cools the habitation space when parked, remains rare in rentals and usually needs a campsite hook-up: if it matters to you, filter listings accordingly and ask before booking.
Pets and children: zero tolerance
Never leave a dog or a child in a closed vehicle, even for a few minutes, even in the shade. If you travel with a pet, our pet-friendly rental guide covers the right platforms and filters.
The best remedy: your route
In a full heatwave, 500 m of altitude beats any fan: aim for the Alps, Scandinavia or windswept coasts rather than overheated plains — inspiration in our Alps road trip guide. And compare genuinely equipped vehicles (awnings, ventilated roof lights, living-area air conditioning) on Van-Comparator: at equal price, summer comfort varies enormously from one listing to the next.