coping with weather extremes

Just wondering if you all sleep in your vans in heatwaves like this or do you sleep in awnings? What are your tips for keeping cool in a Kombi?

Our blinds have a thermal layer in the middle (Orange on the outside, Orla on the inside) which insulates in both directions, stays cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

We often open the front windows behind the wrap around screen cover to keep us a bit coooler.

We have seen people keep the thermals up on the windows during the day to try and keep some of the heat out!
Like Abs, we just open the front windows a little at night, having had the slider open during the evening.

From experience the awning is often hotter than the van when temperatures reach the highs we've had over the last few days so that wouldn't be our solution.
Out of interest I wonder if anyone has tried a table top air conditioner in their Kombi?

Air circulation, shade, and keep feet and wrists exposed at night.

Also we have used similar product to this in hot climates. (half this price in Boots and Superdrug)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magicool-Weather-Cooling-Spray-200ml/dp/B000KKNY26

Scooby wrote:

We have seen people keep the thermals up on the windows during the day to try and keep some of the heat out!
Like Abs, we just open the front windows a little at night, having had the slider open during the evening.

Once pitched, our sun canopy provides shade on the sliding door side of Tallulah and we tend to keep our rear (incl rear side) blinds down. It's then just the cab and hob side window that lets full sun in and we can use the other blinds or curtain to help if needed.

We've also recently bought one of these but have yet to test it - if it arrives in time we will test it at CamperJam.

VW Door Stay

Saw those Door Stays on t'internet the other day and thought they looked a great idea. For £7.99 think I'll take the plunge and order one too...

On overheating in the van , we find our black out batwrap certainly helps keeping the van cooler , would also agree that having the sun canopy up and the van door open during the day if you're around the van helps keeping it cool too..

A nightcap or two might also help with any sleeping worries , I've got a bottle or two I'll bring to CJ for medicinal purposes of course

Leave the fridge open.

Door stay arrived today, looks very simple but fits and looks like it will do a good job. Will bring to CJ for others to see.

TimV wrote:

Leave the fridge open.

...or the hob on....

Bumble wrote:

Just wondering if you all sleep  in your vans in heatwaves like this or do you sleep in awnings?  What are your tips for keeping cool in a Kombi?

Head North!

Dress like a cucumber - it has its 'fans' - you just might then be 'as cool as a cucumber'

alderley wrote:

Bumble wrote:

Just wondering if you all sleep  in your vans in heatwaves like this or do you sleep in awnings?  What are your tips for keeping cool in a Kombi?

Head North!

Or Cornwall. Yesyerday in Bude it was raining and 19 degrees. I even put my hoodie on as I was getting a bit chilly

Thanks for all the tips folks...... but the prize for maximum amusement has to go to dizzylizard! I've been keeping my wrists and feet exposed today!
Mrs Bumble

19 degrees! !! That's Barbados! !!