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6 Ways To Keep Your Caravan Cool This Summer
With the temperature soaring faster than a kangaroo on a sugar rush, wondering how to keep a caravan cool in summer can feel like trying to work out how to refrigerate the Outback. But don’t sweat it – we’ve got some smart tips to help you turn your mobile oven back into a comfortable haven. Read on for six key ways to beat the heat in your home on wheels during the hottest months of the year.

1. Shade is Your Best Mate
Let’s start with the obvious but often overlooked strategy: finding the perfect parking spot for your van each day when you’re out on the road. Think of your caravan as a stubbie without a cooler – leave it in the sun, and you’ll end up with a warm disappointment!
When setting up camp, consider the following tips to help keep your caravan from heating up too much:
- Position your van with the smallest wall facing the western sun.
- Take advantage of natural shade from trees (but watch for falling branches).
- Consider investing in a good-quality annexe or awning. This can be like giving your van a proper Akubra hat and significantly help reduce the heat inside your home on wheels.
2. Insulation: Your Invisible Shield
When it comes to caravan insulation, you’re essentially adding a cooling device to your entire mobile home. Proper caravan wall insulation and ceiling coverage can make a massive difference in maintaining comfortable temperatures year-round, especially in the summer months.
The good news is that insulating a caravan isn’t as complex as explaining cricket rules to a newbie. To fit out your van, you’ll want to start with reflective foil insulation in the walls and roof to essentially give it some “sunscreen”. For those wondering how to insulate a caravan, focus on:
- Roof cavity insulation (the most crucial bit)
- Wall cavities (where accessible)
- Floor insulation to block heat rising from the ground
- Window insulation with reflective coverings
If this job feels outside your zone of expertise or you simply don’t have time, turn the task over to some experts. At The Caravan Guys, we’re professionals in a wide range of caravan renovations, and can install new insulation to any type of van. Or, if your mobile home currently has insulation but you’re unsure of its quality or state, contact us about our caravan servicing options, and we can take a look and make updates as needed.
3. Time to Talk About Your Caravan AC
Your caravan air conditioning unit is the heavyweight champion in the fight against heat, so if you don’t currently have air-con installed, now’s the time to add it to your van. But like any athlete, it also needs proper support to perform at its best. You can offer your caravan’s air conditioning unit help each year by conducting regular maintenance on it.
You’ll need to clean those AC filters more often than you clean your BBQ (which should be pretty often, by the way!) and get it thoroughly serviced every year or two to ensure everything is running as it should. Another tip is to position yourself near powered sites when possible, as running your caravan AC on solar alone can be tricky, especially over our harsh Aussie summers when we often need to run air con for many hours at a time in order to stay comfortable.
4. A Fan-tastic Way to Keep Your Van Cool
Installing a caravan ceiling fan is a pearler of an idea for those times when you want to save power or just enjoy some natural airflow. As you rest in your van, sit back and imagine the breeze coming from some gorgeous gum trees or a powerful natural waterfall!
To create cross-ventilation, you can use one large ceiling fan or strategically position multiple DIY floor or wall fans. It’s amazing what clever air circulation can achieve, especially in less humid conditions.
5. Windows: Your Thermal Weak Link
Windows can let in more unwanted heat than a rogue relative at Christmas dinner, so consider these upgrades to help you stay cooler:
- Install thermal curtains or blinds (the blockout kind)
- Add external window covers or awnings
- Use reflective window coverings during the hottest parts of the day
- Consider double glazing for serious temperature control
6. Timing is Everything
Being smart about when and how you use your van can make a huge difference, too. Cook outside rather than inside during the heat of the day wherever possible because your barbie isn’t just for snags but can become a summer survival tool as well.
Plus, run heat-generating appliances in the early morning or evening, and try to do any maintenance or setup before the sun gets too roasting hot after mid-morning.
Stay Cool as a Cucumber in Your Mobile Castle
Keeping your caravan cool in summer doesn’t have to be harder than finding a parking spot at a Westfield shopping centre on Boxing Day. It’s about combining different strategies, like proper caravan insulation, smart use of your caravan air conditioning, and making the most of natural cooling methods. With these tips in your toolkit, you’ll be cruising through summer more comfortably than ever.
And hey, if all else fails, there’s always the time-honoured Australian tradition of cracking open a cold drink and remembering that tomorrow will hopefully be cooler! But seriously, implement these tips first – your caravan will thank you, and so will your electricity bill!
If you’d like some help staying cooler in your van this summer, keep in mind that our professional team can help with all your caravan repairs and updates in and around Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and surrounds. Book a free onsite quote today.