How to Survive a Vanlife Heatwave

With temperatures soaring throughout mainland Europe and record-breaking heat predicted, plans are in place to protect people, pets and properties from the extreme conditions of the weather event. The internet is awash with tips for battling the heat and staying comfortable.

Unfortunately, few of these tips apply when you live in a tin can. In a house, you can simply close the blinds, turn up the aircon and lie down until it all goes away. In vanlife, options are a little more limited. If you're waiting out the heatwave in your van, try these ideas:

Plan your place : The best option for minimising the effects of strong sunshine and high heat is to move towards the ocean where a nice sea breeze will circulate the air and keep you cool. Then, in the evening when it’s safe, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the warm water!

Find the shade : Parking up under a canopy of trees will doubtless reduce the temperatures inside your rig. This tip comes with a caveat though as trees attract insects and, depending on your location, may be at risk of fire. Stay alert and informed of local weather conditions!

Ventilate : Keeping all the windows and doors open seems like a great way to create a breeze and counter that stagnant warm air settling in your van. But be warned, insects like flies, mosquitos, bees and flying ants love to land in a campervan and may even stay the night.

Insulate : When fitting out your van, add the ideal amount of insulation and install it correctly to help your van stay warm in winter and cool in summer. Unfortunately, this tip may be useless to you now if your build is finished and you're already sweltering.... Sorry!

Paint : Painting a van, or at least the roof, white, will help reflect some heat and maintain a cooler temperature inside. It can be tempting to paint the entire van white, that won't have much effect unless the insulation is right to begin. Ensure your self-build rig is ready!

Last resort, leave : If you’re still finding vanlife too hot, regardless of the cool sea breeze, the white roof, the adequate insulation and the shade, it may be time head for a house, hostel, or hotel. Just as extreme cold is dangerous to life, a potential heatwave is no joke.

Challenges abound in a nomads life, and most of us wouldn’t have it any other way. But few things in vanlife are as life-threatening as these predicted temperatures. Make sure you’re comfortable, hydrated, cool and shaded and protect your pets against heatstroke and exhaustion.

Van life is fun in the sun but can be hard in the heat. Climate change and the regular extremes we're experiencing lately may force van lifers to move to cooler places permanently.

Have any friends with a large shaded driveway and a cool, refreshing pool to dip in?

Lets go!