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Those of you who camp abroad how do you keep the caravan cool?  We are off to Italy next week where its mid 30s (20 degs at night) - we were a bit warm in our summer sleeping bags in Chertsey last week - how do you keep cool?

We open every window and not bother with sleeping bags, just light quilt cover.

Thanks Saxo, didn't know that - I was just giving out general heatwave advice from the dept. of health!

Good job you were there.

Bet that cost you a packet didn't it?

We leave windows and the door open until dusk but then tend to close them because of insects. We use a 12inch oscillating fan. We also leave  the smaller roof vents up. If you have a rooflight with a fan that can suck a lot of hot air out of the van, likewise using the blown air just on cold can also cool things down a little.

David

Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 30/7/2010

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Be carefull leaving the windows and the blinds closed when sunny,I just had all my windows replaced(polyplastic)
it is suspected that the build up of heat between the panes may be the cause of delamination.
The new windows have a picture on them with a cross through it illustrating that windows and blinds should not be closed in full sun.
Saxo1

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I think if you keep the windows closed during the day the van will get much hotter than the ambient air temperature and will be cooking by the time you open the windows at dusk.

"And if it comes to it why does it only happen to new windows of recent manufacture and not to older windows?"

Apparently there has been a production failure in recent times involving many many windows produced for a range of vans. Manufacturers have the serial batch numbers of affected windows. They are also affected by "flexing" where the window bends and each pane scratches the other so that it looks like powder on the inside of the pane. If each pane "powder" mirrors the marks on the other pane it is likely the case that the window has flexed and each pane has scratched the other.

Mainly affects the centre front window I believe.

Phil

Thats great info thanks - I think I'll nip to B&Q this week and pick up a small fan for the front and prob another for the kids room at the back.  Caravan engineer who checked over our van advised not to leave the blinds down when not in use or in sunny conditions as the UV damages them & the blinds units cost £200 each to replace.  OH gets eaten alive by mossies so the mosquito blinds & door will be fully utilised.

Would you leave your van unattended during the day on site with your windows open though?