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Too Hot?

robertpr

robertpr

New but committed
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21
Vehicle
T5 SE 180
We're off to Italy in August. It's going to be hot. Does anyone have any tips or are we worrying unnecessarily? My wife is concerned that it might be unbearable and we won't get any sleep! Thanks :)
 
If you are too hot you will sweat. Evaporation of your sweat is nature's way of cooling you down. However you need air to be moving over you to do this. One way to achieve this (which I have used before inside, but not got our Cali yet to set up something in there) is to rig up some old computer fans. They are quiet, use little juice, and can be wired up to a stand, clip etc or hung directly over you using a little imagination. Although they are 12v, I use 2 in parallel at 6v each to slow them down to a perfect speed.
You could also use some ice packs if available to make something a little more sophisticated using this idea or similar - http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-and-Cheap-Air-Cooler-with-Computer-Fans/
Stay hydrated, and ditch the 13.5 tog duvet or course!
There is also a way of locking the rear door in a slightly open position to improve air flow using an "Air-Safe" device.
Have a great time!
 
My tips for sleeping when it's really hot:

1. If you've got kids encourage them to sleep in pup tents
2. and then one adult upstairs and one adult downstairs
3. Use the mosquito screens with the side windows open.

You really will be fine.
 
You can get the tailgate lock that leaves the tail gate locked but slightly ajar. With the from windows cracked you get a nice breeze blow through. You cantor the heater on to just blow too I think to help move the air.
 
We were in Italy and south of France last August, we used small USB desk fans, one for our 2 boys upstairs and one for us downstairs, they are quiet and efficient and easy to store about £3.50 each from amazon, we also have an airsafe for the boot lid.
It will be warm but isn't that why we go?
Enjoy
 
I was camping in my beach last august as far south as Almeria in Spain we experience temps up to 40 degrees during the day. I honestly thought we where going to roast but spent all day at the pool.
Firstly park in the shade if you can. One of the sites in Benidorm pitches had huge nets that where hung up high above the pitches which gave shade not sure if any of the site you go to will have them. if you have the awning use it for shade on the van so park the van with this in mind.
Keep the roof windows unzipped, get a Brandrup tailgate van safe and the mossy nets on the side windows.
We used a 12v fan which gave air movement, if you are on hook up you could take a desktop fan.
The downstairs is deffo the hottest place to the sleep, the upstairs with the windows open was like sleeping outside.

Going back again this year and can't wait.. loved sitting outside at night till the early hours with a cold beer staring at the stars and its still warm.. its whats having a Cali is all about.

This time I'm going to invest in the flyout nets for the tailgate and sliding door.
 
If you can't park in the shade pull the blinds down and put the side window and front screen blinds on to stop the sun heating up the interior surfaces. Use the awning as said above to protect that side of the Cali from being heated up.
You don't need to do all sides, just the sides the sun will shine on.
There is a definite lack of provision for ventilation when Calis are parked, I suppose this is where a sunroof would be handy.
 
I am sharing a villa with friends and family currently in Languedoc where it is 40c.

My bedroom does not have air con and catches all the afternoon sun. Last night I slept in the cali as it was cooler.

I had it parked up during the day with the roof up, screen covers on and window blinds pulled down. It got hot during the day but was much cooler at night.
 
I grew up in the south of Spain, where it easily reach more than 40 degrees. Usually "worst" month is July because August usually is "colder" during the night. The feeling can also vary depending of the place you are, for example, where I grew up, Zafra, a small city in the south of Extremadura the weather it's very very hot, but it's dry, so it's much better than, for example, Badajoz, very near so similar temperatures, but terribly humid in summer.... horrible.

If you want to sleep confi in your Cali be sure it's most of the time in the shade and, if possible, when the sun is gone, refresh your Cali with water using a hose.

Try to leave opened as many windows/doors as you can (it will depends of how safe the place is) and use some fans. There are also a metallic device that allow you keep the tailgate "open" but secured.

I understand for you Britons 40 degrees is too much, and maybe you should use the air con time to time. I prefer not to use it, don't like too much, but sometimes is unavoidable.
 
Also consider a reflective, insulated windscreen and cabin windows cover for the van - one that goes on the outside (once the light goes through the glass the heat is in the vehicle and trapped). I used one at Camperjam last week. It did a great job of cutting down on the heat inside the van during the day, despite very strong sunlight. Got mine from Comfortz. Fits in a bag that can be stuffed in the tailgate with the seats.
 
We have been Europe for almost 6 weeks, France, Corsica and now in Italy. Things we do are, try and find shaded camp spot, fit cab internal thermal screens, use blinds when away from the van, fit mesh windows, all top roof vents open, sleep with single sheet on bed (feet and legs out) or no sheet. Never had a problem getting to sleep so far. If it gets too hot at the coast head for the mountains, much cooler.

Took the topper in case of rain, not used yet
 
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In Croatia a couple of years ago the heat was opressive.
Even at night it was still almost 30deg.
We would leave the silver pucker screen on the roof through the day and remove at night.
Same with the windows, cover in day remove at night.
We bought large sheets of mosquito netting and cut to the shape of the door windows, backdoor
and made a two piece one for the sliding door.
Some nights we slept with all windows and doors open.
The wife was initially worried about security but we had no problems.
 
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