Lynette de Vries
September 14th 2024
Everything you need to know about temperature and humidity
You know it, the summers in Europe. One week there is a heat wave with temperatures of 32°C, with the sparrows falling from the roof. The other week you wish you had brought more thick sweaters with you on camping vacation.
In this article you will read, among other things, how to drive the heat out of your caravan or motorhome during the hot days and how, on the contrary, to keep your caravan or motorhome warm during the colder days.
Heating, temperature and humidity
1. How do I heat my caravan or motorhome?
On cool spring or autumn days, you will be glad you have it, and for winter campers it is indispensable in the caravan or motorhome: the heater. To enjoy cozy camping all year round, it is important that your caravan or motorhome is equipped with a good heating system.
If you decide to purchase a heating system, you should ask yourself where and when you want to use the heater. After all, this will help determine what type of heater you need. It is important that you think about where you want to use the heater, which room you would like to heat and how many watts you can use at the campsite. These questions will help you determine which stove is best in your situation.
There are three types of stoves: electric, gas and pretoleum stoves. In addition, there are also many variations within these three types, so you will soon lose sight of the forest for the trees. We will help you make the choice easier.
1.1 Electric heater
The electric heater often has a small size, which means that the device takes up less space in your caravan or motorhome. In addition, a major advantage is that you only need electricity to run the stove. The stove provides focused, dry heat, but does not always have the capacity to heat a room completely. This is why the electric heater often serves as a supplemental heater for a caravan or RV.
It is important that you know how many amps you can use, this varies from campsite to campsite. Usually this is 3, 4, 6 or 10 amps. Depending on this amount of ampere you can determine how many watts the heater may use up.
With the following calculation you can determine how many watts the stove and your other electrical devices together consume. Suppose you have access to 3 amperes at your camping site;
Number of amps x 230 volts = number of watts
So 3 amps x 230 volts = max. 690 watts.
This means that all your electrical devices together may use a maximum of 690 Watts on the pitch.
1.2 Gas stove
One advantage of the gas stove is that it heats a room very quickly. However, a disadvantage can be that when you turn off the gas stove, the room cools down again quickly. In addition, a disadvantage of a gas stove can be that it cannot be used when you are driving, the gas bottles take up space and weight, and sometimes the gas is hard to come by.
When you want to purchase a gas stove, it is important to know the size of the room you want to heat. After all, this will determine what type of gas stove you need. In addition, it is important that you purchase a matching gas bottle, gas hose and pressure regulator with a gas stove.
1.3 Petroleum stove
This type of stove emits dry heat, which will remain in the room for a long time, even when you have already turned off the stove. Often petroleum stoves are more expensive to purchase. This is because this type of stove is more durable than the previously mentioned stoves and very safe to use. For the petroleum stove, if you use the right fuel, the stove has a clean and safe combustion and is also very economical to use.
There are two different types of petroleum stoves, namely the cold and laser stove. The difference between these two stoves is that the cold stove uses electricity at ignition with the help of batteries and the laser stove you have to connect to an outlet. The great advantage of a laser stove over the stocking stove is that the temperature can be controlled to the degree.
2. How do I prevent moisture in my caravan or motorhome?
Moisture, unbeknownst to you, can do a lot of damage to your caravan or motorhome. The most important way to prevent moisture damage in your caravan or motorhome is ventilation. The most effective way to ventilate is to air briefly and intensively. You do this by opening all doors, windows and shutters for just ten minutes at a time. Unpleasant and musty odors will be expelled and your caravan or motorhome will maintain a pleasant living environment.
Moisture damage can occur not only during camping vacations. Also during the time your caravan or motorhome is in storage. The question of whether you should ventilate during the storage period is one on which opinions differ. Some do not think it is necessary and say you will get dust and vermin in return and others swear by it. We do recommend that you do ventilate your caravan or motorhome during storage. There are several ways to ventilate your caravan or camper.
Air vents
Most modern caravans or motorhomes have built-in ventilation grills. You can open these against each other during your storage period. This way, there is no need to leave the windows open.
Open the windows
Open two windows or the roof hatch of your caravan or camper against each other and close the screen in front of the window or roof hatch. This way, pests cannot get into your caravan or motorhome.
Cushions up
If you have loose cushions on the benches of your caravan or camper, put them up and open the benches, under the cushions. This way, the benches and cushions can get a good airing.
Refrigerator ajar
Turn off the refrigerator in your caravan or motor home and leave the door ajar. This way you will prevent condensation and foul odors.
Open toilet and closet doors
Make sure your toilet and closet doors are open during the storage period. This way you will prevent your toilet or cabinets from getting musty odors.
3. Tips for keeping your caravan or motorhome cool
Of course you hope for nice weather during your vacation period, but what if the temperatures reach tropical levels? Then how do you keep your caravan or motorhome cool? Here are some practical tips:
Tip 1: Pay attention to the wind if your caravan or motorhome is too warm
The wind allows the temperature inside your caravan or motorhome to drop, and this way of cooling costs nothing. When there is a nice breeze, immediately open all the windows, skylights and doors of your caravan or motorhome against each other. All warm air will blow out of your caravan or motorhome this way. If there is no wind, keep your windows, roof hatches and doors closed.
Tip 2: Sun protection for the windows
Awnings are not only ideal at home, they can really make a few degrees of difference when camping. Camping stores sell all kinds of awnings in different sizes, types and price ranges. An awning not only allows you to sit in the shade when temperatures rise to tropical levels, it also keeps the caravan or motorhome cooler. However, an awning can only be placed on one side of the caravan or motorhome. You can install special awnings for the windows on the other side. Often these awnings have universal sizes that are suitable for most windows.
Tip 3: Do not use the walls of your awning
If you don’t need an awning, don’t use it. This is because the awning retains a lot of heat. If the awning is indispensable, we recommend removing the walls of your awning. This way, the wind can blow through the awning and the heat can get away.
Tip 4: Don’t cook inside
Cooking inside your caravan or motorhome heats it up even more. In addition, there is of course nothing nicer than to light the BBQ outside and enjoy cooking on it.
Tip 5: Keep the screens up during the day
We understand that this is a dubious tip, because pests can get into your caravan or motorhome when the horns are up. Nevertheless, we really recommend this tip to you. When the screens on your caravan or RV are open, the wind can blow through your RV more easily. In addition, screens are real heat catchers. They warm up nicely in the sun and then retain this heat well and for a long time.
Tip 6: Clean the roof of your caravan or motorhome
You may think this is a strange tip, but a dirty roof causes your caravan or motorhome to heat up faster. This is because dark surfaces attract heat, making it easier for the caravan or motorhome to heat up.
4. How do I know what temperature my refrigerator is at?
A refrigerator with the right temperature is always important, which is why during your camping vacation. What is more annoying than spoiled food or not properly chilled drinks during your vacation? The ideal temperature of your refrigerator is 4°C. At this temperature, the growth of bacteria and mold is inhibited the most. Only, how do you always stay aware of the temperature in your refrigerator?
E-Trailer believes it is important that you go on a camping vacation not only safely, but also comfortably. For this reason, we have launched a module on the market that keeps you informed about the temperature in your refrigerator, or other place you put it, via your smartphone. You will also receive a warning when the temperature gets too high. For example, if you are on your way to the south of France and forgot to turn on your refrigerator, you can intervene as soon as you get a notification. This way, your food and beverages will stay wonderfully chilled and you can enjoy them upon arrival at your campsite.
Using the E-Temperature you can not only read the temperature on your smartphone, but also the humidity of the room where you have placed the E-Temperature. The E-Temperature is a portable module that you can place anywhere you want. Treat yourself to a worry-free vacation and go for the E-Temperature.
Remember that you must have Starter Package Basic or Plus first. Without the main module, E-Temperature will not work, which can be found here. Are you interested in our products. You can find a dealer near you via the button below.