Camping in the heat: tips for a relaxed summer vacation

Camping and heat – they often don’t go well together.
If you’re traveling in summer – especially if your destination is the south of Europe – it can get uncomfortably warm in your tent.
But Germany also has its heatwaves.
So that you are well prepared and don’t get too warm in the accommodation of your choice, for example in a roof tent, camper van or tent trailer, you will find lots of tips here to make the heat more bearable.
These range from health tips, packing lists, pitches and a good night’s sleep to tips for your dog.
For more information on camping in bright sunshine, you can read on here: Camping in summer.

Avoid the heat: Health first!

In general, it is important to avoid excessive heat.
Especially at lunchtime in summer, it can easily get so hot that your circulation suffers.
However, this can be particularly difficult in summer, when temperatures are often very high during the day.
However, if you follow a few simple tips, you can stay healthy even in hot weather.
First, check the weather forecast to know what to expect.
As a rule, it is at its warmest from midday until late afternoon.
You should avoid activities involving physical exertion during this time.
Instead, plan your activities in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are more comfortable.
Avoid strenuous activities and rest if you get too hot.
Your body needs time to get used to the heat, so take things a little slower and take regular breaks to cool down.
If possible, seek out shady areas or stay in air-conditioned rooms to protect yourself from the heat.
If you feel unwell or notice signs of heatstroke or sunstroke, seek medical help immediately.

Very important: Protect your health!

  • Pay attention to the weather forecast
  • The warmest times of the day are from midday to late afternoon
  • Plan activities in the early morning or late evening
  • Avoid major exertion & plan rest breaks
  • Use shaded areas & air-conditioned rooms
  • If you have health problems, you should definitely see a doctor

Blue waves roll against the white sand of a coastal town.

How to pack: These are the things you need!

Travel preparations begin, we pack our seven things.
If you’re planning to be outside, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun to avoid sunburn and other health problems.
Here are a few tips on how you can best protect yourself: Wear light, breathable clothing and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Choose clothing with a UV protection factor for extra protection.
A T-shirt or even a long-sleeved shirt can help protect the body from the sun’s rays and absorb sweat, helping to keep the body cool.
Use additional protection such as a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
The sun hat can not only protect your head from the sun, but also your face and neck.
Use sun cream with a high sun protection factor and apply it regularly.
Make sure you apply the cream at least 30 minutes before you go out in the sun so that it has time to absorb into the skin.
Reapply the cream every few hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
Here is the complete packing list to check off:

Lightweight, breathable clothing
Hat
T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt
Sunglasses
Sunscreen (with a high sun protection factor)
Possibly clothing with UV protection factor

Tip!
Your things are properly sorted in a storage system.
You can find one here in the store: Bag organizer.

Car journey: avoid oven temperatures!

Now it’s time to go on vacation.
Campers usually drive to their chosen campsite by car.
When it’s hot outside, it can be uncomfortable to travel in a car.
But with a few simple steps, you can make sure you stay cool and safe on the journey.
Open the doors and a sunroof, if you have one, before you set off to let the hot air out of the car and let the cool air in.
Set the ventilation to the highest level to increase the air circulation in the car.
Use the air conditioning carefully to avoid getting too cold compared to the outside temperature.
Excessively cold air can cause circulatory problems.
Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks.
During the ride, take a sip of water every 30 minutes.
Take regular breaks to rest and refresh yourself.
Look for a shady spot to avoid the heat.
Use this time to stretch and move around a bit to improve your circulation.
This checklist will help you survive the car journey despite 30°C in the shade and traffic jams on the A1:

  1. Before driving: ventilate the car (open doors & windows)
  2. While driving: use ventilation (air circulates)
  3. Adjusting the air conditioning to the outside temperature
  4. Drink plenty of water & avoid sugary foods
  5. Regular breaks (rest, stretch & move)

Finding a pitch & campsite: 5 tips

If possible, choose campsites at higher elevations or near bodies of water to benefit from cooler temperatures, such as a river or lake.
Being close to water can help keep temperatures a little cooler.
However, you should bear in mind that this also increases the likelihood of mosquitoes, so you should be prepared for this.
If you want to set up an outdoor sleeping area, you should make sure that you choose a shady spot.
Direct sunlight can not only be unpleasant, but also harmful to your health.
Consider the movement of the sun when choosing a campsite.
A site that is in the shade in the morning may be in full sun later in the day.
So if you want to find a shady spot, you should consider the movement of the sun and plan accordingly.
Use natural shade providers such as trees or set up a sun sail or awnings to provide additional protection from the sun.
These 5 points will help you find a suitable place to camp:

  1. Choose a pitch in the shade
  2. Campsite in a higher location
  3. Choose proximity to bodies of water
  4. Observe the movement of the sun
  5. Use a sun sail or awning

Tip!
You can see an example of an awning here in the store: Shadow awning. And here you can find more tips on useful awnings, sun sails etc.: Tent extensions.

Cool the interior: Fan to insulation foil

No matter which sleeping accommodation you choose, it quickly gets warm in a tent, caravan or roof tent.
Here are a few tips on how to keep your camping sleeping area cool and comfortable: Use fans or air conditioners for cooling.
A fan can be a simple and inexpensive way to circulate air inside.
Air conditioning can be more expensive, but also provides a more comfortable temperature.
It is better to air the room regularly to circulate the air and dissipate the heat.
A cold shower can also help to refresh you and shake off the heat.
Alternatively, use cooling towels or sprays to cool you down when needed.
Hang up wet towels to provide additional cooling.
The evaporation effect can help to lower the air temperature.
Insulate windows and skylights, as heat often gets through here.
One option is to use special insulating film to keep the heat out.
This also keeps the tent cool:

  • Use fans or air conditioning to cool down
  • Regular ventilation ensures air circulation & heat dissipation
  • Refresh with a cold shower, cooling towels or sprays
  • Hang up wet towels to take advantage of the evaporation effect
  • Insulate windows & skylights to keep heat out

Food & drink: Cooking on the campsite

To make cooking in hot camping weather more pleasant, here are some useful tips.
Make sure you drink enough water.
Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, which can be dehydrating.
You should also not cool your drinks down too much.
Instead, you should drink warmer drinks.
This makes sense because the body has to use a lot of energy to warm up cold drinks in the body and so you get even warmer despite the cold drink.
For drinks, you can take a look at the drink holder.
Plan meals that are easy to digest and not too heavy.
Avoid heavy, fatty meals, which can strain the body and make you feel uncomfortable.
Turn off cooking appliances when not in use to avoid unnecessary heat.
Instead, you can cook outside or plan meals that don’t need to be cooked, such as salads.
Everything you need to know about cooking at the campsite in hot weather at a glance:

  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcoholic & caffeinated drinks
  • Plan easily digestible & not too heavy meals
  • Switch off cooking appliances, cook outside or plan uncooked meals

Use a cool box to keep food and drinks cool.
You can find such a cool box here in the store: Cool box 35L, Cool box 50L or Cool box with compressor 40 L.
You can also briefly cool items of clothing in the cool box to provide additional cooling.
This is a particularly good tip before going sheep walking.

Sleep: reduce heat at night

Just before you go to sleep, it’s worth airing out the interior.
It’s best to do this when it’s already a little cooler.
Otherwise, you can also leave your door ajar during the night or sleep in front of your tent, camper van or roof tent under the open sky.
Another option is a hammock, if this is allowed on your campsite.
Tip!
You can find a hammock and suspension system here in the store: Hammock and hammock straps.
If you do sleep inside, you can convert a hot water bottle into a cool bottle, for example.
Simply fill it with cold water and a few ice cubes.
You can also use a sheet or a thin linen sleeping bag for the night so that you are not quite so warm.
These tips will keep you pleasantly cool at night:

  • Ventilate the interior shortly before going to bed
  • Leave the door open or sleep under the open sky
  • Use hammock outside (if permitted)
  • Fill hot water bottle with cold water & ice cubes
  • Use a sheet or thin linen sleeping bag

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Interior view of the Skycamp 3.0 roof tent with sleeping bags and fairy lights

Camping with a dog: looking after your four-legged friend in the heat

Camping with your dog can be a challenge in the heat.
It’s important to make sure your four-legged companion drinks enough and doesn’t get overheated.
Make sure you always have enough water with you for your dog and that he has access to fresh water.
If your dog doesn’t want to drink enough water, you can offer them a bowl of cool water or put some water on their food to make sure they are hydrated.
Another way to help your dog in the heat is to give them a shower.
A cool shower can help cool your dog down and lower their body temperature.
If you don’t have access to a suitable shower, you can also fill a bucket with cold water and cool your dog down with a sponge or watering can.
To ensure that your four-legged family member is also well, you should pay attention to these things:

  • Important: provide sufficient water
  • Alternatively, you can add water to the food
  • A cool shower can help to refresh your dog in the heat
  • No shower: bucket with cold water & sponge or watering can

Tip!
If you would like to make your own shower, you can find suitable instructions here: Showers when camping.

Sun protection: also important for dogs!

Remember that dogs also need protection from the sun.
If you spend time outdoors, make sure your dog stays in the shade or uses a cover.
If it’s too hot, you should also avoid strenuous activity for your dog and instead plan calmer activities such as walks in the shady woods or swimming in cool water.
In general, it’s important to monitor your dog’s body language to make sure they are comfortable and not overheating.
If your dog shows signs of overheating, such as heavy panting or weakness, you should move them to a cooler place and offer them plenty of water.
If it gets really bad, then you should make your way to the vet.
Sun protection is important!
Here you can find out how to protect your dog from the sun:

  • Make sure your dog stays in the shade or uses a cover
  • Quieter activities, such as walks in the shade or swimming
  • Look out for signs of overheating, such as heavy panting or weakness
  • Signs of overheating?
    Cooler place & enough water for the dog

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