We've put together this handy guide to help you navigate the various ways to keep both you and your camper warm and cosy, whether you're driving or camping.
We'll cover heating solutions for all types of campers, whether you're driving a classic VW T2 Splitscreen, a modern VW Transporter, or even a converted Fiat Ducato.
We’ve been part of the VW community here in the UK since 1989, so we’ve definitely picked up a trick or two over the decades!
This guide will walk you through various heating options and techniques to keep your campervan toasty, covering everything from the original heating system to insulation and specialised curtains.
Why Does My Camper Get So Cold Overnight?
Without inspecting your camper, it's difficult to pinpoint the causes of heat loss. However, there are a few common areas that could be contributing. Let's explore some of the usual suspects that could be letting the warmth escape from your vehicle.
Windows:
Glass is a good thermal conductor, which means it will get cold when exposed to cold air, or hot when exposed to hot air.
At night, when temperatures drop, your camper's windows become cold as they're exposed to the cold outside air. When the warm air inside comes into contact with the cold glass, the heat is drawn out, cooling down the air inside your camper.
Later in this guide, we will explore some different options to help prevent this heat loss, including insulating curtains and thermomats.
Lack of insulation:
Like glass, metal is also a good conductor of thermal energy, which means that if you don’t have any insulation between the metal body of your camper and the interior, you’re going to lose heat quickly.
This works in much the same way as we discussed with glass, but you’ll be able to tackle it with more permanent solutions like insulation, which is covered further on in this article.
Draughts and damaged seals:
Your camper may also be losing warm air through small gaps or cracks in the seals around your windows and doors, allowing cold drafts to slip inside and letting the warmth escape.
It may take some time to properly check every seal on your vehicle, but replacing damaged seals and plugging up any gaps can make a huge difference to how well you’re able to maintain a comfortable temperature in your camper.
Using Your Camper’s Original Heating System
Your camper will come equipped with a basic heating system which operates while the engine is running, although if you’ve got an older vehicle, it may not be working at the moment!
This system is usually fine for short trips and mild weather, but it may not be good enough for extended stays or colder climates. It also has one fairly massive draw back in that it only works while the engine is running, which means it’s not really a viable option if you’re camping, except in emergencies.
If you do have an older camper and you’re looking to fix up the original heating system, then it’s not as intimidating as it seems – especially if you’re able to safely raise your campervan up to get access to the underneath. You can find information on this and all sorts of other jobs here at Just Kampers, as well as in essential books like the Robert Bentley official service manual and others.
Still, once everything is properly connected and functioning, your camper's original heater should be powerful enough to warm up the interior, clear any condensation, and help you melt the ice off the windows during the winter.
Pros:
• Utilises the vehicle’s existing engine heat,
• No additional installation required,
• Easy to control from the driver’s seat.
Cons:
• Only works when the engine is running,
• Uses your camper’s fuel which isn’t ideal,
• Your heating system may not be working if you’ve got an older camper.
Maintenance Tips for Your Original Camper Heating
• Regularly inspect your campervan’s heating system to ensure it's functioning correctly,
• Check that the cables are still properly connected, and haven’t frayed or snapped,
• Maintain your camper’s heat exchangers, to help them work as efficiently as possible,
• Keep the vents and ducts clean to maximise heat output.
Auxiliary Heaters for Your Camper
For more reliable and consistent heating which can be used while your engine is switched off, consider installing an auxiliary heater. There’s a few different types of auxiliary heaters available, each with its own benefits:
Diesel Heaters: These heaters run on your camper’s diesel fuel and can provide substantial heat without running the engine. Obviously these are only viable on more modern vehicles which run on diesel.
Gas Heaters: If you’d rather not put extra strain on your fuel tank, or your camper doesn’t run on diesel, then a gas heater might just be the answer for you. These are fuelled by propane or butane, and can be fitted anywhere inside or outside of your vehicle, which gives you a lot of options.
We’ve written an entirely separate post about how to decide which heater is right for you, as well as another post on installing auxiliary heaters, so make sure you check those out if you think this is the option for you.
Campervan Insulation
Proper insulation is crucial for retaining heat in your campervan – there’s no point fixing up your heating system, or investing in a new heater, if all that warmth is going to escape straight away.
Without adequate insulation, any heat generated will quickly be drawn out of your camper, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable interior temperature.
There are a whole host of different options when it comes to choosing the insulation material you’re going to use, each with slightly different properties. You’ll need to review what the best options are for your vehicle, budget, and needs.
If you’re looking for some additional information on the different types of insulation available, and how to fit them, take a look at JK's Guide to Insulating your Camper. We've got you covered.
Tips for Installing Insulation in Your Camper
Insulate the floor, walls, and ceiling of your campervan for maximum heat retention. This can be a challenging task if you’ve already got furniture, wood panelling, and seats installed, but is easy enough if you’re just starting out on your camper conversion journey.
You can use a combination of insulation types to address different areas and needs, if you find you need to.
Make sure you seal any gaps and cracks to prevent drafts and heat loss, and ensure that everything is waterproofed and sealed against water ingress. Getting moisture trapped in your vehicle will lead to all sorts of problems, from bad odours to rust and corrosion!
Securing Your Campervan’s Windows & Seals
The windows in your camper are a common source of heat loss, as the glass will conduct heat out of your camper quickly. Properly sealing your windows can significantly improve the warmth inside your camper, making it much more comfortable.
Similarly, worn or damaged seals around your windows will let draughts in and warmth out, so it’s important to check these regularly – especially on older campervans.
• Check for drafts around windows and doors and seal any gaps,
• Consider installing double-pane windows for better insulation,
• Use window film or thermal curtains for an extra layer of insulation.
Keeping the Heat in with Curtains
Since the windows on your camper are one of the main ways that you’ll lose heat, curtains are a great option to minimise heat loss.
We’ve got a great range of insulating blackout curtains for all kinds of different campervans, which are created with different layers to keep the warmth in and the light out.
Alternatively, providing you’ve got the materials and equipment, you can have a go at creating your own curtains with a layer of insulating material in the middle to help them retain more heat.
Benefits of Thermal Curtains
Heat Retention – Prevents heat loss through windows,
Privacy – Provides privacy while adding an insulating layer,
Noise Reduction – Helps reduce noise from outside.
Curtain Installation Tips
• Make sure the curtains cover the entire window area,
• Use curtain rods or tracks that allow the curtains to be easily opened and closed,
• Consider using magnetic or Velcro strips to secure the edges of the curtains for a better seal.
Thermomats, an Alternative to Curtains
If you don’t want to install curtains, or don’t want them there the whole time, then a set of thermomats might be the right option for you.
Thermomats are specially designed mats which are created to fit the size and shape of the windows in your camper, and create a barrier between the nice warm air in your camper and the cold glass of your window.
Inside each thermomat is several layers of insulation, and the side which faces out of your vehicle has a silvery reflective coating, to bounce sunlight away and prevent your vehicle from overheating in the summer, so they’re useful all year around!
Benefits of Thermomats
Easy to Install – They’ll fit into place with suction cups, which takes no time or effort,
Tailored to your windows – JK’s thermomats are already the correct size and shape,
Lightweight – Adds insulation without adding significant weight,
Easy to Store – Can be rolled away and tucked into their small storage bag,
Reflective – Helps retain heat by reflecting radiant heat back into the van.
A Quick Note on Insurance
Some of these options, such as installing a new auxiliary heater, will likely mean you’ll need to speak to your insurance company and update them about the changes made to your camper so that you’re properly covered.
Features like heaters are a great addition to your camper, so it makes sense to ensure they’re covered as part of your insurance policy.
This is easily done if you’re insured with Just Kampers Insurance, as they’ve been offering specialist vehicle cover to campervan owners since 1998.
In Conclusion
Keeping your campervan warm during the colder months is crucial for both comfort and safety, ensuring you can enjoy your vehicle all year round.
By understanding how heat escapes from your camper and the best ways to prevent it, you can create a cosy, inviting space that lets you make the most of your camper no matter the season.
From the original heating system to auxiliary heaters, proper insulation, and specialized curtains, there are numerous ways to maintain a warm interior. Additionally, ensuring your windows and seals are in good condition and using thermomats and thermo screens can really help keep the inside of your camper nice and warm.
You can find all of the parts and accessories you’ll need to transform your camper from draughty to cozy here at Just Kampers, as well as how-to videos on topics from fitting insulation through to installing a new heater.
