Want to know about the best fans for van life? Before you hit the road in your van, make sure you read this and install a decent ventilation system.
Do you find it hot and stuffy in your van or rv? Well, you’re not alone! Many people who travel or camp in vans find that they need to install a fan to get some ventilation or temperature control without leaving the doors open. You just don’t get the airflow you would in a pop up camper.
Whether you’re looking for some extra cooling power inside your campervan, want to circulate air, or simply want more ventilation without having to open up windows or doors, fans are a great solution for a camper van conversion.
But with so many different types of fans on the market, which one is the best for van life? In this article, we’ll take a look at three popular types of fans – pedestal fans, mounted gimbal fans, and vented roof fans – and see how they compare.
Vans get hot and sweaty, even when its cool!
If you travel or camp in a van, chances are that you will need to install some sort of fan to keep cool. Vans can get hot and stuffy, even when it is cool, and especially if they don’t have any windows or ventilation holes.
Even if you are camping in cooler climates or over winter in your van or rv, you will still need ventilation to provide you with safe breathing air overnight (and lets not even mention if your van features a toilet!)
Ultimately though, without refrigerated air conditioning, leaving a window or door open is the most effective way to rapidly cool the temperature inside of a camper van and let out radiant heat (the fans can only do so much!).
One aspect in the design phase of a DIY camper van conversion that could really help is to use a van with a high ceiling, such as the Mercedes Sprinter.
Benefits of using fans
Let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits of having one installed in your van or rv:
- Increased air flow – air movement helps keep you cool during hot weather or when driving through areas with high temperature
- Improved air quality – increased airflow means less stagnant air and reduces the risk of mould formation and foul smells
- Reduced driver fatigue – by reducing the temperature and humidity in the van, fans can help to keep you more alert while driving
- Fresh air – fans can help direct fresh air into the van from windows or vents.
- Prevent condensation – proper ventilation and fresh air will help to stop moisture building up on windows, walls and ceilings which can lead to mould and mildew growth
- Fans are a cheaper alternative to using an air conditioner
Fan options in camper vans
There are many different types of fans available on the market today, but three popular choices for van life enthusiasts are pedestal fans, mounted gimbal fans and vented fans.
Pedestal Fans
Pedestal fans are a popular choice for many people, as they offer good value for money. They’re usually cheaper than other types of fan, and they’re easy to install – you just need to find somewhere to put them. Pedestal fans also tend to be lightweight and portable, with a few settings for fan speed so they’re ideal for anyone who likes to travel and camp in their van on a budget.
Pedestal fans come in a range of different sizes, from small portable ones that fit on your dashboard, to larger ones that can be mounted on the roof or even outside of the vehicle.
Downsides to pedestal fans is they can be bulky and clutter up small spaces, and even on the highest setting they have very little power to combat those hot summer nights.
Gimbal Fans
Mounted gimbal fans are another popular choice for vans. They’re usually more expensive than pedestal fans, but they offer a much wider range of benefits.
For example, gimbal fans can be mounted to the ceiling or walls of your van and can be tilted in any direction you choose – this means that even if there’s no space on the floor for them, you’ll still have plenty of ventilation options.
They’re also easy to install and maintain, thanks to their low-maintenance design. They tend to last longer than pedestal fans too, because they can be mounted on the van roof up and out of the way leaving more living space. They are more likely to come with fancy features like being a remote controlled fan, making them much more user friendly
Whilst gimbal fans are the superior choice over pedestal fans to move air around inside the cabin, unless you have an open window, they don’t really help with actually ventilating your van since they just circulate hot air around the cabin rather than drawing in cool air
Roof vent Fans
A roof vent fan is a great option for anyone who wants more air circulation inside their van without having any compromise on living space or loud motors – they provide maximum airflow while remaining completely concealed from view. They typically have an electric opener, rain shield, and you can barely hear when the fan running.
These types of fans are can be mounted directly into an existing hole in your van roof material (so there’s no need for extra drilling or cutting required during installation – and they can even be installed by non-professionals) or if you aren’t so lucky, they can be manually installed by cutting an appropriately sized hole in the van roof but this can be difficult to do yourself or expensive to have done. You want to ensure this is done properly with a rain cover!
However, despite the cost, vented fans are by far the best fans for van life – on hot days you will appreciate the ventilation as they pull air into the cabin.
What is the best fan for van life for you?
Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the best fans for van life. For example, pedestal fans, mounted gimbal fans and vented roof fans are all popular choices – but which one is right for you?
There is no right or wrong answer, and it depends on your needs! Van lifers all have different priorities
If cost is an issue then either pedestal or gimbal may suit, but if space and ventilation are what matters most then investing in a vented fan will pay off with their long-lasting durability, lower maintenance requirements and ability to safely ventilate the cabin.
Gimbal and roof fans come with some cool features too – like a remote control, automatic rain sensor, a built in thermostat and some can even automatically close, so if you value that tech then go for it!
How to choose a fan
When choosing a fan for your van, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Size – how much space do you have available?-
- Cost – is affordability an issue?
- Installation – can you install it yourself or will you need help?
- Vented or unvented – does your climate necessitate a vented fan?
- Power draw – Can it be powered by batteries or solar panels?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be able to choose the best fan for your needs! For example, pedestal fans are a popular choice because they’re affordable and easy to install, while gimbal fans offer more versatility as they can be mounted in any direction.
If ventilation is a priority then vented roof fans are the best option, but remember that they should be professionally installed to ensure they are safe to use and don’t rust out your van (electricity and water don’t mix!).
Summary
There are a variety of different fans available for those traveling and living in vans to help with temperature control, from small and affordable pedestal fans to larger and more versatile gimbal fans and then the purpose built roof vent fan.
They range from quite basic manually operated fans right through to fancy automatic fans that detecs rain and automatically close the roof fan vent hole! However, the best fan for van life ultimately depends on your specific needs and requirements. Consider size, cost, installation and climate before making your final decision!
They are… Fan Tastic…
Just remember, fans in vans have their limitations, and camping in vans in extremely hot summers might not be the greatest idea as even with ventilation it will still be a sweat box. Its best to time your adventures with favourable seasons to get the most enjoyment out of your Van.
