Van Colour versus internal temp (1 Viewer)

Jul 28, 2021
44
12
Funster No
83,013
MH
Carthago 143 LE Comp
Exp
Newbie
I'm new to all this and on the brink of ordering a Malibu 640 Le rb van. Only thing left to spec is colour. I love black but have conflicting advice from dealers as to the effect on internal temperatures if we're in a hot climate. Does the insulation negate the effect of the colour or should we go lighter? It'll have aircon in the back as well.
 
Aug 26, 2008
4,755
24,840
B&NES
Funster No
3,823
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
since 2007
I have a black van I use for work. It’s a window van the same as my previous white one.

Black is horrendous in the heat, you can burn yourself on the paint if the subs been on it. Go silver
Agreed. The other reason I chose silver or aluminium grey as Fiat called it (extra cost option) is that is doesn't show the dirt as much as plain white. Keeping a black PVC looking all nice and shiny must be a full-time hobby in itself. If you have OCD you could end up dragged away by the chaps in white coats!
 

phillipsheila

Free Member
Jun 23, 2020
1,356
3,340
Swansea, Wales, UK
Funster No
72,143
MH
autotrail 660se
Exp
since 2000. 18 motorhomes and counting
In summer a black van will definitly be warmer, unless you are in Wales (y)

Have found our pvc is hotter but we can open back and side doors so not that bothered about it being black
and as we live in wales it help to keep us warm:LOL:

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Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,618
66,416
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Darker colours definitely 'absorb' the heat more than lighter coloured ones and the insulation in a van isn't anywhere near as good as a coachbuilt. Dark colours look great but can be a pain to keep clean as they show every mark, especially water stains from the filler point. I'd always go light blue/white/silver etc.

The other thing to be aware of with a PVC is that when the weather is hot you should NOT touch any of the exposed metal inside, eg door edges, surrounds etc, as the heat can transfer through and they can be nearly as hot as the outside ... I had a few instances when I inadvertently touched the inside top of the rear doors and it flipping hurts!
 
Jul 18, 2009
11,136
17,700
Manchester UK + Javea/Xabia Spain + Abu Dhabi
Funster No
7,543
MH
HYMER B644
Exp
2004
I have a black van I use for work. It’s a window van the same as my previous white one.

Black is horrendous in the heat, you can burn yourself on the paint if the subs been on it. Go silver
I meant Sun!

Also, black will show the scratches and polish swirls very easily.
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,286
49,202
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Ever wondered why?

444eb42a6d54bedb24e31b1562f17a9e.jpg
 
Oct 29, 2008
5,056
5,902
West Yorkshire
Funster No
4,712
MH
PVC
Exp
since 2008
I have a very dark colour van and have used it at +35deg with no major issues. Bare in mind panelvans have a wide sliding door and 2 big rear doors plus all the windows to let air in. Plus a good set of <Broken link removed> like these makes a massive difference
20210330_102152.jpg

2021-04-16 15.24.05.jpg

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EzeeRider

Free Member
Sep 12, 2007
377
514
Funster No
275
MH
C Class
Exp
Since 2001
I have a black van I use for work. It’s a window van the same as my previous white one.

Black is horrendous in the heat, you can burn yourself on the paint if the subs been on it. Go silver
Totally agree, I worked in the mIddle East for a number of years and dark coloured vehicles were strictly a no no.
ezee
 
Sep 17, 2017
5,401
10,081
Birmingham, UK
Funster No
50,575
MH
A-Class
Exp
2017
Dark colours absorb radiation. But they also radiate it better.

In hot countries, people wear dark because it keeps them cooler, provided they sit in the shade... If you're in the sun, lighter colours are better.

Probably less important, but in cold climates, black will radiate off your heat quicker overnight.
 

John Barrett

Free Member
Jan 19, 2020
1,963
15,246
Hamble, Southampton.
Funster No
68,164
MH
One Eyed in Hamble!
Exp
Since 2012
Dark colours absorb radiation. But they also radiate it better.

In hot countries, people wear dark because it keeps them cooler, provided they sit in the shade... If you're in the sun, lighter colours are better.

Probably less important, but in cold climates, black will radiate off your heat quicker overnight.
Who remembers doing this experiment at school?

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May 7, 2016
7,226
11,686
West Sussex
Funster No
42,951
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 2003
In theory black not only absorbs more heat than white but it also radiates heat better than white. This means that a black vehicle not only heats up quicker than a white one in summer but could lose heat quicker in winter when you are trying to stay warm.

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Jun 8, 2019
4,931
18,759
Bexley Kent
Funster No
61,505
MH
Given up Motorhoming
Exp
May 2019
Bloody Covid I couldn’t say as I’ve not had chance to test mine properly 😭😭😭😂😂😂
 

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