Ventilation whilst stopping on Aires (1 Viewer)

[Hellski]

Good morning one and all, my wife and I will be embarking on our first of hopefully many French tours next week. Our only plan is the train booking their and back and we will basically go wherever the sun is shining.

Now, I don't want this to turn into a gassing thread and this may be considered a silly question by many but with security in mind I just wanted to enquiry with you knowledgeable folk what you do for ventilation, whilst parked up overnight at an Aire (we will not be using any motorway stop overs!).

Thank you in advance for your input

 

[Nik]

Hi
We've toured France using Aires for the past couple of years.
Never had any problems and you will enjoy the freedom over there.
We usually have the windows just cracked on the first opening but will have the roof vents open. Unless thieves bring a ladder we are safe.
I bought 'Lock-M-Out' window safety things for our last trip just for extra security and they work when the windows are on the first opening so no one can get in. All good so far.
Enjoy and safe travels.
Nik.

 

[Zigisla]

Tilt the skylights. We have four plus the bathroom one so with a few on the vent setting there is enough draw to keep a breeze flowing.

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[Kirsten]

We have often left the windows in the overhang open, both when in bed and out of van. Always feel safe in aires ( or we don't stay in that one). Also roof lights open- many times still been hot! And back window as bike rack in wat it can't open more than 3 inches. Have fab time

 

[Floydster]

Endless breeze fan on the shelf at the bottom of the bed works well for us, with the skylights open.
I have got a 12v socket fitted on the unit by the hob to power it.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you get a USB fan for your phone charger, they only take 0.1 amps.

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[magicsurfbus]

We've usually part-opened the window or roof vent nearest to our heads, but left the mesh across to keep the bugglies out. The rest stay shut. Old MH had a Luton so we were high up, current MH has a detachable rear ladder, which we leave off to keep the roof as secure as possible.

 

[KeithChesterfield]

Try and park where there is the most shade, open the skylights, put the fly screens across them and don't have a curry before retiring.

And you'll be fine.

Whether on Campsites or designated Aires then you'll almost certainly not have a problem with security - we never have and many a time we're the only ones on site.

Relax, meander and have a good holiday.

 

[Zepp]

Another vote for the endless breeze fan here .

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[Minxy]

Roof vents partially open and also one or both of our rear door windows slightly open ... bike rack prevents it being open more than a couple of inches (we keep the bike rack in the closed position with a lock on it). Never have any other windows open, not even on 'night latch' as it would be too easy for someone to slide something under and push the latches open, even with Lock-m-outs on as they could be slide sideways to remove them IMV.

 

[WillH]

You will almost certainly not have a problem but if you are the slightest bit concerned move on, or use a campsite. We have occasionally looked at a place and thought no, doesn't feel right and gone somewhere else.

 

[pyro]

We have a roof vent fan fitted, reversible flow, directly over the bed.

We also have a 12v plug in effort for when we are just kicking back, reading, drinking or watching TV

One of my personal criteria for stopping overnight is not to stop anywhere where I wouldn't feel happy to leave the bathroom window open all night. I don't do so usually, but if the answer is no, then I move on

Not had any problems yet (touching wood)

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[Dorwyn]

On an aires in SW France. Storm was starting as we went to bed last night, after a very hot day. Turned out it was just a very strong wind, but the sky had looked very fierce, so didn't want to leave the skylights up in case it rained. Bad mistake. woke up later absolutely cooked, part the heat and part from a tummy problem. So elected to open vents, plus the window by our heads, with the flyscreen down, and this reduced the temperature in the van just about sufficient to go back to sleep. I do have a usb fan which started out very quiet, but now makes a gentle noise, but Mrs Dorwyn can't stand it. Tonight we'll have everything open!

 

[Hellski]

Wow, thank you to everyone that has posted with their advice

We have an Omnivent fitted, so will have this switched to extraction mode with both roof lights cracked open. We also purchased a Transcool last year from the Stafford show but not had to use it yet, so will be interesting to see how it performs.

We both feel very reassured thanks to you all and getting extremely excited

 

[Allanm]

We try and keep the blinds down as much as possible during the day if we aren't travelling and park in a shady spot unless we need the sun to shine on the solar panel
At night, we have all the skylights open and a couple of side windows open a touch to get a through draught.
Been doing this for donkeys years with never a problem.
Have fun on your trip

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[Dorwyn]

For keeping the van cool, awning out is good cos it keeps that side van wall cooler. Also when poss keep a good draught going through, in our case, side door open and rear doors too. This also means that flies etc come in one door and out the other, not hanging around, whereas if you have screens over doors and they can get in, but they can't get out, so hang around and annoy or bite. Just our findings at the mo.

 

[The Nomad]

Also if you can park up with the habitation door side of the MH not facing the sun the MH should stay cooler. We find that helps a lot...as well as our fridge being on the same side as the hab door so it being on the shaded side helps it work a lot better in hot sunny weather.

 

[Dorwyn]

Also if you can park up with the habitation door side of the MH not facing the sun the MH should stay cooler. We find that helps a lot...as well as our fridge being on the same side as the hab door so it being on the shaded side helps it work a lot better in hot sunny weather.

Agreed

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[Littlewheels]

For keeping the van cool, awning out is good cos it keeps that side van wall cooler. Also when poss keep a good draught going through, in our case, side door open and rear doors too. This also means that flies etc come in one door and out the other, not hanging around, whereas if you have screens over doors and they can get in, but they can't get out, so hang around and annoy or bite. Just our findings at the mo.

Good idea,but!! What about those super intelligent Mosquitoes? They don't fly in and fly out they hide to come out later and create havoc!! They come in for the attack and though you see them you can never find them,clever little critters.

 

[Dorwyn]

Good idea,but!! What about those super intelligent Mosquitoes? They don't fly in and fly out they hide to come out later and create havoc!! They come in for the attack and though you see them you can never find them,clever little critters.

Luckily none at the mo. Amazing coz last time we were here we got well bitten. I hadn't thought in my posting to add a mozzy warning, thought that one goes without saying. Self preservation before ventilation.

 

[138go]

Fly screens on all the windows and roof vents and a nice fan to move the air round. Two speed and multidirectional. One in the main part one in the bedroom.

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[dabhand]

Don't fart in the van, you should be ok, I've gassed a few others though when I've been in their vans I'm sad to say!

 

[Abacist]

A fart a day

Don't fart in the van, you should be ok, I've gassed a few others though when I've been in their vans I'm sad to say!

will keep the mozzies away

Well it's a good excuse to relax a bit!

 

[Cat53]

Lots of fans and roof vents open. We also put our windows on 'slightly open lock. Relax and have a super time.

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[Lenny HB]

We have a Fantastic vent, have it extracting set on low and rooflight over the bed on vent. We get a nice cool breeze over the beds and once the van cools down the thermostat in the Fantastic vent turns the fan off. Get a good nights sleep even when its in the 30's.

 

[maison]

Good idea,but!! What about those super intelligent Mosquitoes? They don't fly in and fly out they hide to come out later and create havoc!! They come in for the attack and though you see them you can never find them,clever little critters.

When we give our dog her final walk of the day we close up the motorhome and spray mosquito killer as we close the door on leaving. The length of walk allows the smell of the spray to dissipate while we are out. That seems to take care of the little blighters.

We would agree with the previous posts, window nearest bed on first catch, rooflights open with insect screens drawn and if you don't feel comfortable, security wise, move on.