Campervan Air Flow - Kea Nomad type Sprinter - Owners Feedback
RoboLB said
02:15 PM May 29, 2022
I posted recently about the option of replacing the 'fixed' rear side windows, with windows that can be opened, to get some airflow.
But for those with Merc Sprinter type campervans, what is your 'system' for getting some airflow in the van during warm weather?
All of the rentals, and vans I have seen for sale, have fixed non opening windows, except I think the AWD Jayco version.
So what's the trick? Fans, roof vent, leave the doors open at night?
(at a powered site there will be AC as an option of course)
Bicyclecamper said
02:31 PM May 29, 2022
If you can afford a Motorhome, with in built generator,( preferably diesel then that ,may solve your problem.
RoboLB said
02:35 PM May 29, 2022
Bicyclecamper wrote:
If you can afford a Motorhome, with in built generator,( preferably diesel then that ,may solve your problem.
Indeed it would.
But we prefer a smaller van. It suits our use. Short trips of just a few days.
Easy parking in towns, and we spend more time on the road than static. Only 1 night anywhere, arrive later set off early....
Lots of day trips etc.
Smaller in our case just works better.
Wouldn't want anything larger than a Sprinter (2+1 kea nomad type layout)
We're actually keen on the Fiat Ducato (AVAN or AVIDA) which is slightly smaller, but they are hard to find 2nd hand and have long waiting lists new..
Loads of Merc Sprinters around 2nd hand. I could get one tomorrow. But the darn windows don't open. That's the only negative for us.
So just curious how existing owners manage..
-- Edited by RoboLB on Sunday 29th of May 2022 02:42:50 PM
hufnpuf said
05:30 PM May 29, 2022
I don't have a camper van, I have a caravan. It has the type of window you posted in your other thread (with the feet in the photo). The windows open outwards, but if you don't want the world seeing in when you have lights on, having the blind up blocks airflow. My previous poptop had good airflow through the "windows" in the poptop part, the caravan is quite hot in comparison. I think they expect airflow to be maintained through the airconditioner. I haven't had it long to figure it out yet. It may be that the "sprinter people" expect airflow to come from the airconditioner. If they are European, they probably don't have in mind our stinking hot summers where breeze is king.
PeterInSa said
05:58 PM May 29, 2022
We have a Sprinter that started life as a Van converted to Campervan by a Caravan Manufacturer as a prototype and has caravan wind out windows. In no way would Margaret sleep in the Sprinter in the rear without her having access to the wind out window on her side. Our Sprinter has a drop down table to make up the Bed in the rear, I like it because it gives us more room in the day, especially if we have visitors/its wet or or. Front passenger seat like most, swivels around to the rear..
RoboLB said
07:17 PM May 29, 2022
hufnpuf wrote:
I don't have a camper van, I have a caravan. It has the type of window you posted in your other thread (with the feet in the photo). The windows open outwards, but if you don't want the world seeing in when you have lights on, having the blind up blocks airflow. My previous poptop had good airflow through the "windows" in the poptop part, the caravan is quite hot in comparison. I think they expect airflow to be maintained through the airconditioner. I haven't had it long to figure it out yet. It may be that the "sprinter people" expect airflow to come from the airconditioner. If they are European, they probably don't have in mind our stinking hot summers where breeze is king.
Yes it's puzzling isn't it?
Stop for a quick picnic..........fire up the generator and aircon.........or open a window? Hmmmm.
In the rental van we used (with the feet) once we were in bed with the lights out we opened the windows and latched them open a couple of inches, with just the flyscreens not the blinds.
It was really nice to have that fresh airflow across the van at bed height.
RoboLB said
07:18 PM May 29, 2022
PeterInSa wrote:
We have a Sprinter that started life as a Van converted to Campervan by a Caravan Manufacturer as a prototype and has caravan wind out windows. In no way would Margaret sleep in the Sprinter in the rear without her having access to the wind out window on her side. Our Sprinter has a drop down table to make up the Bed in the rear, I like it because it gives us more room in the day, especially if we have visitors/its wet or or. Front passenger seat like most, swivels around to the rear..
I'm with Margaret re the fresh air!
RoboLB said
07:22 PM May 29, 2022
Would love to hear from some KEA Nomad owners.
What's the trick to getting fresh airflow into the van?
If I can work it out I might buy one......
hufnpuf said
07:49 PM May 29, 2022
RoboLB wrote:
It was really nice to have that fresh airflow across the van at bed height.
Yes. The other thing with the opening out windows is that you have to fiddlefaddle with the blind if you want to close them in the early morning if it gets chilly. With my poptop that had windout windows, I could just use the winder without messing with the curtains or flyscreens. The flyscreens also covered the whole window. The slideup blind/flyscreen combo isn't sealed at the sides.
Buzz Lightbulb said
11:00 AM May 30, 2022
hufnpuf wrote:
RoboLB wrote:
It was really nice to have that fresh airflow across the van at bed height.
Yes. The other thing with the opening out windows is that you have to fiddlefaddle with the blind if you want to close them in the early morning if it gets chilly. With my poptop that had windout windows, I could just use the winder without messing with the curtains or flyscreens. The flyscreens also covered the whole window. The slideup blind/flyscreen combo isn't sealed at the sides.
That's a very similar setup to our home. We replaced the nylon flyscreens with security flyscreens. They are marine grade stainless steel and supposedly discourage people from getting in through them. We feel safe sleeping at night with the windows open with those security flyscreens.
RoboLB said
11:35 AM May 30, 2022
Hopefully some KEA Nomad owners will chime in.
I really would like to hear how they cope with that particular van.
Or maybe they are more of a rental van design?
montie said
01:11 PM May 30, 2022
Sliding windows with fly screens can be fitted to the Nomad at around $2200 each.
RoboLB said
03:22 PM May 30, 2022
montie wrote:
Sliding windows with fly screens can be fitted to the Nomad at around $2200 each.
Ah good to know! Thanks Montie.
Opens up our options a bit.
Blues Man said
07:37 AM May 31, 2022
The rear window in our M/H is for fire escape only.
RoboLB said
09:00 PM Dec 1, 2022
Our Merc Sprinter now has rear side sliding windows (with fly screens).
Thanks to KEA in Melbourne. All done in a day for under $2,500 the pair.
Good excuse for a run to Melbourne and back........
I posted recently about the option of replacing the 'fixed' rear side windows, with windows that can be opened, to get some airflow.
But for those with Merc Sprinter type campervans, what is your 'system' for getting some airflow in the van during warm weather?
All of the rentals, and vans I have seen for sale, have fixed non opening windows, except I think the AWD Jayco version.
So what's the trick? Fans, roof vent, leave the doors open at night?
(at a powered site there will be AC as an option of course)
Indeed it would.
But we prefer a smaller van. It suits our use. Short trips of just a few days.
Easy parking in towns, and we spend more time on the road than static. Only 1 night anywhere, arrive later set off early....
Lots of day trips etc.
Smaller in our case just works better.
Wouldn't want anything larger than a Sprinter (2+1 kea nomad type layout)
We're actually keen on the Fiat Ducato (AVAN or AVIDA) which is slightly smaller, but they are hard to find 2nd hand and have long waiting lists new..
Loads of Merc Sprinters around 2nd hand. I could get one tomorrow. But the darn windows don't open. That's the only negative for us.
So just curious how existing owners manage..
-- Edited by RoboLB on Sunday 29th of May 2022 02:42:50 PM
I don't have a camper van, I have a caravan. It has the type of window you posted in your other thread (with the feet in the photo). The windows open outwards, but if you don't want the world seeing in when you have lights on, having the blind up blocks airflow. My previous poptop had good airflow through the "windows" in the poptop part, the caravan is quite hot in comparison. I think they expect airflow to be maintained through the airconditioner. I haven't had it long to figure it out yet. It may be that the "sprinter people" expect airflow to come from the airconditioner. If they are European, they probably don't have in mind our stinking hot summers where breeze is king.
Yes it's puzzling isn't it?
Stop for a quick picnic..........fire up the generator and aircon.........or open a window? Hmmmm.
In the rental van we used (with the feet) once we were in bed with the lights out we opened the windows and latched them open a couple of inches, with just the flyscreens not the blinds.
It was really nice to have that fresh airflow across the van at bed height.
I'm with Margaret re the fresh air!
What's the trick to getting fresh airflow into the van?
If I can work it out I might buy one......
Yes. The other thing with the opening out windows is that you have to fiddlefaddle with the blind if you want to close them in the early morning if it gets chilly. With my poptop that had windout windows, I could just use the winder without messing with the curtains or flyscreens. The flyscreens also covered the whole window. The slideup blind/flyscreen combo isn't sealed at the sides.
That's a very similar setup to our home. We replaced the nylon flyscreens with security flyscreens. They are marine grade stainless steel and supposedly discourage people from getting in through them. We feel safe sleeping at night with the windows open with those security flyscreens.
I really would like to hear how they cope with that particular van.
Or maybe they are more of a rental van design?
Ah good to know! Thanks Montie.
Opens up our options a bit.
The rear window in our M/H is for fire escape only.
Our Merc Sprinter now has rear side sliding windows (with fly screens).
Thanks to KEA in Melbourne.
All done in a day for under $2,500 the pair.
Good excuse for a run to Melbourne and back........