Guide
Campervan & RV Shade: Plan Your Pitch with the Sun Path
Arrive in the shade at noon and you often end up in full sun by the afternoon. This guide shows how ShadowFinder lets you see where the shadow travels during the day — before you park your motorhome, campervan, caravan or tent.
Try it right away — with the vehicle model and your own location:
Calculate the shadow for my locationWhy pitches are harder than they look
The sun moves roughly 15 degrees west every hour, and the shadow turns with it. A tree that covers the whole vehicle at 11 am sits far behind the neighbouring pitch by 4 pm. At the same time shadows grow much longer towards the evening because the sun is lower — a tree or building further away can suddenly shade you after all.
Then there is the classic camper conflict: the interior should stay cool, while the roof solar panels want as much sun as possible. You can only plan for both if you know the daily path before you settle in.
Planning your pitch with ShadowFinder
- Capture location and orientation. Open the app on the pitch and allow location and motion access. The sun arc is calculated for your exact position, and the compass aligns the view with the direction your phone is facing.
- Pick the vehicle model. Tap the object in the centre until the camper appears. The shadow is then calculated for a box-shaped body — realistic for a motorhome, panel van or caravan rather than a tree.
- Sweep through the day. Drag the time slider from sunrise to sunset. Pay special attention to 2 pm–6 pm, when a vehicle heats up the most.
- Align the awning and seating area. Position the vehicle so the awning side is already shaded in the late afternoon. Then your seating stays cool even on days when the wind keeps the awning rolled in.
- Check tomorrow morning. Choose the next day, or a date further ahead, in the date field. For longer stays it pays to know whether the morning sun shines straight into the bedroom window.
Rules of thumb for vehicle orientation
- Hot summer days: long side wall facing north or east — the western afternoon sun then only hits the narrow rear.
- Cooler seasons: living side facing south or west, so the sun warms the interior and the solar panels.
- Solar system: a tall, open tree shading the roof around midday costs most of the daily yield — check the sun position between 11 am and 3 pm separately.
- Fridge side: turn the ventilation grilles out of the direct afternoon sun where possible.
Frequently asked questions
How should I park my campervan against afternoon heat?
Turn the long side wall and the living-area windows towards the east or north. The afternoon sun sits in the west and heats exactly the surface it faces longest. ShadowFinder shows you where the shadow will fall at 3, 5 and 7 pm before you park.
How do I work out the shadow cast by trees on a campsite?
Stand on the pitch, allow location access and drag the time slider through the day. ShadowFinder draws the direction and length of the shadow for every hour, so you can see whether the tree still covers your van in the afternoon or the shade has moved to the neighbouring pitch.
Shade or sun — what is better for roof solar panels?
The roof wants sun, the interior wants shade. A tall, open tree that shades the side of the vehicle in the late afternoon while leaving the roof clear around midday is a good compromise. Check the midday and late-afternoon sun positions separately.
Does it work without an internet connection?
Yes. After the first online start ShadowFinder works fully offline. Sun position and shadow are calculated on the device itself — ideal for remote pitches without reception.
Try it right away — with the vehicle model and your own location:
Calculate the shadow now