He later produced a video on the option he did choose. While here at Horton Common I provide 16A per pitch, that’s not the case on all sites and its especially not true on the continent. Extreme Weather Sleeping Bag – This is meant for those sub-zero nights. You will also want to put a thin layer of insulation over the hose because it will get very warm, therefore making your van warm. This article by Collyn Rivers shows how. However, both portable and built-in air conditioning setups produce fan noise. Below is the power requirements of some of the air conditioners discussed above. The Advent Complete RV air conditioner is available in white or black and performs well so you can keep cool and relaxed in your motorhome. However, it will get the job done for a reasonable price. While that may not seem sufficient to some people, I believe that can make a big difference to a comfortable internal environment. The Best Leisure Battery Chargers in 2021 for Caravans and Motorhomes. It is possible to run your air conditioner for extended periods of time while you free camp - purely from your 12v Battery. However, there are several compromises and obstacles to consider, beyond simply the cost. Wool Socks – Merino wool socks will do wonders for your feet. What is a Fully Serviced Caravan/Motorhome Pitch? If there is no room on your roof for an AC unit, or your roof is the wrong shape, an under bench air conditioner can be installed inside your vehicle. That, therefore, provides the option of remote monitoring and control with the Truma app. Because there are cons to go along with the pros of a cooler living environment. Therefore the Truma representative discuses with Dan the option of the Saphir air conditioning unit which can installed under the seating area, with ventilation pipes running along/within the caravan cupboards/lockers. These heat as well as cool. However, there is now another option from Dometic. In terms of disadvantages, there is obviously the cost. If you already have a Truma caravan heating system and latest control panel the air conditioner can be integrated into that same control panel. If you don’t want to lose the existing roof lights/vents on your caravan or motorhome the Truma Saphir or Dometic Freshwell maybe your best option. It has all the features a Fantastic Fan has along with the ability to keep the fan running when it’s closed, allowing air to circulate in the van. Dometic Brisk II Polar White Air Conditioner, Cost: $$$$ This image shows how the portable air conditioner hangs on the window frame outside: Image – Amazon.co.uk. It is primarily dependent on how much you are willing to spend and where you’re traveling to. Therefore, the connecting pipes/cables will likely have condensation on the surface during operation. Put a thick curtain or blanket behind the front seats in your van. Hence, you only have to take the air conditioner with you when you will need it. Say you burnt some toast and the fire detector is going off. Details about Dometic 640315C Penguin II campervan air conditioners. BTU: 12,000 Many cargo vans will have a built-in wall which will make this easier, but if not, you can install a rod or hooks to keep the curtain hanging. Motorhome rooftop air conditioners are not different from the ones used for other RV campers like pop-up campers, travel trailers or the ones in the sidewalls like Aliner has in their a-frame campers. Furthermore, they run on 12V power therefore you can run turbo vents just from the leisure battery. Campervan Air Conditioners: Staying Cool for Vanlife | Van life air conditioning: The challenge of cooling your... Read More. DISCLAIMER: The content of the blog on this website is for entertainment and general information purposes only, and should not be followed as professional advice. Furthermore, as Dan shows in the video above its iNet compatible. I’ve seen some camper van builds that use other types air conditioners in … Now in some instances, as discussed in the video below, a new hole can be made into the roof to accommodate the air conditioner. 5 Best Portable Air Conditioner for Pop Up Camper. How To Jack Up A Caravan Safely & Securely – Jacks, Hints & Tips, Caravan Corner Steady Servicing and Replacement – Tips on Grease Etc, Best Caravan Towing Mirrors in 2021? For a true air conditioner with a condenser/heat exchanger, the heat from inside the caravan/motorhome has to be exchanged to the outside environment. This Honeywell 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner for camper trailer is designed with a compact, lightweight, and portable build. How much does the air conditioner weigh, and how much power does it consume? However, this is a true ‘cooling’ solution that can reduce the interior temperature below that of the outdoor environment. A Fan-Tastic Fan is the key to keeping your van cool. With a cost of a few hundred pounds per turbo vent, they are amongst one of the cheapest options for reducing the interior temperature in a caravan or motorhome. You do also have to consider the impacts on payload and other issues such as weight distribution and caravan noseweights. Air-conditioning in a camper van sounds like a great idea and there are many solutions available on the market. On a large twin axle caravan, the impact of the air conditioner on payload/noseweight may be insignificant. Air conditioning units for pop up campers and travel trailers, priced at anything between $200 and $1500, depending on the brand and BTUs, are not too pricey. Secondly, as its portable, you could easily sell it on separately. On more than a few occasions when I've gone to meet our guests after arriving here at Horton Common I've come across them trying to fit an AL-KO wheel lock to their caravan and I've heard various... How To Go Off-Grid In A Caravan/Motorhome - You Need To Plan Ahead. However, there are potential issues with the roof-mount units as well which I’ll discuss below. Many thanks for reading, this was a long post, so I’m impressed you stuck with it until the end. If you get a little warm in this sleeping bag, you can unzip the bottom to let your feet cool off. A typical example of a Fiamma turbo vent (40cmx40cm) which are available in a range of different sizes: Image – Amazon.co.uk. We really do stress to new van lifers how important a fan is to your comfort, plus, it also aids when cooking inside to get rid of any smells. Hence, if you visit Amazon through one of our links and decide to purchase a product we receive a small commission with no additional cost to you. The number one key to staying warm is installing quality insulation in your van. Nobody wants to lay around in a sticky hot, sweaty mess, and you shouldn’t have to! However, for this particular guest that was not an option they wanted to take. However, they are also portable air conditioning setups which you may feel best suits your budget. The only portable air conditioning unit specifically for caravans and motorhomes that I’m currently aware of is produced by a company called Eurom. Below is a video from the YouTuber Dan Trudgian and an interview he conducted with a Truma representative on air conditioners. They offer the FreshLight which is an air conditioner which comes with an integrated roof light. This Enerdrive 12v Lithium Battery Setup will allow you to run your air conditioner and other heavy amp drawing 240v appliances without the need for a generator or mains power - making caravanning a lot more comfortable. Watts: runs between 1,000 and 1,500. To start off the discussion on what might be the best air conditioning setup for your caravan or motorhome is a video from Practical Motorhome. The hOmeLabs Window Air Conditioner is one of the best-selling ac units. Because Zero Breeze Z19-B Portable Air Conditioner is designed for campers, this model is also eminently portable. You will, therefore, have more payload capacity for other personal items. I discuss this same issue in my posts on kettles and microwaves. However, van lifers usually don’t stay in areas where they are constantly hooked up to electricity so other solutions are needed. Therefore, this is an option Dan didn’t decide to take. With a well-insulated van and a fan, you can manage to stay very cool and comfortable. And of course, nothing ever beats parking beneath a nice shady tree! A window ac unit in your van isn’t the most attractive looking option or the most stealthy option either, but if you’re on a budget it’s a good solution. For instance, there is a portable air conditioner set up to consider which is a cheaper solution. If your not comfortable in your home on wheels, you won’t want to spend any time in it, which will only make you miserable! Luckily, it’s pretty simple to install RV air conditioner units, and can be done with basic hand tools. Best battery for campervan electrical systems & power storage | What does a campervan leisure battery, aka house battery,... Read More. No matter how well you insulate your van, it will never have the same insulation properties of a house. Advent Complete RV Air Conditioner at a Glance : Installation Type: Non-ducted (ducted kit available) It can also stay open while driving, while the fantastic fan cannot. Our friend @brisbanegirlinavan mentioned that she is always looking for shady areas to park and she often keeps all windows and doors open to allow for air circulation. Furthermore, both the boxes of the portable air conditioner have condensation (condensate) traps. The cooler indeed forms a picturesque silhouette thanks to the attractive modern design. As of yet, I’ve not actually seen any of our guests arrive and set up a portable air conditioning unit. It can generate quite a bit of cold air and is efficient in doing so. About Guchen 12V 24V DC Powered Parking Truck Air Conditioning Manufacturer. Definitely interested in hearing other ideas on how to cool camper van — please add a comment below. As seen in the video above, this portable air conditioner has two boxes linked together by what can really only be described as an umbilical cord. Horton Common features five hard standing fully serviced pitches for caravans and motorhomes. Hence, why there are two boxes, one which sits inside and one which hangs on the outside of the vehicle. CamelBak 40oz Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Water Bottle – In the winter, fill an insulated water bottle with warm water and put it in your sleeping bag. Even if you can afford these more expensive and more efficient built-in air conditioning units, please note their electric consumption. First, the portable air conditioner is not able to produce the equivalent cooling power to the built-in units from Truma and Dometic. 12 Sep 2020. Therefore, check with your insurance company on their thoughts before you opt for a portable air conditioner. Here comes below are the pros and cons of the portable air conditioner for camper trailer. Secondly, the portable air conditioner is not as efficient when you look at the ratio of cooling capacity to power use. What do I mean by expensive? However, there are several compromises and obstacles to consider, beyond simply the cost. Truma also produces water pumps and other accessories. It is not uncommon that, in some vehicles, you need more than one air conditioning unit. Removing the Old Air Conditioner. With a maxium power draw of 3amps at 12V, that’s just 36W of power at maxium fan speed. However, you will lose quite a bit of internal storage space. You may therefore still reasonably consider air conditioning optional instead of essential. Rooftop – Roof air-conditioners are the most common type of AC used by people with RV’s. The obvious benefit of opting for a built-in air conditioner for your caravan or motorhome is the minimal impact if any on the use/function of the living space. When it comes to professional/built-in air conditioners for caravans or motorhomes to two main brands involved are Dometic and Truma. Cost: $$$ Within the video above Dan learns that due to the construction of his particular Bailey caravan a roof-mounted Truma air conditioner is not possible by replacing his existing roof light. Weighing only 12.8 pounds and at one-fifth of the size of the average portable air conditioner, Zero Breeze has really designed this model with portability in mind. Koldfront WTC8001W Air Conditioner will take care of the family or guests whatever the weather is. 2. BTU: 13,500 Therefore, instead of going for a portable or built-in air conditioner, you may want to consider a turbo vent. Now, a turbo vent doesnt feature any sort of heat exchange/condenser which you find in a proper air conditioner. Even less so for some large motorhomes and motorhomes with high payloads such as van conversions. To create, curate, and share the most comprehensive and inspiring van life adventures. The most common manufacturer of turbo vents is Fiamma. I remember having a conversation with one guest to Horton Common in the past who was considering a roof-mounted air conditioner. hOmeLabs Window Air Conditioner. Now, I know many guests who have spent between £1,000 and £2,000 on a motor mover. The Dometic FreshLight is the most expensive roof-mounted air conditioner I’ve come across in the range of £2,500-£3,000. Shortly after, presuming the toast isn’t still burning the smoke detector alarm should turn off. Well, there is obviously no large boxes hanging on the outside of your van or your kitchen worktop in the case of a portable air conditioner. If you’re traveling to incredibly hot places regularly, a portable ac unit for your van is an absolute lifesaver. In choosing air conditioner, better be looking for one that is easy to operate with all its smart features like this Koldfront WTC8001W Air Conditioner. However, as Dan had the installation carried out at his local dealership, they have provided a warranty for this work. Another advantage of the Fiamma turbo vent besides just keeping cool is the benefit of rapid ventilation. Other Types of Air Conditioners for Camper Vans. So our first piece of advice on staying cool when the temperatures rise, is to drive where the cool comfortable weather is! Heated Throw Electric Blanket – A heated blanket is a life saver in the cold winter months. Watts: 460 when running. The Truma brand offer s a range of air conditioning solutions for you and your camper vehicle.. Fiamma also produces other caravan and motorhome accessories such as roll-out caravan awnings and motorhome awnings. Also don’t be afraid to bundle up. Begin by turning off the air conditioner and unplugging your RV from all power sources. I hope you found it useful and I also hope at some point in the near future you will consider coming to visit us here at Horton Common. Main purpose of this article was to address the question “does air conditioning work with pop up camper or not”. One of the most important things about living in your van is staying comfortable. They were concerned with the air-conditioner fitted, inside their caravan would feel very dark. Furthermore, as Dan states in the video above, the water ingress warranty will not cover any additional holes in the bodywork. This fan is a bit more expensive, but a great alternative to the Fantastic Fan. BTU: 5,000 They come in varying styles and can be installed in both ducted and non-ducted methods. The best location will depend on your caravan’s layout. Below, I now want to discuss each option in a bit more detail and with a few more examples/videos. However, their cost is not insignificant at £2K+. Graham provides some really good feedback on the performance of the portable air conditioner. Sometimes a fan or a shady parking spot isn’t going to do the trick, which is why we recommend an air conditioning unit. The above video does a good job of providing a brief overview of the different cooling options for a caravan/motorhome. And of course, our biggest piece of advice: if the weather gets chilly, be a snowbird and fly(drive) south! My point is, don’t presume your pitch power supply on all campsites is the same, as that’s often not true. Our air con units can be fitted Roof top and bench type (under bunk) with the options to run from 240v mains or 12volt DC inverter kits keeping your caravan, motorhome or campervan cool with our air conditioning systems. Furthermore, they actually have a higher cooling capacity. Otherwise, you may just want to try increasing the ventilation in your caravan or motorhome with a Turbo Vent and see how you get on. Cold air will get into your van through the front because of the windshield and windows. Now, while this is an option you could consider, whether its your best option will depend on your budget. Summer is officially here, and the temperature has soared over the last few weeks (sorry to anyone shivering in the Northern Hemisphere). However, you will typically use a motor mover on every trip and many people now view motor movers as essential accessories. In fact, these models don’t even work with the piping, but instead, blow air out the bottom of the air conditioner itself. Air conditioning for motorhomes and caravans High humidity and high temperature can lead to discomfort and sleepless night's in motorhomes, caravans or campers. However, with air conditioning, you may only use it occasionally. Period. Keep in mind that this does not actually blow cold air – it reduces the temperature through water evaporation. First, it will be conditional on an annual professional caravan service or motorhome habitation check. Caravan Corner Steady Leg Locks – Suitable Security Protection? For air conditioning a caravan, the most efficient air conditioners are reverse cycle units. It will bring down the temperature a few degrees, which is worth the money for most. 1. However, as you would expect there are conditions. . The vehicle's length should influence the choice of your air conditioner, more powerful RV air conditioners are needed for larger RVs with more internal space. A big downside to this ac unit is it takes up a ton of space in your van. The outside box will just drip onto the ground. Small Portable – Portable air-conditioners are self-contained units that are used to cool a single room, with the advantage of being movable. You would need a bank of solar panels on a very sunny day to provide enough power. Therefore, if the cost is a consideration, as it is for most people, they may just simply not be a viable option. We have a few guests who are repeat visitors to Horton Common every year who have air conditioning installed. First, the window when the air conditioner is fitted will always be slightly open. This top-tier, low-profile (9.5” high) camper van air conditioner has a smooth and glossy style that offers advanced aerodynamics and high-end comfort control. But, if you need air conditioning for your camper, it becomes much more difficult. There are plenty of ways to stay cool in your van. Roof mounted air conditioning units can be used but many feel reluctant to spend £2,500 to have a 45kg a/c unit affixed to the top of their van and rightly worry about recouping their investment when selling or trading-in. They’re affordable, stealthy, they’re not clunky and won’t take up space, and they’re not difficult to install. It will typically be able to reduce the interior temperature to 6-7 degrees Celcius below the outdoor temperature. As stated above, while a Turbo Vent will consume just 36W at 12V and can run from the leisure battery, that’s not the case with an air conditioning unit. Finally, you are going to lose some interior space. So the last thing I want to discuss in this post is about the topic of power consumption with regards to portable and built-in air conditioning units for caravans and motorhomes. Being comfortable will give you a much better nights sleep and make any long road trip go much smoother. Wool Blanket – This is a 4.4 lb blanket, so you shouldn’t be shivering too much. You’ll be surprised with its supercharged motor and fan that delivers an excellent cooling capacity. And while yes it can get pretty warm here at Horton Common in the middle of summer, that’s not why they had air conditioning installed. So what does the above tell us? The next step is the RV air conditioner install. (Or even worse, send you back to a house that doesn’t even move!) What is also interesting to note is that the Dometic Freshlight has the same cooling performance as the Truma Aventa Compact Plus. Hence why the range of turbo vents on offer match the sizes of common roof lights/vents found in caravans and motorhomes. Having air conditioning in your caravan or motorhome is possible via a number of different solutions. Having air conditioning in your caravan or motorhome is possible via a number of different solutions. If you believe that adding one or more turbo vents to your caravan or motorhome is just not going to provide you with the cooling performance your after, the next step up is a portable air conditioning unit. There are a ton of options for heating and air conditioning your camper van when encountering inclement weather. Wear some warm socks to bed, a hoodie, and a beanie to keep your head warm. Truma Air Conditioning and Accessories . This AC is great because it’s affordable and only uses 102 watts of power. And sure, van life has some trade-offs to living in a house, but being comfortable shouldn’t be one of them! An affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and other sites. Hate to break it to you but that is a fact. However, its less practical and takes up living space. Though, if you have the resources available and you can afford built-in air conditioning it does create a very comfortable living/sleeping environment in the hot summer months. Hi, I’m Chris, along with my father Robert we operate and maintain Horton Common Caravan Site. Mr. Heater Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater – A radiant heater is well worth the money if you will be traveling to really cold destinations. Well depending on the specific model you could be looking at a total install cost of between £1,500 to £3,000. On the other hand, if you have a smaller camper, there’s no reason to worry about controlling temperatures in multiple rooms and non-ducted air conditioner should work fine. One of the many things I find remarkable in this unit is its solid 13,500 BTU cooling capacity. The portable nature of this air conditioning setup obviously in an of its self has advantages. A light-colored van won’t absorb as much heat. In terms of Tuma’s air conditioning offerings, they are very similar to that of Dometic. Since it’s on the roof, it doesn’t take up space in your van, and it doesn’t take up precious window viewing space like the option below. However, with the interior box, you will need to remember to empty the condensate container. How To Fit AL-KO Wheel Locks To Single & Twin Axle Caravans. Similar to the window ac unit, this unit isn’t traditionally used in a camper van. This Dometic AC unit is the most ideal way to keep your conversion van cool. If you have a 3-way fridge in your caravan or motorhome, it works on the same principle. Of course, purchasing an A/C for your camper is only half the battle. On average UK warm spring and potentially even summer days the temperature inside the caravan/motorhome maybe just a few degrees above a temperature you would be comfortable with. The other solutions will … If you are traveling in an area that is primarily hot, paint your van white, or at least the roof. 28 Jul 2020. However, whichever air conditioning set up you think maybe best for your caravan or motorhome there are two important questions. This is quite a bit more than their Fresh Jet 1700 above which is typically found for around £1,700. Therefore, the first question you really need to ask your self is, do you really need air conditioning? Located in the Staffordshire Moorlands Horton Common benefits from expansive views over the Peak District National Park. In terms of pure cooling capacity/performance and efficiency, the most expensive built-in air conditioners from Truma and Dometic come out on top, as you would and should expect. Air conditioning a caravan or motorhome is becoming increasingly feasible, even via solar. They were fully aware of all the pros and cons, power consumption, impact on payload etc. Therefore, until climate change takes more of hold on the UK climate and our summers are commonly above 30 degrees Celcius you may want to carefully consider if you actually want/need air conditioning. With this portable air conditioner, one box sits inside the caravan/motorhome and the second box hangs on the window frame outside: Image – Amazon.co.uk. Roof vent fans are the most popular form of air conditioning for a camper van. Now, while you may be familiar with roof-mounted air conditioners for caravans and motorhomes as you will see below they are not the only option. For instance, there is a portable air conditioner set up to consider which is a cheaper solution. Horton Common Caravan Site - Lask Edge Road, Lask Edge, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8QS, link to How To Fit AL-KO Wheel Locks To Single & Twin Axle Caravans, link to How To Go Off-Grid In A Caravan/Motorhome - You Need To Plan Ahead, Introduction to Air Conditioning for Caravans and Motorhomes, Portable Air Conditioning Setups for Caravans and Motorhomes, Portable Air Conditioner Advantages/Disadvantages, Replacing a Roof Light with an Air Conditioner, Truma Built-in/Roof-Mounted Air Conditioners, Truma Roof-Mounted Air Conditioner Installation, Roof-Mounted Air Conditioner Advantages/Disadvantages, Conclusions on The Best Air Conditioners for Caravans and Motorhomes. The hOmeLabs Window Air Conditioner is one of the best-selling ac units. Yes, the noise from the fans is a consideration. By going through this guide i am sure it has been answered in best possible way. Don’t worry… we don’t like spam either! This means feeling the highs and the lows of the temperature, which can be difficult to get accustomed to at first. Watts: runs between 1,500 and 1,800 watts. The bottom line on those 120 volt AC-powered rooftop air conditioners is that you really need shore power or a generator to run them consistently for any length of time. For instance, on a small single axle caravan, the impact could be significant. As I stated at the top of this post when it comes to this category of air conditioner for caravans and motorhomes, your best options are really from Dometic and Truma. It has some great features such as a rain sensor that will automatically close the vent when it gets wet, reversible air flow, a thermostat, and a remote. Since they’re just fans, they don’t generate cold air like some of the other options, but with the reverse airflow, they can blow the hot air out of your van quickly. Therefore, the portable air conditioner limits your use of the cooker etc. Truma is another brand you will likely be familiar with when it comes to caravan and motorhome accessories. So the last option you could consider which maybe your best option depending on your budget and circumstances is a built-in/roof-mounted air conditioner. Join our community to stay up to date with everything going on in the world of van life. This isn’t an ideal way to cool a camper van, and it’s not quite as powerful as some other options, but it gets the job done, and certainly brings out the spirit of a DIY van conversion. While yes, technically with a 12V to 230V inverter you could power these air conditioners from your leisure battery it wouldn’t last long. This isn’t an ideal way to cool a camper van, and it’s not quite as powerful as some other options, but it gets the job done, and certainly brings out the spirit of a DIY van conversion. However, the Freshlight (950W) consumes less power than the Compact Plus (1012W). Hence, it will pull out the hottest air hanging around the ceiling and in turn draw into the vehicle cooler air from ground level through the floor vents etc. It just so happens that the Caravan Vlogger aka Graham owns such a unit which he takes on trips to the south of France.