Air conditioning needed?

Yes you do

We had bought our first rv as a used pop-up. Palomino. Didn't think we needed AC and the price was good. It was fine for traveling in the maritimes. Then we decided to take a long road trip to virginia beach and stay some time in Washington, D.C. . Realized that we would need a AC united for that trip. Well buying a rv AC unit is ridiculously expensive. Looked at lots of mods that other people have done. My DH didn't want to cut into the trailer box for these mods. I ended up bringing our portable AC from home. On it's back, I could store it in the popup for travel. At the campsites, I could put it up on cabinet by the door. Just vented into a window screen and zipped the vinyl window around it. Worked pretty well. Could get the popup down to about 82*f on the over 100*. Days.
I made sure that our next rv (a HTT) had AC. So, yes given the opportunity, I would suggest buying a popup that has one already, even if you end up only needing it once... But I wouldn't spend over $450 more for it, because you can buy a portable AC for less than that, if needed.

I wouldn't be without air conditioning in a popup or any other RV. I would probably try to rig AC for a tent. It removes humidity, cools the air, and most importantly drowns out the other noises in the campground at night. Especially the drunks.

manualman wrote:
My perspective is different. I'd take AC if you gave it to me, but it ain't worth any of MY money. Why?

1. I like that I can tow and see behind me with my regular rear view mirror. AC would block that entirely.
2. So you set up the camper in that 100 degree heat. Awesome. Now what? You gonna just sit in there all day? For us, the camper is for sleeping and rain shelter, period. We don't plan trips where 90+ is likely. It's no fun even if you DO have AC, so why go? You gonna hike in 95? Bike? It's too hot for any of the fun stuff we go camping FOR! We tend to camp April to mid June, then Sept through early November. July and August are only if we are headed for mountains (long trip from IL!) No AC necessary.

Your location also makes a big difference. In Florida, if you don't camp during 90 degree + days, that's a large part of the year. We had 90s in December (and our home A/C quit - Thanks Murphy!). Florida is loaded with springs, which are 72 degrees year round. Great to play in during the day.

Night is another story. It's not only hot during the Summer, but also VERY humid, and the mosquitoes can be bad at dusk.

I've camped here for many years, with and without A/C. I rarely see people camping here during the Summer without A/C. I don't blame them. Sleeping in a puddle of sweat sucks. BTDT. But hey, whatever works for you!

My perspective is different. I'd take AC if you gave it to me, but it ain't worth any of MY money. Why?

1. I like that I can tow and see behind me with my regular rear view mirror. AC would block that entirely.
2. So you set up the camper in that 100 degree heat. Awesome. Now what? You gonna just sit in there all day? For us, the camper is for sleeping and rain shelter, period. We don't plan trips where 90+ is likely. It's no fun even if you DO have AC, so why go? You gonna hike in 95? Bike? It's too hot for any of the fun stuff we go camping FOR! We tend to camp April to mid June, then Sept through early November. July and August are only if we are headed for mountains (long trip from IL!) No AC necessary.

2manytoyz wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:


Looks like Long key State park? Nice

Exactly right, good eye!

2001 trip

2002 trip

2005 trip

Great campground, I'm ready to go back.

Been there, done that! It is a unique spot that I enjoyed several times in the not so recent past.

Merrykalia wrote:

Mike Up wrote:
wife hated the Pop Up because she woke sweating from the green house affect of the sun beating down on the bunkend.

This is why you need the POPUP Gizmos or homemade ones. They give another layer of insulation and shield from the sun OR cold weather.

Not only do we use the PUGS, but we cut some Reflectix material from Home Depot and put it in the bunk end zip-up windows. It not only helps with blocking out the heat from the sun and helps keep it cooler during the day, it will also block out the early morning sun and keep it darker inside allowing the family to sleep better.

Good for me because since I'm an early riser, I can get up and have my coffee without interruption...well before the family wakes up and chaos takes over.

Mike Up wrote:
wife hated the Pop Up because she woke sweating from the green house affect of the sun beating down on the bunkend.

This is why you need the POPUP Gizmos or homemade ones. They give another layer of insulation and shield from the sun OR cold weather.

Yes, you'll need Air conditioning!!

Even with A/C, wife hated the Pop Up because she woke sweating from the green house affect of the sun beating down on the bunkend.

I have to agree with her, but it doesn't bother me that much since I like tent camping, which she hates. The heat literally beats down on your face in the bunkend while the air conditioning is blowing. The joys of sleeping under a tent. :)

When sitting in the main box, with all the windows open, it's like sitting outside. So if you don't do good outside in the 90s and low 100s, you'll still need A/C.

If your like us, and don't live in the sweltering heat, you'll need A/C. Our preferred temps are 60 - 80 degrees. Anything in the 80s and above is HOT!

Merrykalia wrote:
It can also be used to block outside noises, too.

We used ours on several occasions when we were near other campers that decided to stay up most of the night drinking and playing cards outside. Turned on the fan on the A/C unit since it was only 60 or so and it drowned them out pretty well.

This X2, we dont have the PUP anymore, but we were miserable trying to spend time in it when it was hot and humid. You will not regret having an AC unit.