Hi everyone,So glad we found this website! We just bought our first camper ever, a Jayco Baja 10y, and we are super stoked!!! We just bought the camper from Wisconsin and some family members of mine (I am originally from Wisco while he is a Texas native) will be driving it down for a vaca while on "delivery" We will get it on the 30th and I cant hardly wait I am so excited!!!We are in our late 20s and early 30s, have no kids, live in Corpus Christi, TX, and love to explore. We do a lot of fishing down on the National Seashore and that is why we bought the baja version.The man is a little bothered, ok very bothered, that it did not come with an A/C unit so I told him that I would buy one for him since he coordinated this whole camper thing. (I didnt want to lose the sale over it since I feel we got a pretty good deal at $5400 for a 2007 Baja 10y). Any suggestions you have for me on this A/C search and install would be amazing. Im hoping not to have to spend a million dollars for it. I would like to expand his camping adventures outside of Texas also so this I guess is a must have in order for me to do the convincingHe is also a modifications addict! He bought a 2014 Toyota Tacoma Baja and has put about 4k into mods between the roof and shark rack he is having built to lighting. I would say he is obsessed. I feel this adventure will be headed down the same trail. Since I know his obsession I have created a group for people to share their mods called "Modifications, Upgrades, & Advice" please join and share. I will post as he Modifies our camper as I am sure it will be nothing short of COMPLETELY different by the time he is done with it lol.Our first mini trip will be to New Braunfels, TX for "Rock the River" music fest on Aug 9th so we are STOKED!! I also started a group called "Texas Camping" looking for any people with experience and advice who have camped Texas. Also interested is any camping areas in or near New Braunfels that you suggest for our first adventure.Well, looking forward to learning from and sharing with all of you!! Let the exploration begin!!Ryan & Terri

Air conditioner is very easy if the camper has A/C prep (it would be pre-wired); the A/C can often mount over a center roof vent---- A/C prep is mostly the wiring--- so it can it can still be modified--- I've heard different stories regarding weight and roof structure (A/C prep does not include a difference in roof structure)- there a couple models with the abs roof (I.e. Coleman) which do not recomend A/C's---- you will find very few pop-ups with A/C's in the northern states because there is so much ventilation and our evenings cool off more so than in the south

My experience with RV-type, roof-mount A/C units, although limited, has not been a good one, particularly in areas where there is considerable humidity. Our gently-used Viking came with an 11K BTU Dometic DuoTherm on it, and it was fine here in Arizona... fine, that is, until the temps topped 95°, and then it really struggled. We took a trip over to the coast, up around Big Sur, and although the temps stayed in the mid-80s, the humidity was surprisingly high for the week we were there, and again, while there was a cool stream of air directly beneath the unti, the DuoTherm was hard-pressed to keep the entire interior comfortable, especially in our bunk area at night. We did a little research and discovered that Dometic makes a heartier 15K model for about $900, but having just bought the PUP, we really didn't want to spend that much. Plus, the bigger model weighs more and takes up more space up there on the roof. We also discovered that a ±75 pound roof-mount unit, besides requiring a bit more elbow grease to crank-up the pop-up, interferes with the ability to use the center rear-view mirror, and extended side-views just seem to be a bit of over-kill for a pop-up. Anyway, we removed the roof-mount unit and filled the hole with an awesome, light-weight, low-profile, 2-way, 3-speed fan / skylight that runs on 12V, and bought a 5K BTU portable window A/C unit that's smaller and lighter than a mid-size microwave that we can mount on foldable sawhorses right outside the screened window in our bunk area - it's just us and a Chihuahua... no kids. It's quiet, cools us off when and where we need it, and it runs perfectly off our little 1KW generator. Bottom line... we're kinda lovin' it.I'll follow this thread with interest to see what you decide, and how "extreme" your husband gets with the solution... because I know one thing you'll have to deal with anywhere along that gorgeous Gulf Coast is humidity!

Thanks for post!!! If the portable A/C unit is outside, how do you keep the air from dispersing out there instead of right in the screen tent? Is this portable A/C thing made for camping? Im picturing a normal small window unit for a house lol...I still dont know of all of these accessories.

Terri... you gotta think "Redneck"... since the A/C unit sits about 4 inches from the outside of the screen when it's set up, I found it fairly easy to fashion a "collector vent" of sorts out of poster board and duct tape, which, when attached to the front of the unit, is positioned so that it presses firmly against the screen. To visualize this homegrown affair, try to imagine the forward "barrel" portion of your favorite hand-held hair dryer, only instead of it being cylindrical and made of plastic, this one is rectangular and made of poster board... oh, and it blows cold instead of hot air. We're rarely laying around inside the PUP during the heat of the day, so the only time (so far) when cooling has been critical has been at night, and we've found this set-up to be really quite nice.The unit itself is as you jokingly suspected, a 5K BTU window unit for a house! Home Depot sells them for just over $100, it's 17 x 11 x 12 (W,H,D), rated for 150 square feet, which more than covers our 6 x 7 bunk area (with curtains drawn), and at 40 lbs, it weighs half of what the roof-mount does. Best part is that it draws only 550 watts of power, an easy load for our little 1KW genny.Next time I get a chance, I'll snap a photo of it all set up... it's not nearly as "Tobacco Road" as it may sound... actually, I'd say it's more "Beverly Hillbillys"... if you even old enough to make that kind of distinction. ;)

Funny! That is what I was picturing when I asked however, I wasnt sure if there was some special contraption actually made for this lol! Thank you for the info!!! I found this one below. What do you think about a scratch and dent. Says no returns...not sure if that also means no warranty which would be my only concern really.http://www.rvpartscountry.com/Dometic-Duo-Therm-BRISK-2-AIR-RV-Air-Conditioner-15000-BTU-SD.html#tab-1

Newbies from Corpus Christi, TX | Good Sam Community

fmattox73
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
I haven't seen any mention of a smaller than 13.5K AC.
I put a Coleman Mach8 9.2 BTU from PPL on my Palimino Y4124
PU and it works fine up out of the desert. Down in the desert
it still keeps things cool enough to work on readying the
PU for the next trip.

FLMJ
bondebond
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014
Good luck with the window unit. I think it will be one of those "better than nothing" situations. There doesn't seem to be many window units that will get close to the 13,500 or 15,000 BTU RV air conditioners, and the 12,000 BTU window units weigh a modest 60+ pounds and $300+. A Coleman Mach 3 13.5K costs $450 plus shipping gets you to $574 delivered to your front door. Or a Duo Therm Brisk Air II 15k BTU is $545 delivered.

Regardless, still do the Reflectix and Gizmos and other heat avoidance strategies.

Where I camp in Arkansas and Texas, it is a necessity to have air conditioning during the summer because of the heat but more so the humidity. Last week the heat index was 114 degrees in my shop. At least with an AC in the PUP, I can sleep in comfort. The rest of the time, it's get out and go.
werleyr20
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
Wow, this is a lot of GOOD info!!! Thank you everyone for taking the time. I think my conclusion is to purchase the "house" A/C unit and rig it. It it doesnt work then oh well, I can sell it on Craigslist without much of a loss. I think that is probably better then buying a 7-900 roof top unit only to realize that it doesnt cool down much anyway.

Most of our camping in the summer will be on the national seashore so we will need to use our generator for this. During the hot months when we travel we will probably just hook up to electric sites in order to use this. The rest of the year when its comfortable and we dont need A/C we will go off the grid. Seems to be the most efficient plan I can come up with.

We will definitely purchase the Gizmos for the roof tops. Was thinking of cutting the Reflectix stuff to put in between the window and screen as I saw someone else do that.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Jul 21, 2014
One other thing that was touched on but not specifically spelled out. You need to be able to plug the trailer into a power outlet like at home in order for the AC to work. It will not work on the battery power of the trailer. So if you're camping in normal tenting spots or on the beach your air conditioner will not work.

To have air conditioner work you will need to either be at a campground that offers electrical hookup, or you will need top also purchase a generator to carry with you to power the AC.
bondebond
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
First, welcome aboard. We're glad to have you.

For an air conditioner, it is not too hard to install yourself, which will save you $300-400. You can go with either 13.5K BTU or 15K BTU. Even though at only a 10ft box, I would suggest the 15K if you can swing it.
A Coleman or Duotherm are brands to go with but my recomendation would be Coleman. I love my Carrier AirV but unfortunately, Carrier got out of the roof-top air conditioner business.
One of the most reputable and more affordable places to get an AC is at www.pplmotorhomes.com, and specifically here for air conditioners.
Your roof should already have a 14"x14" vent or hole in it that these air conditions utilize. Then, find the 20 amp 120v power outlet inside and plug in the AC.

Other options do exist but I have yet to hear of anyone who says they perform as well as or better than a roof top unit.

Shielding is very important as happybooker1 points out. Popup Gizmos found here are worth every penny. Finding shade will help greatly help keep the temps down inside.
I had to spend several weeks one year in Arkansas on a black, freshly laid asphalt surface when air temps were 102 and 107 degrees on the shady side of my PUP after it had soaked up heat all day. I also used a silvery tarp attached to the roof and anchored to the ground on the western side to provide some shaded relief.
With the Popup gizmos and tarp, the A/C was able to keep the interior in the low to mid 80s during the worst part of the day. Not cozy but tolerable. Thankfully, it pulled a lot of humidity out of the air.

On the front of Modifications (yes, I capitalized on purpose), check out a post of mine here and some additional photos here but be careful. It is also very addicting and can be expensive!
happybooker1
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
Werleyr20, I had a pop-up for 3 years & I'm North of Houston. First, you need to decide WHERE you're more likely to camp the majority of the time: in campgrounds or State Parks with water/electric hookups, or in the "boonies"/National Forests with NO hookups? And normally in campgrounds/State Parks they have a "quiet time" where NO generator use is allowed. It's usually 7 or 8 PM to 6,7, or 8 AM. So while you are trying to sleep, you won't be using the AC at all. Water/electric sites prevent this.

Then you can address the issue of what type of AC you want. Having the standard RV/Pop Up AC mounted on the roof is convenient, but they are not all that efficient, and they DO add to the weight of the roof. Also, where they are mounted there is a GIANT hole cut into your roof, which may start leaking in the future. And you need to find out: is your roof MADE to add an AC structurally? Is the wiring already there? Is the breaker already installed in the panel? Just some things to think about.

Or can you live with a regular house/room AC being jury-rigged somehow to cool the Pup? I HAVE even seen ones mounted under the bed area by just cutting a hole in the Pup side and installing the AC with foam around it when you get to the park.

Pop Up with AC

The next thing you will HAVE to get is Pop Up Gizmos, which are covers for the beds that you clip on when you get to the site. Some people make their own. You can also use sheets of Reflectix, which is silvery insulation you can buy at Home Depot or the like.

Pop Up Gizmos

As my son and I camped ONLY during the summer in Texas, Arkansas and Florida -- I have MUCH experience in trying to keep cool in a Pop Up!
RimCountry
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
All things being equal, I'd say that's a really good price for a really good product. I can't imagine that 15K BTUs wouldn't be enough to at least wring some of the salt out of that sultry summer Gulf air. Setting aside my remarks about the rear-view mirror blockage and the additional effort required to crank up the additional weight, bear in mind that unless you plan on being connected to shore power, the unit specs say that you're going to need at least a 3.5K generator, and that's a big boy... and you know the kind of noises big boys can make.

As for the lack of a warranty, I don't know... that's kind of risky, especially considering that you're about to permanently modify your PUP. It's kinda like a having your high school sweetheart's name tattooed on your butt... you really better think twice. In the 35 years that we've been married, among myriad other minor catastrophes, Suzy & I have experienced two earthquakes and one house fire, all up close and personal... we survived, even though the houses didn't, but it would have been a whole lot harder if we hadn't had insurance. So, when it comes to things like warranties, Murphy's Law has made a believer out of me!
werleyr20
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
Funny! That is what I was picturing when I asked however, I wasnt sure if there was some special contraption actually made for this lol! Thank you for the info!!! I found this one below. What do you think about a scratch and dent. Says no returns...not sure if that also means no warranty which would be my only concern really.

http://www.rvpartscountry.com/Dometic-Duo-Therm-BRISK-2-AIR-RV-Air-Conditioner-15000-BTU-SD.html#tab-1
RimCountry
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
Terri... you gotta think "Redneck"... since the A/C unit sits about 4 inches from the outside of the screen when it's set up, I found it fairly easy to fashion a "collector vent" of sorts out of poster board and duct tape, which, when attached to the front of the unit, is positioned so that it presses firmly against the screen.

To visualize this homegrown affair, try to imagine the forward "barrel" portion of your favorite hand-held hair dryer, only instead of it being cylindrical and made of plastic, this one is rectangular and made of poster board... oh, and it blows cold instead of hot air.

We're rarely laying around inside the PUP during the heat of the day, so the only time (so far) when cooling has been critical has been at night, and we've found this set-up to be really quite nice.

The unit itself is as you jokingly suspected, a 5K BTU window unit for a house! Home Depot sells them for just over $100, it's 17 x 11 x 12 (W,H,D), rated for 150 square feet, which more than covers our 6 x 7 bunk area (with curtains drawn), and at 40 lbs, it weighs half of what the roof-mount does. Best part is that it draws only 550 watts of power, an easy load for our little 1KW genny.

Next time I get a chance, I'll snap a photo of it all set up... it's not nearly as "Tobacco Road" as it may sound... actually, I'd say it's more "Beverly Hillbillys"... if you even old enough to make that kind of distinction. ;)
werleyr20
Explorer
Jul 20, 2014
Thanks for post!!! If the portable A/C unit is outside, how do you keep the air from dispersing out there instead of right in the screen tent? Is this portable A/C thing made for camping? Im picturing a normal small window unit for a house lol...I still dont know of all of these accessories.

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