Well, for offseason discussion, here's one...Our old camper in my sig had a short unfortunate encounter with something that smashed the AC unit beyond repair. Think I told the story on here, but, anyway, in 4 years of owning 2 different TCs, the only time We've needed the AC and planned to use it, was exactly the day after it got smushed in the middle of a 3 week trip. Haven't fixed it yet but need to. Was planning to replace with one of the low profile, low amp draw ones. Not terribly expensive, $8-900, cost isn't the issue, but being in the PNW and knowing most of our trips have and will be no AC needed,should I replace it, or drop another fan or skylight in it and call it good?I'm thinking as much for resale as for usefulness. I might sell it next week, or might have it for 5 more years. Just depends. TCs are a plentiful commodity up here and not of sentimental value.Knowing the potential for leaks, I guess, added height, more to repair, etc, do y'all think having a new AC on it would bring more value to the camper than the difference between replacing it vs a fan or skylight?

Hard call....we now mostly camp in the Northwest on the WA and OR coast. We rarely use or need to use our air conditioner. I run it mostly just to "exercise" it and to see if it works.Needing an A/C mostly depends on where you camp. Replacing it would be expensive. If you are selling your rig...that might be a different story. If you don't replace it, just make sure that it is still sealed and doesn't leak in the rain.

For resale I don'r know if you can ask more for it because it has AC but you might have to take less because it doesn't have it. The AC increases the curb appeal to potential buyers.

I know when my AC on my off-road popup camper quits working I will not replace it...Most of our outings is off grid and never use the A/C much anymore... It also is very heavy for my POPUP roof crank-up DC Motor...I'm wanting to add some solar panels to the roof area and with the heavy 13,200BTU A/C up there I know the additional weight of the panels I want to install will be too much...We was never too much for air conditioning anyway haha... Always around alot of shade off-road along side of creek bed somewhere...Just my thoughts...Roy Ken

Doubt not having AC would affect resale value much. I bo think a used unit would not be too hard to find for your own use. A fantastic roof vent would also be an option

I replaced mine last year. I did go a couple of years without it working. There were a couple of times we didn't go somewhere because it was too hot. But we usually don't go where there are hookups unless we are traveling. Last year on the way back in Boise when it was 100. We were glad to have ac. You never know when a heat wave will hit us or if power is lost. I also added a heat strip, so it has backup heat as well. That's good if you have hookups and it isn't going to freeze. No heat goes to the basement.I think it makes sense to replace it. If you don't have it, it changes your flexibility.

Worth replacing AC unit on Arctic Fox or not? | Good Sam Community

adamis
Nomad II
Dec 28, 2016
I've been looking at this problem myself though my air conditioner actually still works but it is very tall (not low profile) and I don't like how it looks on the camper. I've actually had my eye on this kickstarter project:

Noria: Cool, Redefined

The goals on this project are pretty lofty as this looks to be a very compact AC unit but if they pull it off, I'm considering having my sheet metal shop build me a housing that could adapt this to my camper where the existing AC unit currently sits.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 27, 2016
I'm with the last few reccomendations. Vent fan it is.....and I'll keep an eye out for a cheap AC unit.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Dec 27, 2016
Install a vent and keep your eyes open for a good used unit.

That's what I did. Best $75 I ever spent. Even if it never works again I've gotten more than my money's worth out of it in the last two seasons.
whizbang
Explorer II
Dec 27, 2016
I agree with Bedlam. If you're not going to use it, don't install an air conditioner just for resale. Heck, many buyers here won't want ac.
Eric_Lisa
Explorer II
Dec 25, 2016
Trackrig wrote:
I was over the on the other side of the hills this summer at the hydro-plane races in the Tri-Cities where it was 105F, my AC ran for 14 hours a day for three days. You might venture a little further out someday and need it.

Bill

My thoughts as well. I don't use the AC much on the west side of the Cascades, but it is a life saver on any east of the mountains summertime travel.

I did install the optional heater element to our AC unit. When I am hooked up at a campground, I use their power to heat my camper rather than burning my propane.

Here's the thing.... We refer to truck campers as the 'versatile RV'. Do I use the AC on every trip? Nope. Does having the AC increase the versatility of my truck camper? Yup!

As for hydro races.... We used to be involved in hobby class racing (5 liter stock class) in the PNW. Pre-dates our truck camper and we had a tent. Makes us appreciate the camper now!

-Eric
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Dec 25, 2016
Grit dog wrote:

I'm thinking as much for resale as for usefulness. I might sell it next week, or might have it for 5 more years. Just depends. TCs are a plentiful commodity up here and not of sentimental value.

I certainly would not buy any RV without AC myself.
bumpy
burningman
Explorer II
Dec 24, 2016
Conconully! I used to have a place there right behind the Tamarack!

I'm with most of the others. Install a new A/C only if you want one. Don't bother doing it for resale.
Like has been mentioned, overall condition is everything on a used camper's value, not so much the particular options.
Everyone knows they can slap an A/C up there if they want one. If someone wants to haggle down for the lack of A/C, go down a bit and still break even because you didn't spend the money buying a new unit yourself.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Dec 24, 2016
I was over the on the other side of the hills this summer at the hydro-plane races in the Tri-Cities where it was 105F, my AC ran for 14 hours a day for three days. You might venture a little further out someday and need it.

Bill
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 24, 2016
We use our AC often just because of where we travel. My generator had 275 hrs on it in less five years mainly due to AC use (just to give you an idea). We travel with dogs - Even if we are away from the camper, we need to keep them from overheating when left inside.

If you do not use the AC, I would not install one for resale purposes. Get a large diameter Fantastic Fan and oversized cover over the lid. This will allow you to run it rain or shine and not have to pay for the fancy one with rain detector and powered vent screw. Both our vents had covers which allowed us to leave them open while traveling and never having a musty or stale smells in the camper.
azdryheat
Explorer
Dec 24, 2016
You never know who your buyer will be, or where the camper will be used. If it were me I would put on the new A/C but have one with a heat pump in it. I like the idea of a heat pump that will also heat the camper and not use up the propane. If I ever replace my A/C's I'm going with heat pumps.

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