Popup Campers and Air Conditioning Options

We just absolutely love our popup camper, and a few reasons why is that we can control the air temperature within the walls of the camper 90% of the time. You may ask why only 90% well because it gets cold here like freezing, but not as harsh as in Minnesota. Burr!

This also includes those hot and humid days in Kansas. They almost feel like we are living in Florida or next to the ocean and can be unbearable sometimes. States like Kansas can be insufferable during the summer months and many tent campers forgo camping in 90-to-100-degree weather with additional humidity factors and who could blame them.

We have had many questions as to how we stay cool or warm during fluctuating seasons. Questions like does the PUP camper really hold in the cold? Can you install a normal home AC unit? Can you install one yourself? The answers to all those questions are “Yes.”

Before you charge into a store a buy an air conditioning unit off the shelf there are a few crucial things that you need to consider. Some primary factors are wattage, where to install the AC, condensation drainage, and BTU just to name a few. In this article, we will answer some popular questions and explore all things that you need to understand before adding an air conditioner to a popup camper.

What types of air conditioning options are available?

There are three unique types of air conditioning that you can select from for your popup camper.

• Portable units
• Rooftop units
• Window units

Which type of air conditioning is best for your PUP?

So, with this question you need to really think about several factors:

• What is the actual size of your popup camper’s cabin?
• What type of air conditioning unit do you want vs need? This is all about BTU units! The bigger, the colder, and the heavier!
• Permanent or portable?
• Where will this air conditioning unit go? On the roof, the sidewalls of the PUP, or on the countertop?
• Will you pay someone to install it or DIY it?
• Budget? Good air conditioning units cost a pretty penny and installation will be at least half that. Not to mention running into decaying or rotting sidewalls, floors, and roof damage just to name a few if you do it yourself.
• Electrical source? Will you hard wire it to your camper’s electrical system or use a separate line to plug into shore energy.   

This is the time to do your research and determine whether your abilities, budget, and popup camper can tolerate an air conditioner. Consequently, acknowledging your needs before installation. I could go over the pros and cons but that is each their own. What one person hates another one loves. So, I choose to give you straightforward and honest Q&As.

Can you DIY this?

Yes, if you’re a DIY-er, on a budget, or just not willing to pay for someone to charge you $200 just to cut a hole and add the $100 air conditioning unit to top that off. But if you feel unsure or uncertain about your skills then grab a professional to do some of the work for you.

Power requirements for a popup camper air conditioning unit

Popup campers’ biggest energy eaters are the appliances like the refrigerator and the air conditioner. Using battery, shore power or a generator will still cost you more in money, supplies, time, and set up if you don’t pick the right type of air conditioning unit for you and your PUP camper.

Boondocking

Boondocking can be a challenge and cost a pretty penny depending on your air conditioner’s wattage and personal use. Because boondocking requires you to use your battery and an additional source of energy like a generator or solar power instead of shore power you are left with minimal options. Larger air conditioning units may not be as convenient if you are a regular boon docker. I would choose a rooftop unit with an energy source with lower wattage and BTU.

Generators

The typical popup camper requires a smaller generator and can fully function between 1,500 to 3,000 watts. Some home air conditioning units may push the 3,500 watts and run past 5,000 watts. Your wattage requirements are completely determined by the size of your popup camper and your comfort level.

Understanding BTUs and air conditioning cost

What does BTU stand for? BTU is an acronym that stands for British Thermal Unit, it refers to the amount of energy necessary to increase the temperature of a pound of water by 1° Fahrenheit. This is a crucial measurement that is important to understand and carefully consider when picking out a heating or cooling system. If you fail to take BTU into account when you install an air condition unit, you could run the possibility of damaging the unit.

How Many BTUs Do You Need to Cool Your Camper?

One major thing to note is the size of your interior cabin. Depending on the volume of space in the cabin will vary for each air conditioner and its ability to cool the cabin down efficiently. BTUs required will vary depending on the type of unit you choose, for example, a rooftop, window, or portable unit.

When figuring out the number of BTUs you will require, there are a few more things to note besides the space in which you will need to cool.

• How many people will usually be camping? You must consider body heat for each individual in the camper.
• At what temperature will you be using the air conditioner? If the outside temperature is higher than 85 degrees, you run the chance of overheating your air conditioner if you don’t have enough BTUs.
• How long do you plan to use the air conditioner? All Day? Just a few hours?
• Will you have other heat sources like appliances on in the camper like a TV or refrigerator just to name a few? That includes cooking inside the camper.
• Is your camper in the shade or park in direct sunlight? this can cause a 20-degree variation between shade or direct sunlight which can create more work for your air conditioner.

So, how many watts does the average popup camper eat? 

• A 5000-BTU A/C will use around 300 to 400 watts for running.
• A 7000 BTU A/C will use around 500 to 600 watts for running
• A 1000 BTU A/C will use around 700 watts for running

BTU Calculator for Window Air Conditioners

The typical price for an air conditioner

When you are researching air conditioners also take note of their costs. Depending on the type of unit you pick and the amount of work it will need to install is entirely up to you. Remember the higher the BTUs the more you are shelling out. Look at the various brands available for their BTUs and choose the one that is the most suitable for your popup camper needs and value for your money.

• Portable units- $45- $400
• Rooftop units- $500- $1500
• Window units- $200- $800

Popup campers and canvas: Creating more Insulation

Popup Camper has more than 60% of canvas and vinyl covering the top portion of the camper and does not hold air temperature well if insulated correctly. Containing the cool air is key to not overloading your air conditioner, this means:

• Closing all windows and doors, perpetually.
• Minimize leaks by sealing large gaps in the canvas and vinyl, walls, and bunk ends. Keeping the camper level, helps the air conditioner run smoothly and stop leaking.
• Creating Reflectix insulation for each window or for the bunk end windows.
• Add a sun-reflective tarp to the top of each bunk end.
• Insulating under the bunks by creating a barrier between the mattress and plywood.

Tips to maximize the efficiency of your popup air conditioner

1. Maintain the air conditioner’s cleanliness and upkeep regularly.
2. Clean or replace the filter often.
3. Always make sure your popup camper is level when in use.
4. If possible, pick shaded campsites to reduce sun exposure.
5. Minimize leaks by sealing large gaps in the canvas and vinyl, walls, and bunk ends.
6. To keep the air moving inside the camper use a low voltage fan while running your air conditioner.
7. Create insulation for each window and door.
8. Use materials to insulate bunk ends from top to bottom.
9. Keep the door and windows shut.

Now let me first tell you that our current camper wasn’t stock or pre-made with an air conditioning unit like the newer models you see today. We have made some adjustments to add a window air conditioning unit thru a vacant cabinet and utilized the small exterior door as a ventilation system. I will also start a new blog on how we installed a window air conditioning unit and why we choose the particular model, BTU and location installed.

In conclusion

I hope I was able to share some valuable information on popup campers and air conditioners. If you have the ability to install an air conditioner yourself that you are ahead of the game, but beware of potential wood rot, or material decay, which could cost a pretty penny to repair. Choosing an air conditioner for your PUP and your family will be the hardest choice you’ll have to make out of the entire process. This is due to how personal your decision is on price, usage, skills, and BTUs just to name a few. But having that investment into your PUP camper, is to me, worth it!