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07-31-2015, 11:43 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Name: Warren
Trailer: Boler
British Columbia
Posts: 3
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No A/C ... Deal breaker?
I know the obvious answer is, it depends on where you camp, but I'm just wondering if people wish they got it, or have it and seldom use it. The trailer I'm looking at has no AC but does have fantastic fans.
Thanks all!
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08-01-2015, 12:13 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
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I don't have AC would never use it if I did. In the past almost 10 years that I've had my Scamp out of well over 1000 nights maybe 10 were where they was electricity hook ups. The last two years with over 300 nights zero were with electricity. I don't think an air conditioner would do me much good. I don't even have AC in anchored house.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
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08-01-2015, 02:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
California
Posts: 3,738
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It all depends on where you plan to camp Warren. Everyone's ideas are different but I wouldn't have a rig without it. In over thirty years I doubt I've used the AC more than 50 times but having it available if I wanted it is priceless. I live in the desert and the power goes out when the wind blows big time. At 95* at night the Honda 2000 will run the roof air on the Casita for over 8 hours and just about froze us out. I look at the trailer as an escape for problems with life. YMMV
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08-01-2015, 02:26 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Name: Warren
Trailer: Boler
British Columbia
Posts: 3
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That's kind of what I thought. Might not use it much, but when you need it, you REALLY need it.
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08-01-2015, 06:41 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 905
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To me, it would really depend on what kind of deal I could get without the A/C in combination of the temps when I normally camp. Some people add a window AC if they need one but I wouldn't do that to a newer unit but wouldn't hesitate with an older one that I considered a "deal".
I think resale might be a little more difficult but price point can mean a lot to people.
Unless traveling on the road, if it is really hot, I don't want to camp and have to stay inside anyway. I can stay inside in the A/C at home.
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08-01-2015, 07:19 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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Resale Value??? Maybe so, maybe not so....
"Except in very high heat/humidity areas"
When selling a FGRV there is usually an abundance of buyers and eliminating the few that have to have an a/c won't put you out of business.
We sold both of out 13'ers in SoCal without a/c's. I do remember a few buyers that lost interest because they didn't read the ads that said NO A/C, but there were still more than enough buyers to sell at a premium price.
Again, it's all about ones needs and camping style.
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08-01-2015, 07:23 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
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Someone else just asked the very same question earlier this week… It generated a lot of discussion, which you can read here: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ust-70763.html. The "vote" was pretty evenly divided, so there's no clear consensus on this one. It depends on where you camp, both in a geographical/climate sense and in terms of the types of camping spots you prefer (i.e., dry camping versus full-hook-ups), how much you travel and when, along with your personal tolerance for some level of discomfort.
The biggest thing to be aware of is that adding AC to a trailer not designed for it can be difficult. Roof AC requires that the roof be designed or reinforced to carry the weight, and that's hit-or-miss with fiberglass trailers, especially older ones. Permanent installation of a window-type AC is tricky to get right, and it's not something a typical RV shop will do. Other alternatives are mentioned in the linked thread, and they vary in effectiveness, convenience, and degree-of-difficulty. My impression, though, is that if it promises to be easy and cheap, it is unlikely to be effective.
If you tell us more about the trailer you're looking at, someone will likely know if AC is an easy add later or not.
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08-01-2015, 07:48 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
Posts: 1,561
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I have only used mine a few times, mostly to make sure it still works. I do use the heat feature more often but if the AC died, I would replace it with a MaxxAir fan and a small portable heater.
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08-01-2015, 08:03 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Rich & Linda
Trailer: Amerigo
Indiana
Posts: 296
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ac or heat
OK it depend on where you camp in the south you do not need heat . In the north you do not need air, But if you travel you need both .
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08-01-2015, 08:39 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 1,704
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Well said "Santa"
I'm in the south and wouldnt even go to LOOK at an RV without A/C. Walking out at night the past few weeks here in Tennessee feels like you're walking into a steam bath. I cant sleep that way; especially after being use to working in an air conditioned office all day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MRClaus
OK it depend on where you camp in the south you do not need heat . In the north you do not need air, But if you travel you need both .
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08-01-2015, 08:57 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19 (was 2005 16 ft Scamp Side Dinette and 2005 Fleetwood (Coleman) Taos pop-up)
Posts: 1,227
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Most of the time we don't need either A/C or heat. On the other hand, when we camp at the extremes we definitely enjoy the heat when cold, and the A/C when hot and humid. Having both increases your ability to camp where you want and when you want.
__________________
Dave (and Marilyn who is now watching from above)
Sharpsburg, GA
04 Dodge Dakota V-8, 17 Dodge Durango V-6, 19 Ford Ranger 2.3 Ecoboost
radar1-scamping.blogspot.com
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08-01-2015, 08:58 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
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Very true. Even the north can experience heat waves and the south can experience cold snaps. The more extensively you travel, the more likely you'll have to endure some unseasonal weather.
That said, though, the OP is from BC. My general impression is that lots of folks in that area do manage without AC.
We camped with my Mom near Phoenix back in February, when the weather there should have been quite temperate. We happened to arrive during an unusual warm spell. Mom used her AC because she had it. We made do because we didn't. Low humidity, common in many parts of the West, meant nights were cool enough to sleep well.
I grew up in the mid-Atlantic region where Mom still lives, so AC is a given for her. We did survive many nights traveling all over the country in a tent trailer without AC back in the 60's and 70's, but times and expectations have changed. Neither our car nor our house had AC back then, either.
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08-01-2015, 09:17 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
Posts: 1,561
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When I was growing up in Illinois where the humidity and heat are awful, I spent 18 whole summers without AC. When my dad grew up he spent 10 whole summers without electricity.
Times sure have changed ! I often wonder what it would be like to have lived in the Southwest in the summer 100 or more years ago.
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08-01-2015, 09:25 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
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They built with very thick adobe walls and floors of packed earth, stone, or concrete. During the hottest part of the summer days, they would wet the whole floor down for natural evaporative cooling. Doors and windows were oriented to prevailing winds. In the absence of the modern "heat island" effect, nights were cooler, even in the summer. They were probably more comfortable than your father.
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08-01-2015, 09:26 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19 (was 2005 16 ft Scamp Side Dinette and 2005 Fleetwood (Coleman) Taos pop-up)
Posts: 1,227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack L
When I was growing up in Illinois where the humidity and heat are awful, I spent 18 whole summers without AC. When my dad grew up he spent 10 whole summers without electricity.
Times sure have changed ! I often wonder what it would be like to have lived in the Southwest in the summer 100 or more years ago.
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People were shorter back then, so they weren't as close to the sun as they are these days. Can you imagine having a fiberglass camper back in those days, wonder how much "horse"-power you would need to pull it?
__________________
Dave (and Marilyn who is now watching from above)
Sharpsburg, GA
04 Dodge Dakota V-8, 17 Dodge Durango V-6, 19 Ford Ranger 2.3 Ecoboost
radar1-scamping.blogspot.com
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08-01-2015, 09:31 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Daniel A.
Trailer: Bigfoot 17.0 1991 dlx
British Columbia
Posts: 741
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For myself air is a must, the Okanagan is where I spend most of my time and its far to hot to not have air conditioning.
I did buy and add air conditioning, just weight the cost of adding if you feel the need.
At home in Vancouver I don't need it.
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08-01-2015, 09:35 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Robert
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Past Tents" 2018 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB SuperCrew
Arkansas
Posts: 1,298
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There are so many threads that ask basically the same question, i.e., "should we get a/c", "what about resale value", etc.
Personally I wouldn't worry about things like resale. I'd simply ask if it's needed where and when you intend to camp.
Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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08-01-2015, 10:14 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Joe
Trailer: 1973 13' Boler
Ontario
Posts: 182
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I installed a mobile ac/heat/dehumidifier unit in my closet that I picked up off kijiji for 60$. Works like a charm.
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08-01-2015, 12:24 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Charles
Trailer: Scamp 16
Ohio
Posts: 295
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AC
I spend little time in the camper except to sleep and to get out of the rain. There have been times however that it has come in very handy. If you are out alone or even with a group of people and you or someone else doesn't feel well you can just go in, get cool and maybe get a cold drink and get some relief from the heat. Sometimes in a hot and muggy downpour you can chill out and wait the storm out in comfort. Two weeks ago I was going through The DC beltway in 98 deg heat in bumper to bumper traffic. I pulled off in the rest area, fired up the generator (tongue mounted), Had some lunch and stayed nice and cool while the traffic cleared out. Seldom do I use it, but when I need it it's there.
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08-01-2015, 12:26 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: Steve
Trailer: 2018, 21ft escape— 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie
NW Wisconsin
Posts: 4,500
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Trying to convince myself when its 90 deg that I don't need A/C doesn't work for me.
Trying to convince myself that saving money on a campsite without electricity on a 90 deg
day doesn't work for me either, If going camping means I have to be miserable, then I would rather stay home. If I wanted to camp without A/C , I would still be camping in a tent .
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