Aircon or not .

[PETERA]

We have the option to have Aircon fitted to the van that we recently ordered before delivery in April. I would wecolme any views, positive or negitive on the pro and cons of this bit of kit.
Given that we plan to tour mostly on in Europe, Spain France Italy etc. Although not in peak season, July, August, would this kit be of benifit or an expensive white elephant ?.

Regards

PETERA.

 

[MichaelE]

Had it fitted standard on a Coachman laser, used it a couple of times in the 3 years i owned it, once on my drive in the Uk and once in the South of France.
The sites dont like them running at night as they are quite noisy and people complain.To get the most out of it you need to close the doors and windows but why would you want to sit inside?
Never had one since and never missed it, i use normal fans at night.
Personally if it came as standard i would ask it to be removed, i wouldnt add it as an extra.

 

[JonnyG]

I don't know what amp age these units use, but Italy at least most sites are 6 amps, so maybe you should check this out if you intend to tour abroad

 

[ValA.]

I wouldn't bother - as said, you'd only really want to use it at night when you're actually inside the van - and a lot of sites object to air-conditioning units running at night. Those on sites which don't may find their neighbours on the next pitch do! Air-conditioning units do make a lot of noise outside.
We've managed in temperatures into the low forties with only our blown air running on without heating - and a bowl of ice cubes somewhere near, which manages to cool the inside of the van perfectly well.

 

[Guest]

I regret I will put a ‘spade’ into the previous comments and suggest that if the weight of the van will not be adversely affected significantly, then an A/C can be a blessing. While if you tend to stay in the middle of France for your holidays then a fan will be sufficient I can only state from a lot of experience that in the ‘deep south’ it is the difference between a good night’s sleep and a lot of tossing and turning.

When the daytime temperature hits 35 plus degrees then the temperature at night will not drop below 30 until the wee small hours. Your van has also heated up and takes a long time to cool down. When you put your hands on the inside roof panel, and it is very warm, then you know the van is ‘cooking’.

A fan will merely blow the hot air around, it will feel a bit cooler, but is not really doing anything. As for the noise, this depends on the unit and installation. We have been next door to units with both roof mounted and internal A/C units and the noise was no more than a buzzing sound, and unless your open window was next to it, not really a problem. Also most campers are tolerant and switch the A/C off after going to bed with an ice cool van to relax in. I fully admit to being quite envious, after a good few hot sticky nights, and have seriously looked at the possibility of fitting an internal unit to my van, but the loss of 20 kg of payload is a big factor. Many modern units are designed to not overload and average camp EHU, so my advice is look at where you wish to spend most of your time and if your wallet and weight will allow it, then go for it.

 

[Ancientcaravanner]

You were lucky - this year we were two pitches away from a van with the loadest Aircon I have ever heard. They had it going full blast with all the doors and windows open. They finally gave in and switched it off when everyone complained,

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I thought that you were supposed to close the doors and windows with aircon
We have a portable one and its compact and easily moved
If you have it blowing on you on a hot day or the bed at night it is bliss
Its cooled air rather that hot air blown at you and its great
The exhaust air pipe is really hot ---you could dry your hair on it!

 

[Guest]

Maybe one of those 'CC' members?????

 

[OmOnWeelz]

A lot of aircon use does my breathing and airways in, have had it and wouldn't bother again.
Been down the same noisy Aircon unit route as 'Ancient C' with one each side of us, and with unit left turning on and off all evening whilst the owners went to town to eat and then came back partying in the van. They must have thought that closed windows and vents stop noise travelling. Boy scout relieving the EHU cable of the plug solves all with inconsiderate aircon caravanners

 

[JohnGriffiths]

Outside of July and August we've found the nights to be quite cool in S.France even when daytime temps have approached 40 so we wouldn't consider A/C. We haven't suffered with noise from anyone else luckily but I should be miffed if I had my windows and rooflights open to cool down and then couldn't sleep because of a noisy A/C nearby.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

We were on a C & CC Rally in Spain and one couple on the rally moved pitches because the Electrolux unit on the German van next to them was too noisy
The same day a new rally arrival parked next to them and they had the same roof mounted air con unit
The couple were not happy
The internal ones should be more neighbour friendly and the newer Dometic are now quieter than before

 

[PETERA]

Thanks for the info

Regards

PETERA

 

[Guest]

I think the conclusion is that if you are able to get one of the new models then the noise issue is not likely to be a problem. The older ones such as on old American RV's etc can be indeed pretty noisy but the new internal ones are very quiet indeed as you can sleep inside the van with them running.

Sorry, but still feel that if you can afford it, then why not have a bbit of comfort.

 

[DeliDave_]

Referring to omonwheelz post about aircons :-

Unplug it,cut it off near the van and throw the long bit in the rubbish is a longer lasting solution( only joking of course)

 

[forestgump]

take my mother in law shes very cold .

 

[Jennifer2]

We have the Dometic B2200 fitted in our 2008 Sterling Searcher, it is excellent, and very quiet on the low setting.
The unit weighs about 30kg, but we have uprated our MTPLM to cover that and the mover, so we still have plenty of weight spare.

When we go out for the day we leave it on low or medium, this means the van stays cool, we have only once needed to use it overnight. It is noisier inside the van than out, on low you cannot hear it from the next van.

 

[Guest]

It is the weight issue that is the killer for me. My van has an 'allocated allowance of 90 kg' for those items considered essential but it is a bit optimistic. I take the basic weight and then add what I am putting in. The basic items add up as follows:

Spare wheel 30 kg
Battery 25 kg
Mover 30 kg
Gas cylinders 20 kg (1 Calor and 1 Camping Gaz)
Outside dining 30 kg ( table, chairs and the outside kitchen unit. All lightweight stuff but adds up)

So I am already at 135 kg without too much trouble. Note I have not included any awning/groundsheet as we use a sunshade which is in the car. That still leaves me 245 kg for other payload and believe me I can easily fill that without any trouble especially for a long European trip. Knocking another 25-30 kg off for an A/C is a bit unjustifiable, although i do wish. We also carry bikes which go in the car as well.

This is just for 2 of us, I hate to think of adding kids as well.

 

[Surfer]

This is just for 2 of us, I hate to think of adding kids as well.

I didn't think kids were allowed to travel in the caravan.

 

[Guest]

Ok, if you wish to be pedantic. 'kids paraphernalia' would be more informative. Mind you I do believe that vans have been stopped carrying kids and wives within.