air conditioning

[CricketSail]

I'm pretty European about things, went all over EU on discount trips, canal barges, yada yada with no air conditioning while others whined the whole way. If it's really hot I slow down, drink a lot, stay in the shade. But when I get my RV maybe that's different. I plan to summer in New England, winter from Carolinas to Florida. How essential is air conditioning? If I buy used with air conditioning, how much trouble or not might I be getting into? Should I install myself or doesn't that work? I'm pretty tolerant, but my dogs get hot - can't have that, I live to serve them. Another issue is what's the cost to run it? If I'm off the grid for awhile without hookup am I going to use up all my energy keeping the air conditioning going?

[Acadianmom]

Depending on how large an RV you get it could get as hot as a car if it's hot outside. And the weather doesn't have to be all that hot for it to feel like an oven. Most RV's come with the roof air conditioners. They seem to be pretty reliable. Mine is 13 years old and still working fine but I don't use it all that often. The only way you can run an air conditioner is if you have electricity or run the generator. I don't know how much gas they use but don't know that I would want to be running the generator all day. I don't know how you are planning on charging your batteries but you have to have battery power even if you plan to run the refrigerator on propane.

Martha

[Bethers]

Wish I went totally solar, it means I cannot run my AC unless I'm hooked up to power. So far, even when boondocking, I've been fine. But I would not put my dog in danger, so I do watch carefully. I grew up without AC, and much sad higher temps can be, well hot, lol, we deal with them. Open windows, vents, etc. and when necessary, outside in the shade. I wouldn't wasn't to not have the rig AC tho. I'd things get bad, I know I can head for power and turn it on.

[Olive600]

I can't even imagine being without A/C. Scares the daylights out of me. I won't risk having me and the dog stuck w/o any opportunity to cool off. If I don't need it, I don't use it, but I wouldn't want to be without it. All it takes is one flat tire in the desert or a million other freak scenarios. Nope. Not me.

[mitch5252]

When George was in the hospital in Paducah a couple of years ago, I knew he would be there for a while, so I took up the Mobile Marlin in order to not have to drive back and forth every day to take care of the dog. I'd leave Abby in the trailer with the air on and go visit with G for a while. One day, I was gone all day at the hospital and when I got back - the power at the campground had gone off!! ALL DAY. It was 117 degrees in the trailer. Abby was a panting little pup. Luckily, she was okay and I yelled at the lady campground owner. She didn't know, but said had she known Abby was in there, she would have gotten her out and brought her to the office.

So, yeah, I can't imagine not having A/C, but you still have to be careful. Abby would have been better off with windows open and the Maxxfan on (which runs off the battery, with a very low draw). I'm not sure what I'd do under the same circumstance today.

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[OutandAbout]

I would go with the AC. If not for you, for the puppies. JMO Linda

[CricketSail]

Yeah, safety of the dogs is a big one. I leave my car windows open for them, but fight to find a place in the shade and don't leave them long at all. I'm a big fan of opening windows, finding shade, using a damp cloth over a fan, staying outside. I used to sit outside rather than go into my (way back then) attic apartment where it would get over 120 and melted plastic.

[retiredhappy]

Am not much into suffering so I use my AC. Don't want my dogs suffering from heat cause RV is much like a car and can get into the danger zone quickly. Life is short and I want to be comfortable. Most campgrounds have rules about when and how long you can run your AC. I don't much care about other stuff like water, wifi, etc but I try to find a cheap CG that has electric. I admit it - I'm a wuss- I want to be COOL.

[VickieP]

Most campgrounds have rules about when and how long you can run your AC.

I'm guessing you meant to say there are rules about generators, not AC's.

[cpatinjones]

I would want AC!