Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.
Last Updated on April 22, 2025 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
10 Best AC For Pop-Up Campers
A pop-up camper is a home on wheels, so why not treat it like your home and equip it with an AC? The AC for pop-up campers is compact, portable, and easy to install, making it an ideal solution for campers seeking a respite from the heat.
Key Takeaways:
-
-
Comfort Boost: Adding an AC to your pop-up camper significantly improves comfort in hot or humid weather.
-
Types of Units:
-
Roof-mounted ACs save space but may not be compatible with most pop-up campers.
-
Portable ACs are flexible and generally easier to install.
-
-
Power Requirements:
-
Roof units need a 30-amp supply.
-
Portable units usually run on a 20-amp circuit.
-
-
Important Features to Look For:
-
High EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) for lower power use.
-
Lightweight & compact design to save space.
-
Built-in casters for mobility.
-
Self-evaporation or auto-drain systems reduce maintenance.
-
Quiet operation for peaceful nights.
-
-
Top Picks by Cooling Power:
-
SereneLife & BLACK+DECKER: Best for small campers.
-
Amana & Honeywell MO10CES: Excellent mid-range options.
-
Whynter ARC-14S & Honeywell HL14CESWB: High-capacity units for larger campers.
-
-
Extra Features:
-
Wi-Fi control (MIDEA), swing function (HomeLabs), and carbon filters (Whynter) add convenience and better air quality.
-
-
Its efficient cooling system and low energy consumption make it an excellent accessory to ensure a pleasant camping experience.
With that said, air conditioner options for pop-up campers are limited. Most aren’t compatible with roof-mounted RV AC units.
That’s not a problem since you can buy a portable air conditioner! Below, we have ten options for you to choose from!
10 Best Portable AC For Pop-Up Campers
1. SereneLife SLPAC8 SLPAC 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
If you want a portable AC unit with a small footprint, this one from SereneLife may be the right option. At just 14.6 x 13.8 x 27.2 inches (L x W x H), it’s a pretty compact unit that should work great with smaller pop-up campers. It’s also pretty light at just 46.3 pounds.
This AC’s stated heat output is 8,000 BTUs, and it is claimed to cool up to 215 square feet of area. This should be just enough for most pop-up campers.
In addition to cooling, the SereneLife portable AC unit has fan and dehumidifier modes (with a capacity of up to 2.5 pints per hour) that can be engaged via the onboard touch control panel or the included remote.
You can also control the 24-hour timer, sleep mode, and fan speed settings in this AC unit.
SereneLife claims that this portable AC unit produces 55–57 dB of sound, which is neither exceptionally quiet nor unbearably loud. It should be quieter in the sleep mode, though SereneLife doesn’t specify how quiet it goes.
Finally, this AC unit is rated at 900 watts, which is typical for portable ACs of its size. Make sure that your generator can provide such power to the AC!
Pros:
- Pretty lightweight.
- Small footprint.
- Touch control panel.
- Programmable.
2. BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner
The BPACT08WT portable AC by BLACK+DECKER is another excellent option if you have limited space in your pop-up camper. At 16.5 x 11.5 x 26 inches, it’s a bit wider but shorter and less deep than the SereneLife AC unit.
The two portable ACs have similar functionality—they have three modes and programmable settings, including a 24-hour timer, sleep mode, and temperature control.
One essential addition to the BLACK+DECKER portable air conditioner is the casters. They allow you to move this unit around more easily. Given that it weighs 52.9 pounds, any assistance with carrying is welcome.
The BPACT08WT air conditioner’s heating capacity is 8,000 BTUs according to the ASHRAE 128 standard and 5,000 BTUs according to the newer 2017 DOE standard.
We’ll discuss the differences between these standards a little later. Still, the critical point is that the 2017 DOE standard was introduced because portable and window units can’t be accurately tested with the same methods.
The cooling area of this AC unit is claimed to be 100–150 square feet, which is what you would expect from an AC that is around 5,000 BTU, albeit in the lower range of 8,000 models.
The power rating is 950 watts, which is 50 watts higher than that of the SereneLife AC.
Pros:
- Built-in casters for easy transport.
- Programmable settings.
- Pretty compact.
Cons:
- It’s a bit heavy.
3. EdgeStar AP8000W Portable AC
The critical feature of EdgeStar’s AP8000W portable air conditioner is its self-evaporative system. This system is designed to exhaust all liquid formed inside the unit by condensation. As a result, the AP8000W is promised not to need manual draining in most climates.
But if necessary, you can still do manual draining.
In terms of cooling capacity, the AP8000W AC seems less potent than BLACK+DECKER’s unit—it has a heat output of 8,000 BTUs according to the ASHRAE 128 standard, but only 4,600 BTUs according to the DOE 2017 standard.
The integrated dehumidifier is also very attractive. It is claimed to deliver up to 50 pints of moisture per day, which is excellent for an AC of this size.
EdgeStar claims this unit’s coverage to be around 150 – 225 square feet, but given that it’s weaker than the BLACK+DECKER AC, its actual coverage is probably closer to 150 square feet.
The EdgeStar AC’s power rating is also lower—840 watts—which may make it more appealing to you.
The EdgeStar AP8000W is quite a heavy unit, weighing 56 pounds. Fortunately, it has integrated casters to assist with transport.
Apart from being heavy, it’s also quite bulky—it measures 19-1/4 x 13-1/4 x 24-3/4 inches (W x D x H). It’s noticeably bulkier than the other two units reviewed, so it may not be the right choice for compact pop-up campers.
Pros:
- Built-in casters.
- Automatically condenses liquid.
- Programmable settings.
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky.
4. Amana AMAP101AD Portable AC
The Amana AMAP101AD portable AC unit is similar to the ones already reviewed. The most crucial difference is that it has a higher cooling capacity – 10,000 BTUs (according to ASHRAE-128) or 6,500 BTUs (according to DOE 2017).
This AC also has a higher area capacity—it can cool rooms up to 250 square feet. It also has an additional feature: the swing mode, which allows the AC exhaust to oscillate.
The features we’ve seen in the 8k models are also here, including the fan and dehumidifier modes. You can program the temperature, running time, and fan speed again.
The dehumidifier mode here promises to deliver up to 5 pints per hour of dehumidification, which suggests a whopping 120 pints per day. This is much more than in most other AC units on our list.
While this AC has a higher capacity than the previous three models, it isn’t much more significant—it’s 14.2 x 16.9 x 28.7 inches (D x W x H). It’s sure a little bulkier, but not by much.
It’s also surprisingly light, weighing 54 pounds, and has casters to assist with transportation. However, fifty-four pounds is still plenty, especially if your pop-up camper has minimal cargo capacity.
Pros:
- Integrated caster wheels.
- It can heat up to 250 square feet of rooms.
- Programmable settings with swing mode.
- It’s compact for its capacity.
Cons:
- On the heavier side.
5. Honeywell Compact Portable Air Conditioner
The MO10CES portable AC by Honeywell is an excellent option if you want a light and relatively compact unit.
This thing weighs just around 49 pounds, which is light even for the 8k models we reviewed earlier. It’s sized at just 13.5 x 14.6 x 27.7 inches (D x W x H) and has casters for more convenient transport.
The MO10CES AC unit’s cooling capacity is also remarkable. It is claimed to be able to cool up to 350 square feet, which is solid for its 10,00 0BTU ASHRAE and 5,500 BTU DOE ratings.
This portable AC also features an auto-evaporation function that allows you to avoid manually draining water in areas with low humidity. This system should be similar to what EdgeStar AP8000W AC had, but it may not work everywhere.
In terms of functionality, the MO10CES AC is similar to the models reviewed so far—it has three operation modes, allows you to set a timer, adjust the temperature, and enter the 10-hour sleep mode.
Its dehumidifying mode is also very nice – 61 pints of daily capacity is no joke!
However, the MO10CES portable AC doesn’t have a swing mode, which may be a big downside for some people.
Pros:
- 350 square feet of coverage.
- Integrated auto-evaporation system.
- Built-in casters.
- Weighs just 49 pounds.
- Not too bulky.
Cons:
- No swing mode, unlike the other 10k models.
6. MIDEA MPF10CR81-E Portable Air Conditioner
If you want a portable AC unit that provides flexibility in adjustment, then the MPF10CR81-E air conditioner may be the right option.
The key feature of this air conditioner is that it is available in a Wi-Fi-enabled variant. Wi-Fi connection allows you to adjust and monitor the AC from your mobile device anywhere in your house.
This portable air conditioner is similar to the Amana AMAP101AD AC unit in terms of functionality. Both have oscillation mode, cooling, dehumidifier, and fan modes, as well as temperature and timer settings.
The cooling coverage of the MIDEA air conditioner isn’t too remarkable, though – this thing is claimed to cool up to just 150 square feet of rooms efficiently. Given the 10,000/5,500 BTU cooling capacity, you’d expect more from this thing.
The MIDEA portable air conditioner is also heavy and bulky, weighing around 65 pounds and measuring 17.1 x 13 x 29.1 inches (W x D x H), it won’t be the best option for tiny pop-up campers.
Pros:
- Built-in casters.
- Wide range of adjustment with swing mode.
- Wi-Fi-enabled variant is available.
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy.
- Underwhelming cooling capacity.
7. Shinco SPF2-10C Portable Air Conditioner
The SPF2-10C portable air conditioner by Shinco promises to cool spaces up to 300 – 450 square feet. It also boasts a 75 pints per day dehumidifying capacity, which is pretty solid.
Shinco also boasts the integrated self-evaporation system designed to help you avoid frequent manual draining. This system probably won’t entirely free you from manual draining, but it should make your job easier.
This portable air conditioner is similar to others in terms of functionality and programmability—it likewise has an adjustable fan speed, a 24-hour timer, a swing mode, and other features.
What you may particularly like about this unit is that it’s pretty light, just 55 pounds. And the built-in casters should make transporting this thing easy.
We can’t say good things about the size, though—measuring 17.4 x 13.4 x 32 inches (W x D x H), it’s wide and tall. Thus, it’s probably not the best option for smaller pop-up campers.
Pros:
- Cools up to 300 – 450 square feet of space.
- Equipped with a self-evaporation system.
- Built-in casters.
Cons:
- Tall and bulky.
8. Whynter ARC-14S Portable AC
Want reliable performance? The Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner should be a good option if you have space and cargo capacity.
Whynter boasts that this unit received the highest score from Consumer Reports in 2019. This certainly shows that this portable AC lives up to the claims and expectations.
This 14,000 BTU air conditioner is claimed to cool up to 500 square feet, and, judging by Consumer Reports’ roundup, it delivers on the promise.
500 square feet of cooling area may be overkill for pop-up campers, but if you want reliable cooling throughout your entire camper, the ARC-14S may be just right.
The key to this AC’s secret is its dual-hose design, with one hose dedicated to taking in cold air from the outside and the other dedicated to evacuating warm air from the home.
The dual-hose design allows for much higher cooling efficiency. Our buyer’s guide will discuss dual-hose ACs in more detail.
Whynter also writes that this air conditioner has a patented auto-drain system that continuously drains itself without user input. If you find that the auto-draining feature doesn’t work well enough, you may still drain the unit manually.
The ARC-14C portable AC unit also has a carbon air filter. Compared to other filter types, this filter should better filter the air coming into the RV from outdoor pollutants and dust.
If the dehumidifier mode is also essential for you, know that the ARC-14C has a dehumidifying capacity of 101 pints per day. This air conditioner also has adjustable fan speed and complete thermostatic control.
If you have a small pop-up camper, though, the ARC-14C certainly isn’t the best option—it weighs 80 pounds and measures 16 x 19 x 35.5 inches.
Pros:
- Cools up to 500 square feet of rooms.
- Drains itself automatically.
- Efficiently deals with the produced heat.
- Effective carbon air filter.
- Built-in casters.
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy.
9. Honeywell HL14CESWB Portable AC
Honeywell’s HL14CESWB portable air conditioner seems to have a little more oomph than the Whynter ARC-14C unit. Boasting 14,000/8,500 BTU (ASHRAE 128/DOE 2017) cooling capacity, this AC unit is designed to cool areas of up to 550–700 square feet.
The ARC-14C is overkill for many pop-up campers, and Honeywell’s AC model is also such. This guy here will probably be enough for even the biggest pop-up campers!
If you also want a high-capacity dehumidifier, you’ll be glad to hear that this AC has a great capacity of 111 pints per day.
An auto-evaporation system is also included to save time on manual draining. However, in areas with high humidity, you’ll need to drain this manually.
In terms of programmability, the Honeywell portable AC is like many others on our list—it allows you to choose from 3 modes, adjust the temperature and fan speed, and set a 24-hour timer—nothing too remarkable.
Also, keep in mind that this item is quite bulky—at 18.9 x 20.5 x 18.2 inches, it’s short but wide and deep. It weighs 64 pounds, though it does have casters to assist with transport.
Pros:
- Cools up to 550 – 700 square feet rooms.
- Auto evaporation function.
- Built-in caster wheels.
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky.
10. Home Labs Portable Air Conditioner 14000 BTU
Finally, we have this portable air conditioner by HomeLabs.
The first thing to catch the eye of this AC is its relatively small footprint—it is 30.7 inches tall—which is a lot—but it’s just 17.9 inches wide and 15 inches deep. Thus, it’s a little smaller than the Honeywell and Whynter 14k AC units.
On the other hand, this air conditioner does not have an auto-evaporation function, so you will have to drain it manually.
Weighing 72.3 pounds, it is also the second-heaviest AC unit on the list, although it does have casters for more convenient transportation.
In terms of coverage, though, the HomeLabs air conditioner is on par with the Honeywell unit – both are claimed to cool areas of up to 550–700 square feet.
This portable AC unit also has an automatic swing function, a feature absent from the two other 14k units reviewed. It’s not a must-have feature, but it may be necessary for some people.
And other than that, you have the usual set of functions, including a 100-pint/day dehumidifier, fan & sleep modes, a timer, and temperature controls.
Pros:
- Cools areas of 550 – 700 square feet.
- Has an automatic swing function.
- It’s not too bulky for what it is.
- Built-in casters.
Cons:
- Heavy.
- Doesn’t have an auto-evaporation function.
Why Buy A Portable Air Conditioner For A Pop-Up Camper?
Regarding air conditioners in RVs, most people probably opt for the roof-mounted AC units provided by the manufacturers by default.
On the other hand, we have portable air conditioners, a type of AC that has recently gained popularity.
Which type of AC is better, though? And why would you choose a portable AC over a regular RV AC for your pop-up camper?
Pros of Portable Air Conditioners
The answer to the question above is the benefits of portable air conditioners:
- Portable ACs can be used in RVs that aren’t compatible with roof-mounted ACs.This is the most significant benefit of portable ACs. Even if your pop-up camper isn’t compatible with any roof-mounted RV AC, you can use a portable AC for your cooling needs.
- As their name suggests, portable AC units can be moved around when needed. Roof-mounted RV air conditioners do not have this benefit—they are fixed in place and cannot be moved elsewhere.
- Quick installation. Portable ACs are much faster to install than roof-mounted ACs. Portable units come with window kits to mount to one of your RV’s windows. Installing the window kit takes relatively little time.
- Portable AC units are often less expensive than traditional roof-mounted air conditioners for RVs. If your RV is compatible with an RV AC but you don’t have the budget for one, then a portable AC is a good alternative.
- Lower power requirements. While portable AC units require plenty of power, their power needs are lower than those of roof-mounted ACs. You can opt for a portable AC if you don’t have a powerful enough generator for a roof-mounted AC.
- Lower weight. Portable air conditioners also tend to be lighter than roof-mounted units. The difference isn’t huge – we aren’t talking a two- or three-fold reduction – but if your pop-up camper has minimal cargo capacity, then even 10 or 20 pounds of weight reduction will be vital for you.
Cons of Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners have several great benefits, but they also have significant disadvantages that you should be aware of. Depending on your needs, these disadvantages may make traditional roof-mounted RV ACs more appealing.
- Issues with heat evacuation. This is the biggest and most crucial downside of portable air conditioners. We must cover it in more depth a little later.
Located outside, roof-mounted air conditioners have a much easier time evacuating the hot air produced during operation. Conversely, portable air conditioners are designed to be placed inside.
And since they often have limited means of air evacuation, heating becomes a concern.
And when an appliance designed to cool the room produces heat, it’s getting less efficient.
- Lower cooling capacity. Portable air conditioners generally have lower cooling capacity than roof-mounted units. Roof-mounted units are more efficient at heating, and they can be much larger than portable AC units.
- Space requirements. An RV AC mounted on the roof doesn’t require any floor area for installation. Portable air conditioners don’t have this benefit—they are designed precisely to be mounted on the floor.
While this implies flexibility in placement, it also means you need to provide a portable AC unit with sufficient floor space.
The Heat Efficiency of Portable AC Units
To understand the heat efficiency issue in portable air conditioners, we should first understand how air conditioners generally work.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the air cooling process in air conditioners:
- The air conditioner takes warm air from the room.
- The warm air flows over the cold & low-pressure evaporation coils. As this happens, the refrigerant inside the AC changes from liquid to gas, absorbing heat from the warm air and cooling it down.
- The cool air is blown back into the house.
- The refrigerant must be converted back into a liquid state to cool down the next portion of warm air from the room. To do this, a compressor inside the AC unit puts the gas under high pressure. This process creates waste heat. The heat is evacuated from the air conditioner unit to the outside of the house via condenser coils and a fan.
- As the gaseous refrigerant cools down, it changes into a liquid state and is ready to absorb heat from the warm inside air again.
The problem with portable air conditioners is that they aren’t as efficient at the fourth step, evacuating heat from the house.
A window—or roof-mounted AC uses outside air to cool the coils, while a portable AC uses conditioned air from the room to cool its components.
Portable AC units use air from the inside, causing negative pressure inside the room. This negative pressure allows hot air from other rooms and outside to flow into the room where the AC is.
However, a few portable AC units address this issue by employing two hoses – one to draw in air from the outside for cooling and the other to remove the heat waste. We’ll overview dual-hose units a little later.
ASHRAE-128 vs. DOE 2017 Standard
The decreased heat efficiency of portable air conditioners implies that the efficiency of wall and portable AC units cannot be tested using the same measures. Due to this, the U.S. Department of Energy set new efficiency standards for portable air conditioners in 2016.
However, according to Consumer Reports, while these standards are in force, they have yet to be finalized.
Previously, the ASHRAE-128 standard was used to assess the efficiency of portable air conditioners. The testing procedures were the same as for window AC units. Thus, the old standard didn’t take into account the heat leakage problem of portable ACs.
The US DOE’s new standard does take this issue into account.
The adoption of the new standard has caused and continues to confuse buyers. Both standards rate the cooling capacity of portable air conditioners in BTUs, but ASHRAE-128 ratings are usually higher than DOE ratings.
The reason for this is simple – as explained above, the DOE rating takes into account the increased heat production of portable air conditioners.
Needless to say, if an air conditioner produces a certain amount of heat, its cooling capacity is reduced by that amount.
Manufacturers of portable air conditioners still market their products using both ASHRAE-128 and DOE BTU ratings. However, they usually include the ASHRAE 128 rating in their product names, as it is a higher number.
However, the product description also includes the DOE rating since the Department of Energy requires it.
Know that you should give preference to the DOE rating, as it provides a better assessment of a portable air conditioner’s cooling capacity.
However, remember that you can’t directly compare the BTU ratings of window and portable ACs. Consumer Reports writes that the Department of Energy’s tests for window ACs are more demanding than for portable units.
An 8,000 BTU window unit will deliver more cooling than an 8,000 BTU portable unit.
Things To Look For In The Best Portable AC For Your Pop-Up Camper?
The heat inefficiencies aside, how do you choose a good portable AC unit for your pop-up RV camper? Let’s look at the features that matter to them the most.
Cooling Capacity
The cooling capacity of a portable AC unit is the most essential factor to consider. The higher it is, the more effective an air conditioner will be, and the larger areas it will be able to cool.
The desired AC’s cooling capacity should correspond to the area that is to be cooled. There are plenty of BTU-to-room charts online that you can use to base your decision. One of them is the chart provided by
Energy Star:
| Area (Square Feet) | BTUs Needed |
|---|---|
| 100 up to 150 | 5,000 |
| 150 up to 250 | 6,000 |
| 250 up to 300 | 7,000 |
| 300 up to 350 | 8,000 |
| 350 up to 400 | 9,000 |
| 400 up to 450 | 10,000 |
| 450 up to 550 | 12,000 |
| 550 up to 700 | 14,000 |
| 700 up to 1,000 | 18,000 |
| 1,000 up to 1,200 | 21,000 |
| 1,200 up to 1,400 | 23,000 |
| 1,400 up to 1,500 | 24,000 |
| 1,500 up to 2,000 | 30,000 |
| 2,000 up to 2,500 | 34,000 |
While this chart is designed for room air conditioners, it should also work for portable air conditioners. Unfortunately, no similar charts appear to be explicitly made for portable ACs.
Please follow the DOE 2017 ratings instead of the ASHRAE-128 ratings. We’ve already explained why the DOE 2017 rating is a more precise way of measuring a portable air conditioner’s cooling capacity.
You may also add 1,000 – 2,000 BTUs on top of what is indicated in this chart. As mentioned, portable AC units are not as efficient as window units, even if they are rated the same.
Single-hose vs. Dual-hose ACs
We’ve reviewed one portable AC with a dual-hose design: Whynter’s ARC-14S air conditioner. Thanks to its dual-hose design, this portable AC is much more efficient than single-hose units.
The purpose of a dual-hose unit is to solve the negative pressure problem we’ve discussed above.
Dual-hose units have two hoses:
- One output hose evacuates the heat from the refrigerant as it condenses into a liquid state. Single-hose units also have this hose.
- One intake hose whose purpose is to take air for cooling from the outside.
Dual-hose units operate similarly to window ACs (and roof-mounted RV ACs, for that matter).
Since they draw air for cooling from outside, they do not create negative pressure, and warm air from outside doesn’t rush into the space you are trying to cool.
This makes dual-hose portable air conditioners much more efficient than single-hose models.
That said, both ASHRAE-128 and DOE standards still rate dual-hose units. However, these ACs aren’t as efficient as window units.
However, with the same ASHRAE 128 rating, a dual-hose portable AC will likely have a higher DOE rating than a single-hose unit.
Auto Condensate Evaporation
When the refrigerant condenses (turns from a gas to a liquid), moisture forms on the condenser coils; this moisture must be removed from the AC.
Many portable air conditioners rely on a drip pan for removing condensation. With some units, you must manually drain the drip pan of fluid.
Newer and more expensive portable air conditioners often have an auto-condensate evaporation feature. This feature removes condensate through the exhaust, so you don’t have to manually drain the drip pan.
This feature will be less useful in very humid areas. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s pointless—you may still want to look for a portable AC with such a feature since it will make your life easier no matter how humid your area is.
Dehumidifier Mode
Often, the humidity of the air causes discomfort, not the high temperature itself. Because of this, a dehumidifier can also be a handy appliance, especially in very humid areas.
In humid areas, the air conditioner may not be able to remove the condensation caused by the cooling process fast enough, resulting in cold but wet air. A dehumidifier can combat this issue.
The vast majority of portable air conditioners have a dehumidifier mode. The capacity of the dehumidifier mode is measured by the amount of moisture (measured in pints) it can remove from the air in a given period, usually per day.
The right capacity will depend on the humidity and size of your area. Sylvane, a manufacturer of air treatment products, provides this chart for sizing a dehumidifier:
| Humidity | Square footage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 500 | 700 | 1000 | 1500 | |
| 50-60% | 30 | 40-45 | 50 | 60 | 70 |
| 60-70% | 30 | 40-45 | 50 | 60 | 70 |
| 70-85% | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 90 |
| 85-100% | 40-45 | 50-60 | 60-70 | 70 | 90+ |
Programmable Features
Consider what kind of features the desired portable AC comes with. Among the things to consider are:
- Temperature controls to shut the AC off once the desired temperature is reached.
- A timer will allow you to run the AC for a fixed amount of time and then shut it off.
- Sleep mode for quieter operation.
- Swing mode for exhaust oscillation.
- Fan speed controls.
These aren’t that important in ACs, but can make your life easier.
Noise Level
You may also want to pay attention to how much noise the desired portable AC produces. The noise level is measured in dB. Needless to say, if you want a quiet AC, look for one with a lower dB rating.
Pay attention to how the manufacturer measures the noise level – some give the noise level at the maximum setting, while others at the lowest.
Dimensions
Remember that one of the downsides of portable AC units is the space they require on the floor.
Well, pop-up campers are smaller than other RV types, so you should pay careful attention to the floor area you have and the size of the air conditioner you want.
At first glance, it may seem that you need to do some measurements and pick an AC that fits them. But things aren’t relatively as easy.
Portable air conditioners may be required to be placed at a certain distance from walls and other objects.
This means that you should ensure you have floor space not only for the AC unit itself but also for the clearances recommended by the manufacturer, or possibly even required by law in your area.
Weight
Consider also the weight of the desired portable air conditioner. Pop-up campers are pretty sturdy, but their capabilities are limited.
Every RV has a maximum cargo capacity that should not be exceeded. If you didn’t know, the cargo capacity limits may be due to the materials used in an RV, its suspension, or some local laws and regulations.
You should ensure that the combined weight of everything in the camper—including passengers—stays within the cargo capacity of your camper. The same applies to your portable air conditioner.
Casters
Most portable air conditioner models have built-in casters. Only the lightest models don’t, but it’s an excellent feature to have, no matter how light a portable AC is. Portable ACs don’t get as light as 20 or even 30 pounds, so every bit of assistance is welcome.
Can I Add an Inverter to my Camper?
Yes, adding an inverter to your camper is entirely possible and can be a beneficial upgrade. This process connects the RV inverter to the AC distribution box via a transfer switch.
The transfer switch is crucial because it prevents potential damage by ensuring that the camper’s electrical system doesn’t receive power from both the inverter and shore power at the same time.
Remember that the specific transfer switch model required may vary depending on whether your camper also operates on a generator. Compatibility with your vehicle’s system is critical in this installation, ensuring seamless and efficient operation.
Final Words
AC for pop-up campers is an innovation that significantly enhances comfort during camping excursions, regardless of the season. The two central air conditioning systems available for pop-up campers are roof-mounted and portable units.
The roof-mounted AC units are space-efficient, as they are installed on the camper’s roof, leaving more space inside. However, they require a 30-amp power supply for optimal functioning.
On the other hand, portable AC units offer flexibility as they can conveniently move around but require a 20-amp power supply.
When choosing an AC for pop-up campers, selecting a unit with a high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is crucial for conserving energy and reducing running costs.
Moreover, it is essential to ensure that the camper’s roof can support the weight of the AC unit, especially if you are considering a roof-mounted unit. Additionally, for a serene and peaceful camping experience, it’s advisable to opt for quieter AC units that won’t disrupt your tranquility.
Incorporating air conditioning into your pop-up camper can significantly enhance your camping experience, offering comfort and coolness even in the harshest weather conditions.
