Staying cool

[TracieWho]

How do those without AC manage to stay cool? We will eventually get a unit, but right now we are still recovering from buying both truck and camper (2018 Palomino SS 1251). I know there are some swamp cooler types on the market. Do any of those actually work? We are headed out for our first trip in a couple of weeks - just a short one to while we learn the ropes in our transition from tent to campers. But the AC issue has me stymied. We are in our 60s and need more comfort than we used to, hence the no-more-tent camping.

[AlaskaErik]

I find that living in Alaska negates the need for A/C.

[Kimber45]

I had to use google to see that is a truck camper? any way to get a regular window unit into a window once you get set up?

[NJKris]

I used a Rigid battery operated fan a few times when traveling with an overnighter with no electric hookups. They operate with the same battery their power tools use. All you can do is pray the evening cools off enough that the fan will cool you enough that you can fall asleep!

[whj469]

I solved that problem with three ACs in my 2018 Cardinal 3825 FL.

[rsdata]

So I see that you have a truck slide in camper. Certainly you can find a 5K BTU window unit for $150 and I would guess that modifying a window or cutting a hole in the side of the camper to fit it in would be the way I would go. With a little ingenuity I'm sure you could make it work... much cheaper then putting in a roof mounted unit for $1,000.

In the meantime, a fan on the inside moves air around and makes it a bit more comfortable.

[SailorSam20500]

To answer your question on swamp coolers. They do a good job in very dry climates. They work by evaporating water, increasing the humidity while lowering the temperature. So if you are in an area with under 50% relative humidity you will get benefits, as the RH goes up, the value of a swamp cooler drops. A swamp cooler in the US southeast - bad idea.

[TracieWho]

Originally Posted by rsdata

So I see that you have a truck slide in camper. Certainly you can find a 5K BTU window unit for $150 and I would guess that modifying a window or cutting a hole in the side of the camper to fit it in would be the way I would go. With a little ingenuity I'm sure you could make it work... much cheaper then putting in a roof mounted unit for $1,000.

In the meantime, a fan on the inside moves air around and makes it a bit more comfortable.

I think a fan would really be the preferable mode with a soft side. We only have one real window and that is the escape route. Not so sure about the ingenuity part either...haha...Maybe as we become used to our new camper, we might be more willing to experiment on it in desperation to become comfortable. lol But you are right about finding cheaper solution than a roof mounted unit. That price tag makes me wince!

[NJKris]

Makes me wince too thinking about having to replace mine! I already had a bad one BRAND NEW, never used before. Thankfully, warranty took care of that. Quality on major appliances like this is crappy across the board. They don't make a lot of stuff to last like they used to.

[TracieWho]

[QUOTE=SailorSam20500;2585741]To answer your question on swamp coolers. They do a good job in very dry climates. They work by evaporating water, increasing the humidity while lowering the temperature. So if you are in an area with under 50% relative humidity you will get benefits, as the RH goes up, the value of a swamp cooler drops. A swamp cooler in the US southeast - bad idea.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the great info on swamp coolers. That is definitely something to keep in mind. I think this summer will mostly be staying fairly close to home which is in the PNW. The humidity levels are all over the map, depending on which side of the mountains we are. At least maybe. With record heat, and corresponding wildfires, we may want to escape the west all together.

[TracieWho]

Originally Posted by NJKris

. They don't make a lot of stuff to last like they used to.

Ugh...That is a true statement!