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10-15-2018, 02:49 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 235
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Boondocking without air conditioning?
Where (and when) can you go, where you can boondock in reasonable comfort without A/C, just using a couple of fans? What parts of the country, and what months?
We intend to build out our own conversion to a Sprinter cargo van and boondock full time upon my retirement. We're just re-thinking how attached we really want to be to a generator (and feeding it on a daily basis). If it weren't for the A/C system, we could get by on solar alone, and we're kind of weighing out whether the additional expense and complexity of buying, installing, maintaining, and repairing (not to mention the gasoline to feed the generator for hours and hours of every day) an air conditioner and generator, against simply following more comfortable weather.
Or maybe some middle ground, where we install an A/C system, keep a generator stowed in the back to run externally if we have to, but to generally follow more comfortable weather most of the time and rely on solar to do so...
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10-15-2018, 02:53 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,385
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….elevation above sea level or time of year seems to be more important than latitude--hard to get far enough north to totally avoid the summer heat--think we all get spoiled by our cars and our S/S home A/Cs.....50 years ago, working on a farm in Wis--seemed like a fan back then was good enough--what changed?????[smile]
PS--would take a lot of batteries and solar panels to even begin to "control" your environmental issues with solar….
__________________
Old Scout
2015 IH45 Foretravel
2003 Alpine 40' MDTS [Sold]
New Braunfels, Texas
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10-15-2018, 03:41 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 235
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We realize that if we have an air conditioner and want to run it off-grid, that we're going to have to have a generator.
If we didn't have an air conditioner and generator, the only control we'd have over our environment would be through roof fans, insulation, shade, and/or movement.
Just trying to get a feel for what that's like. I'd hate to build the van without A/C and/or without generator, only to learn that we can't live without them. Likewise, I'd hate to go to all that work to install them, just to find that we don't really need them.
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10-15-2018, 04:05 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,773
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I think it depends on your comfort level where you live. Someone from out west might think Kentucky temperature of 80 degrees with 80% humidity is stifling where a native might be comfortable. Floridians might be OK at 90 degrees, but a Maine native might melt etc, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grand Tour
Where (and when) can you go, where you can boondock in reasonable comfort without A/C, just using a couple of fans? What parts of the country, and what months?
We intend to build out our own conversion to a Sprinter cargo van and boondock full time upon my retirement. We're just re-thinking how attached we really want to be to a generator (and feeding it on a daily basis). If it weren't for the A/C system, we could get by on solar alone, and we're kind of weighing out whether the additional expense and complexity of buying, installing, maintaining, and repairing (not to mention the gasoline to feed the generator for hours and hours of every day) an air conditioner and generator, against simply following more comfortable weather.
Or maybe some middle ground, where we install an A/C system, keep a generator stowed in the back to run externally if we have to, but to generally follow more comfortable weather most of the time and rely on solar to do so...
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__________________
George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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10-15-2018, 04:28 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
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Is Arizona a place were in the summer you can go into the higher elevations and winter at the lower elevation?
That is probably the best state to boondock in I think. Lots of boondocking area both high elevations and low elevations.
I am not 100% sure in the summer in the higher 7,000 feet elevation how much A/C you would need if any.
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10-15-2018, 04:39 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 949
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It is possible to boondock aka dispersed camping up to 10,000’ in Colorado. Any elevation above 8,000’ is probably sufficient. The same is true in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
Old Scout - we do have sufficient solar and batteries to run air conditioning for four hours as combination of solar and battery. We just choose to avoid where this is necessary
Reed and Elaine
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10-15-2018, 05:01 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 839
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Grand Tour --
Some suggestions for you to consider are:
1) The Medicine Bow National Forest is southern Wyoming from early June to early October where I spent many a wonderful weekend with my parents and their travel trailer from age 5 through college years. No hook-ups available in any of the RV campgrounds in the "Snowy Range" area of the Medicine Bow National Forest between Saratoga and Laramie, WY
2) Join the "Winter Texans" in the Texas Hill country from mid-October until May. October & November and March - early May are considered "patio weather" in mid and south Texas. Several Texas State Parks in the Hill Country that have minimal or no hook-ups.
__________________
Mike & Cindy in Katy, TX
2016 Newmar Ventana LE 4037
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara
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10-15-2018, 05:48 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: On the Road
Posts: 1,608
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This last year we did Arizona all winter (east & west-sea level & 3700’), Utah for two months in the spring and 4 months @ 8200’ in Colorado for the summer. Not all boondock but very little need for ac.
__________________
2012 Nu Wa 363RSBDA
2016 Ford F-350 Dually 6.7
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10-15-2018, 06:19 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Muskoka Ontario Canada
Posts: 3,142
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By not planning the A/c into your rv, you are limiting yourself. What if you decide to go to an rv park for a bit. What if you are in good weather, but it gets very hot for two days. I live in Ontario, and it can get 90 degrees on occasion in mid summer. A couple good fans might do the job, Im just thinking you may decide to change your mind some time in the future. The air conditioner will probably be on the roof. Only the generator will take up extra space. How about a microwave. What if you get a week of bad weather, and the solar isnt keeping up. Options are always best.
__________________
2000 coachmen santara 370 5.9 cummins isb
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10-15-2018, 10:45 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 235
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Quote:
Originally Posted by winniman
By not planning the A/c into your rv, you are limiting yourself. What if you decide to go to an rv park for a bit. What if you are in good weather, but it gets very hot for two days. I live in Ontario, and it can get 90 degrees on occasion in mid summer. A couple good fans might do the job, Im just thinking you may decide to change your mind some time in the future. The air conditioner will probably be on the roof. Only the generator will take up extra space. How about a microwave. What if you get a week of bad weather, and the solar isnt keeping up. Options are always best.
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Yeah, you're right...back to the drawing board...
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10-15-2018, 11:14 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,637
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We've spent many summer without AC in the western states - all along the coast and in elevations 7,000 and above, preferably 8,000'. It's not hard to find cool spots.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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10-15-2018, 11:32 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Altitude. Higher = cooler.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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10-16-2018, 05:58 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 400
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Put a/c in during your build, much easer then doing it later.
There will be times you will need it, it will suck to be in a hot box trying to sleep. When I built my bus I put 2 in , and fans, I’m so glad I have a:c
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10-16-2018, 06:24 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,994
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grand Tour
Where (and when) can you go, where you can boondock in reasonable comfort without A/C, just using a couple of fans? What parts of the country, and what months?
We intend to build out our own conversion to a Sprinter cargo van and boondock full time upon my retirement. We're just re-thinking how attached we really want to be to a generator (and feeding it on a daily basis). If it weren't for the A/C system, we could get by on solar alone, and we're kind of weighing out whether the additional expense and complexity of buying, installing, maintaining, and repairing (not to mention the gasoline to feed the generator for hours and hours of every day) an air conditioner and generator, against simply following more comfortable weather.
Or maybe some middle ground, where we install an A/C system, keep a generator stowed in the back to run externally if we have to, but to generally follow more comfortable weather most of the time and rely on solar to do so...
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I bought my first tent trailer because I wanted more comfort. I bought my first 5th wheel because I wanted more comfort. When we travel now I want more comfort. If you don't care about comfort go with no A/C and no generator. In my opinion there is no way you can full time and never need the A/C, it's a choice only you can make.
__________________
2004 Montana 2955RL, 400 watt solar, 2000 watt inverter/charger, 4-Interstate 225AH 6volt golf cart batteries, All LED lights,Champion Remote start 3- fuel option 3100/3400 inverter/gen.- 2000 F-350 7.3 4x4 long bed crew cab SRW.
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