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Grand Tour · 10-15-2018, 02:49 PM

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...

Old Scout · 10-15-2018, 02:53 PM

….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….

Grand Tour · 10-15-2018, 03:41 PM

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.

George Schweikle · 10-15-2018, 04:05 PM

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...

tuffr2 · 10-15-2018, 04:28 PM

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.

Reed Cundiff · 10-15-2018, 04:39 PM

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

fagnaml · 10-15-2018, 05:01 PM

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.

Duoglide1 · 10-15-2018, 05:48 PM

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.

winniman · 10-15-2018, 06:19 PM

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.

Grand Tour · 10-15-2018, 10:45 PM

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.

Yeah, you're right...back to the drawing board...

twogypsies · 10-15-2018, 11:14 PM

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.

vsheetz · 10-15-2018, 11:32 PM

Altitude. Higher = cooler.

gbstewart · 10-16-2018, 05:58 AM

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

weredoingit · 10-16-2018, 06:24 AM

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...

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.