Many people enjoy the “struggles” of camping. Summer draws more people to go camping than anytime of the year. However, it is very common for campers to add air conditioning to their tents and camper shells to escape the relentless heat.
This article will serve as a guide for installing air conditioning into your roof top tent. Furthermore, I will cover the expected cost, materials, and general information around this subject. Many of the tips and topics can be used for camper shells and ground tents too!
Can I put an air conditioner in a tent?
For some, camping in the summer may be down right unbearable. Areas that experience extremely hot and humid weather make it difficult to camp. The best solution to this is having air conditioning while you camp!
First, it is important to know the different air conditioning units you can use for camping.
The A/C unit I will use as an example today is a standard window air conditioner. Many campers prefer to use them because of the reasonable price and strong output of cold air. This particular unit is more difficult to accommodate into your tent. However, I will show below that a few modifications can make this a perfectly good option.
Another choice is a portable air conditioner. These are stand alone units that come with an exhaust hose to release the warm air. Portable units will often cost you more money for about the same output of a window unit.
Additionally, they are heavier and require you to empty a water reservoir every few hours. The added convenience of these models is where you see the extra cost come into play.
If you will be camping remotely without electricity and don’t want to buy a generator, you will need to purchase a battery powered fan unit.
How much would A/C in your tent cost?
A brand new air conditioning unit could cost anywhere from $150 – $300. There are many cost saving choices you can make when purchasing.
Depending on the A/C unit you buy, the price could creep up past $300. I don’t think this is necessary since you’re cooling such a small space. A tent is much smaller than any room or apartment that these units would typically be used for.
In theory, if you need a generator and an A/C unit, it could cost you a few hundred bucks all said and done. However, since you will be buying all of this equipment just for A/C on your tent or camper shell, you don’t need to buy it new.
I would highly recommend cutting costs and going with used items instead. You can find used A/C units for sale at online marketplaces such as Facebook, OfferUp, Craigslist, etc! Try to negotiate the seller down to the lowest possible prince, you’d be surprised!
To summarize, the expected cost of installing A/C really depends on the items you need to acquire and what condition you’re looking to buy them in. You have to be willing to invest a little bit of money for the added comfort and extended camping season.
What materials will you need to convert your window unit?
Now let’s get into the meat of this post!
The most cost effective option for adding A/C is buying a window unit and modifying it. Most if not all of these items listed you already own. Now a simple afternoon project remains for completion.
In general, here are a list of the materials needed to modify a window unit:
| Item | Average Cost |
| A/C unit | ~$150 |
| Dryer vent hose & hose clamp | $12 |
| HVAC elbow | $10 or less |
| Styrofoam | $5-10 |
| Duct tape | $5 |
| Self tapping screws | $5 |
You may have some of the required materials for this build laying around your house. If that’s the case, you could install and build the A/C for a very low cost! Most of these items are really cost effective.
Experienced campers and outdoorsmen may already own a generator.
As far as tools go, you will need a drill and a large drill bit or a hole saw. If you don’t have a large enough drill bit, you probably don’t need to buy one. The metal you’re cutting through on the A/C unit is really thin and you can cut through it with another tool you already have.
A hose clamp or zip tie can be used to secure the dryer vent hose to the A/C unit. Hose clamps are really cheap and easy to install so I would recommend just buying that for a couple of bucks.
If you buy a new A/C unit, you can even use the styrofoam from the packaging instead of buying some! That’s what the gentle in the video below did!
Helpful video
Below is a video that helps you visual the process of converting a window unit. It is very short and to the point. What I like best about the video is how simple it looks and doesn’t require a handyman (or woman) to complete it!
How do you cool a tent with electricity?
Most importantly you will need a power source. Camping air conditioners require a 120-volt power source. This takes a fair amount of energy to be powered. Make sure you pack a proper outdoor extension cord that can handle the wattage required to power the unit.
If you’re not at a campsite with an outlet to plug into, you will need a generator to power your air conditioning unit. This is another topic you can get deep into. You can get an electric or gas powered generator, but either way it will power the A/C unit.
Features to look for in a camping air conditioner
Some features on an air conditioner are more valuable than others. I will give a few to look for as you search different A/C units.
- The size of a room will factor into how many BTU’s (measure of heat) of output you will need from an A/C unit.
However, in this circumstance it is safe to say most roof tents are similar in size. Even the biggest RTTs can’t exceed the limited footprint of your vehicle’s roof. So don’t worry too much about the BTU output, as almost any A/C unit will make a huge difference.
- Many air conditioning units come with a remote control.
This would be so useful for turning the unit off from inside of your tent. When this thing is blasting at night you can get very cold. Having the ability to turn it down or off completely is way better than getting out of your tent and climbing down the ladder at night.
- I teased this earlier in the article, but consider weight and size as you pick between units.
Generally when you’re camping, the smaller and lighter the item, the better! It can already be difficult fitting all of your gear into a vehicle so keep this in mind.
- Where will you primarily be camping, in remote areas or campgrounds?
I ask because having electricity is key for powering an A/C unit. Without it, you may be forced to get a battery powered unit if you camp in remote locations frequently.
Why install A/C into your tent?
Depending on the climate you’re camping in, summer nights will cool you down and provide relief from the relentless heat. Some areas provide little to no relief when the sun sets. A/C will prevent fatigue and reduce perspiration. Being able to protect against possible heat strokes is important in extremely hot climates. Lastly, being able to have a good night of sleep in the comfort of your cool tent.
This luxury certainly isn’t right for everyone. However, if you’re researching this topic you probably think A/C for your tent would go a long way!
RTTs get really toasty sitting in the sun all day. They will cool down a bit after you open them up which is nice. Growing up in Las Vegas, I was exposed to some extreme summer heat.
Camping in the middle of summer was pretty rough in the desert. 115°F during the day and a “cool” 100°F at night, it seemed impossible to get away from that desert heat.
Using a camper shell for camping is fun and easy, but provides very little air flow and relief from the heat. This addition would be huge for this particular set up. Instead of filtering it into a RTT, you would simply cut a piece of styrofoam to fit your side window of your camper shell and cut a whole in it to fit the A/C hose.
Now, if you’re an avid camper looking for some extra comfort I think this addition to your setup is really helpful. For the more casual camper, you may not find this add on necessary and that’s okay!
Tips while using camping air conditioners
It is important to maintain and treat your unit well over time.
- You should clean the air filter out periodically. Read your particular units owners manual so you can properly clean the filter.
- Don’t leave your A/C unit out in the rain. Even if you turn it off, be sure you unplug it from the extension cord or outlet it’s connected to.
- Make sure you buy a proper extension cord for outdoor use that can handle the elements and amps required to power the A/C unit.
Where is camping with A/C common?
In parts of the United States and rest of the world this is fairly common. In Central and South America, roof top tent manufacturers actually design their tents with pre cut holes. This pre cut hole in the tent is meant to receive airflow from an air conditioning unit.
As I alluded to earlier, extremely hot and dry climates such as the desert could benefit greatly from an A/C unit. I have never lived in a very humid area so I cannot relate, but everything I have read indicates that A/C in that climate would also be a game changer.
If RV owners consider that “camping”, then it is very common to have A/C when camping. While RV’s cost much more and have more amenities overall, why not equip your RTT with A/C for that much more comfort? Glamping is becoming more mainstream anyway!
Do you need to cut a hole in your roof tent for A/C?
Straight to the point, no! You should not have to cut a hole in your tent.
You can if you think it is necessary and feel comfortable doing so. Personally, I wouldn’t want to cut a hole into my RTT.
The dryer hose is super pliable and can be wedged into small spaces. Depending on the model of your tent, this may be simple or more complicated.
You’re probably familiar with the design of your tent and have an idea or two on where you would place the hose. I would get a longer hose to insure it will reach up to my RTT.
Pros vs Cons
How should you know if installing A/C for camping is right for you?
Here are some Pros:
- Families, kids, and dogs would benefit with some relief from the heat. While you and I can probably tolerate it, maybe they can’t! You spent good money on your RTT anyway and there is no reason not to get the most out of it!
- A good night of sleep. Camping with kids or the family is a lot of fun. Oftentimes, they need more accommodations and comfort than you would. Having air conditioning installed will guarantee comfortable travels for you and your loved ones.
- Ensuring the safety of your family members is very important. For seniors and younger kids, camping in extremely hot weather can be dangerous. This can lead to exhaustion, fatigue, and even a heat stroke. A/C will ensure you are safe and comfortable at all hours of the day.
- You will have a place to escape from the heat and stop excessive perspiration.
Some cons I would like to point out are as follows:
- It’s expensive. This isn’t a cheap project. Some options are more expensive than others depending on which unit you buy.
- Equipment, equipment, and more equipment. Camping already requires you bring a bunch of gear and essentials for a pleasant trip. Add this to the pile of things to pack before you leave the house. It’s also not the smallest item to fit in your vehicle.
Conclusion
While adding air conditioning to a roof top tent, camper shell, or ground tent may not be for all campers, it’s surely great for some! You can keep the set up extremely simple or have a build that is more robust. Whether you mount the A/C unit or simply keep it near your tent, both get the job done.
The cost of the installation can be quite low, with the majority of the cost being the A/C unit itself. Camping is the perfect means to escape from all the noise for a weekend. If it’s too hot to go camping, adding air conditioning to your tent can be the perfect solution.
This is a perfect solution to extending your camping season, while adding safety and comfort for your entire family. I hope you found this article helpful and were able to come away with a better understanding of the topic.