Pop Up Camper AC – How To Install and How Much Does It Cost Per Month

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 09/19/22 •  6 min read

Right now, summer is in full bloom. It’s time to plan a camping trip. It’s a good time to plan a trip with people who like to camp and travel with pop-up campers. However, with hot weather, it’s difficult to enjoy a camping trip to the fullest.

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Pop-up camper ACs are useful gadgets that RV owners can consider buying for more pleasant camping trips when it gets really hot. We’ve collected all the information you need to know about AC units for pop-up campers. Our tips will help you to make the best choice.

Air conditioners come standard with most RVs. It is helpful to know how an RV’s AC works to prevent problems, protect it, and make sure it is running correctly to extend its life. But older RVs will need some help adjusting the AC or deserve a better unit.  It is reasonable to expect that any standard AC unit should be installed in an RV for a reasonable price, and the available floor space should be adequate for a system that maintains adequate cooling in an RV. It also something to consider if you are looking at RV rental cost for an extended period of time.

What to Consider When Picking an AC for a Pop Up Camper

There are several things you should consider before you buy an RV air conditioning unit. If you consider these factors, you will get a unit that is very suitable for your RV. Some critical factors to consider when buying an air conditioner for an RV are as follows:

Dual Usage

You do not want to spend serious money buying an RV AC that you will only use during the summer months. There are RV AC units that have dual usage capabilities. Some units are even equipped with a heat pump, which makes them perfect for use in very hot and very cold weather. It will save you money on propane because you will not use the furnace as often as you should.

But be aware that using dual-use air conditioners is very expensive, and heat pumps can sometimes not work when the outside temperature is too cold.

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Power

The first thing you should consider before buying an RV air conditioning unit is its power. If you only need the air conditioning for a short trip, you should go for a brand that offers durable products. RV AC units are rated in BTUs, which means that they can produce up to 13,500 BTUs of power. In many cases, smaller RVs can use as much as 13,500 BTUs of power, but this is helpful for short trips.

If you are planning to go on an extremely hot trip, get an AC unit that has more power. But if you don’t run the A/C all the time, go for an air conditioner that uses less power and that is more economical.

Brand Choice

One important factor to consider when buying an RV air conditioner is the brand of the unit. Some people prefer to buy a certain brand of RV air conditioner unit based on their previous experience, but it is not wise to do that. If you are planning to rent an RV with a certain brand, you should buy an RV AC unit that is made of durable and reliable material, and it should also be able to provide you with a list of replacement parts if you need it. It is convenient if you need to replace some parts in your RV AC unit, rather than replacing the entire unit.
Pop Up Camper AC

Average Cost of Air Conditioner for a Pop Up Camper

If you’re searching for the perfect air conditioning unit for your pop-up camper, the most important thing to look at is the number of BTUs that the unit has. Generally, the cost of an air conditioner increases with the number of BTUs.

It costs about $45 per month to run a 5,000 BTU air conditioner. It costs around $400 to run a 5,000 BTU air conditioner in some places. This is based on the cost of electricity per watt. If electricity is expensive, it will cost more to run a 5,000 BTU air conditioner.

AC units for pop-up trailers are not too expensive. They cost anywhere between $200 and $1500 depending on the type and the BTUs. Depending on the type and the number of BTUs, an air conditioner can cost between $200 and $1500. If you like to camp a lot, investing in an air conditioner for your roof is well worth the money. You can easily get a good quality air conditioner for much less by purchasing a cheap air conditioner that runs off a portable or window unit.

Furthermore, the cost of replacing an air conditioner in an RV varies greatly depending on the brand and the size of your RV. Cost to replace an RV air conditioner in your RV could be from $750 to $1,400, which doesn’t include the labor fees. Depending on the model and style of your RV, installation may run up to $2,000 or more.

How to Maintain the Air Conditioner for Your Pop Up Camper

If you maintain your RV air conditioner unit regularly, it will last for many years. If you take good care of it by regularly cleaning it, it will last you for a long time.

Change the air filters in your RV air conditioner to clean it properly. It will help it to work properly. You can easily remove the filters that you have put in your RV air conditioner for cleaning. If you don’t have a spare filter, try cleaning them every month.

Cleaning the outside of your RV air conditioner is just as important as cleaning its inside. Cleaning the shroud of your RV air conditioner with a compressed air blower is as important as cleaning the interior of it. It will also clean out any debris that may have accumulated in the coils of your air conditioner.

If you are planning to clean the filters, you should also look at your RV air conditioner coils. You can check with a flashlight to see if there is dirt accumulated in the coils or not. If there is, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove it. If you find a dusty area, use a vacuum to remove it.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.

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