Best portable air conditioner for the truck?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Dino soar, Mar 12, 2022.

  1. loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    If you're confident in your ability to do minor electrical and HVAC, it's a pretty simple job. It does help to have two people to feed the tubing so it doesn't kink. My first unit I mounted the indoor unit over the lower sleeper window on a sheet of plywood. It would get really cold at night since it blew right on the bed. The second unit I mounted it up where the top bunk used to be. There is a function on the remote called "follow me" that lets the remote act as the thermostat. I turn that on and mount the remote next to the bed, and it works perfectly.
     
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  3. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I never realized with these systems were but I love the idea of that. To have heat and air conditioning and to have it right over the bed...

    A decent portable heater is probably like $400 or somewhere in that range. If you can buy a mini split for 900 or $1,000 that's seems like no comparison whatsoever what a great idea. I'm going to continue to look further into it.

    Thank you.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2022
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  4. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Does the heater work as well as the air conditioning?
     
  5. loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    Up to a point. I've never had it too hot that the AC couldn't keep it comfortable. The heat works great until you get close to freezing, then it starts to lose its effectiveness. I believe it has to defrost the outdoor unit more often, which causes it to fall behind during that process. It's not drastic like grab a jacket level cold, but I usually grab a long sleeve shirt if awake or a blanket for bed. Any colder than that and I use the bunk heater or idle.

    I'd probably guess I idle when it's below 15F. Between 15-40F I will use the bunk heater. Above 40F I use the mini split.
     
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  6. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    The space heater has kept me warm in 0 degree weather so that's not a problem and it's small and it's easy to put back under the bunk or whatever. It is not bulky or in my way at all like a portable ac unit would be.

    But I like the idea of the mini split and for the price of it it's not worth messing around with a portable ac unit.

    It would seem with a little elbow grease that all summer I could be nice and cool and comfortable.

    I appreciate your advice.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2022
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  7. JoeyJunk

    JoeyJunk Road Train Member

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    Here is an option. Its a bit pricey at $3000. I like the permanent under bunk installation. The fan can mount to rear of cab or underneath. They will install for $1200. Or ship to you factory direct for $600. Pretty straight forward install. The price sucks but I really like this set up.

    Dometic Truck AC Units

    The wording says “like new”. I forgot to ask about that. Since it was coming from the factory I assumed it was new.
     
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  8. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    For me I think that the mini split is a better situation. With the flat top I can mount the unit right on the wall behind the bunk and the AC basically is blowing right on me.

    Not only that those units are under $1,000, and with the Pioneer they give you a five year warranty.
     
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  9. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    Man, Dino, you're early. All the AC threads don't usually start til May or so.
     
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  10. Elroythekid

    Elroythekid Road Train Member

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    If you have a flat top you can get a Coleman roughneck and put it on the roof. They will freeze you out, and you can add a heat strip also. They are made for RV's so much more robust for on the road.
    There is a thread on here someplace from a guy who installs on in a mid roof Western Star, and it worked great. If I didnt have a co do I'd be ALL over one of those.
    With the unit on the roof, hot air rises so it works great for ac.
     
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  11. bumper Jack

    bumper Jack Heavy Load Member

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    Pioneer also offers a 115v under bench rv style for 1199 bucks. That may be the best option. Mount it under the bunk and everything is inside and out of the weather.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2022
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