We are new RVers who have not gone boondocking yet. We were wondering how you manage to stay cool. Do you have to run the generator for hours at a time to use the ACs? Any information will be appreciated.

We spend a lot of time looking for areas that are cool. Our generator is for pumping up the batteries after a three day rain (and snow). We migrate to the mountains or pacific coast in the summer and just run the furnace once in a while to augment the blankets. Aside from that, it is sort of like tenting, with a very snug tent.

We had no generator big enough to run the AC, didn't want one. Instead we boondocked at higher elevations and farther north in the warmer months. If it was still warm we moved into the shade and got out our little Honda to keep the batteries up instead of the solar.

Like the others have said, the only way to keep cool in summertime without running the A/C is to stay in cool places. While we may occasionally travel in hot areas in the summer time, we would never consider boondocking in those areas. And with the cost of fuel now it would probably cost more to run the generator at night than to pay for RV hookups.

I agree with others: Either go farther north or higher in elevation...or both.

We spent last summer dry camping in the New Mexico State Park system. We camped at the parks in the northern part of the state all of which were at 7,000' and higher. Never needed A/C at all.

ok,soit doesn'tlooklike we'll be boonedockingin this 1oo degree heat/because Idon'twant to run the gen set all day and night thanks to all

I've had my water hose freeze overnite in July in La Pine,Oregon..

Saw a note that somebody got several inches of snow today. I could use some here in Phoenix!

Finding cool weather for boondocking can be challenging. Neither of us like hot weather. We prefer clear, sunny days with temperatures about 70 degrees. That is nearly impossible to find in July-September.

As was mentioned earlier, going north and high altitiuded helps.

I don't like to HAVE to look for cool camping spots to stay comfortable - flexibility in a rig is important to me, so here's some tips:

A) Very low energy but high output 12V portable fans can be used, such as those large diameter ones made by Endless Breeze. They even put out a great draft on low setting - which takes around 1 amp at 12 volts. I carry a 25 foot 12 volt cable for mine so we can use it outside at the picnic table or blowing on us in the lounge chairs. Chases the flys away too. A small solar panel will even power these during the heat of the day with no house battery depletion for several hours during the day.

2) The new high efficiency 13,500 BTU air conditioners only require around 8 amps when running. These MAY reliably operate off the legendary Holy Grail of small, quiet, gas sipper generators - the Honda 2000 inverter one. I haven't tried it nor read of any one confirming it yet - but it's probably going to work with someone posting to confirm it, soon.

3) Some RV'ers use swamp coolers in their rigs - which take far less power than air conditioners. Probably 2 to 4 large house batteries would handle one of these fine with even minimal solar or a small generator for intermittent battery top off. These DO require water, however.

4) If you have a small rig, they DO make smaller air conditioners that can operate off 500 to 600 amp hour house battery banks. This system could be kept charged via a Honda 2000 inverter generator or 500+ watt's worth of solar panels. As an example, the Earthroamer uses battery powered air conditioning with solar charging.

It may be not fun to stay long periods in hot locations, but for short stays for specific reasons an "ideal rig" could be set up to temporarily deal with the heat.

My new 12 volt portable fan has a rechargeable battery in it....I love it! I can run it both ways. I found it a Wally World, but you can order them online as well, it's an O2 Cool brand.

.....improve insulation and close off windows on the outside of your rig....the only way to stay cool cheaply....might shade part of rig with a canvas in the heat of the day it will help....geofkaye

I know they sell a swamp cooler for the roof it's $700 and I think it works well as long as there's not much humidity. I was thinking of going to Home Depot and trying to find a small one that I could put outside and run a air hose into the rv. I could take it in and out. They make smaller ones for apartments. Just a thought. Our ac runs so much and then the campground power goes down and we have to shut off other things. The swamp cooler I believe runs off of 12 volt which could be good and save some power.

One thing to consider with swampers is they also will use about 35gpd (galloms per day) of water at 3500cfm.

If your near a lake or stream, you can use a heat exchanger (auto heater coil) with a differential controller to run a chilled water system. The fan would be the largest amp draw with the controls and pump using about 1ahr steady for calculations.

Another chilled water system can use a bladder tank(waterbed matterass) under the RV as a holding tank for water. The tank may cool at night thus beable to keep up the heat demand during the day.

I no longer have it on my hard drive, but I used to have some very simple plans on making a swamp cooler for about $40. It was just a pvc setup with a cooler pad, a pump and a water trough to hold and recycle the water. It was placed outside an open RV window and a cheap 3- speed fan was placed on the inside of the window. The cooler could be made and in use in less than four hours. The cooler was very easy to remove and reinstall. I remember the plans if anyone would care to try it out.
Carl