Do I need cab aircon

[amd6570]

I am looking to purchase my first motorhome and have it in my head I really need in cab air con but at my price range there are not many around.
I have aircon in my car and have done so for years and find it really useful in the hot weather.
Will a motorhome be different, will I regret not getting one with it fitted.
Not too bother about the habitation area as I will open windows and may get a Maxxfan fitted .

 

[Landy Andy]

Where do you plan to holiday/drive?

 

[amd6570]

Where do you plan to holiday/drive?

UK to start off and France maybe next year.

 

[Nigel Crompton]

Yes, you do .....

 

[Coolcats]

I am looking to purchase my first motorhome and have it in my head I really need in cab air con but at my price range there are not many around.
I have aircon in my car and have done so for years and find it really useful in the hot weather.
Will a motorhome be different, will I regret not getting one with it fitted.
Not too bother about the habitation area as I will open windows and may get a Maxxfan fitted .

Yes it’s not much fun driving in sweltering conditions

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[denisejoe]

I just open the window never needed to use air con

 

[Figaro]

We all managed without air con years ago and just got on with it, but it definitely does make life much more comfortable.
I think you will regret it if you buy a motorhome without air con

 

[Grianan]

Yes!

 

[Garfields]

First van we bought had air con that was not working.
We knew there was a fault when bought and it was the layout we were after.
Turned out to just need a regas and was fine for the five years we had it.
Wouldn't buy a van without it know.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Yes

To paraphrase being rich doesn't make you happy but it helps

Far better with, than without

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[Lenny HB]

Yes definitely.

 

[DBK]

Aircon very useful in winter too for demisting. We run ours all year round.

 

[monzer]

My aircon is broke and I definitely miss it. Last year I drove from Edinburgh to Aberdeen during the heatwave and it must have been touching 30 in the cab.

Best I could do was open drivers and passenger window and move the hot air about.

So yes, even in Scotland these summers it's better to have air-con.

 

[Guigsy]

We drove through Germany in the previous van a few years ago when it was over 35C and high humidity. No aircon. It was ok when we were moving and we could get some air through. Our PVC had wind deflectors on the windows, which meant we could have the windows all the way down even at motorway speeds without the booming turbulence. We got used to the heat and got used to being a bit sweaty all the time. But when we got caught in a traffic jams, it became more uncomfortable.

New van has aircon.

 

[mikebeaches]

I really wouldn't want any vehicle without a/c now. Yes, it is possible to manage without, especially if you are younger - but my advice would be to make sure you get a MH that has cab air con.

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[Riverbankannie]

I'm with the majority, would not get one without. Mostly we go on holiday hoping to get some sun and that means a hot cab.

 

[Ernesto]

Yes ... if not for you, most certainly for resale.

 

[gus-lopez]

head I really need in cab air con

Yes you do

have aircon in my car and have done so for years and find it really useful in the hot weather.

Same for the van

Will a motorhome be differen

No

will I regret not getting one with it fitted.

Oh yes

I just open the window never needed to use air con

Try zaragoza in July when an arm out the window at 50 mph only gets burnt by the hot air

We all managed without air con years ago and just got on with it,

Yes but summer temps rarely rose above 20°c

 

[WillH]

For France, even when they're not having a heatwave, definitely.

 

[amd6570]

Thanks everyone, you have reinforced my thoughts on this.
I will be looking for one with aircon fitted.

Cheers.

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[denisejoe]

Try zaragoza in July when an arm out the window at 50 mph only gets burnt by the hot air

No thanks! Never going to happen, don't go anywhere in July and August.

 

[Charlie57]

As you say you like air con in the car so the van windscreen will be bigger than the one in the car = more heat so yes you need it

 

[AJM2]

Yes
I went in a convoy down to the South of France with friends. They didn’t have it and they were cooked and had a difficult trip. There is just so much glass in a MH I couldn’t imagine being without cab air-con.

 

[Itsmcb]

Edinburgh to Aberdeen during the heatwave

Haha, that made me smile, probably the only time you didn't need a ski jacket

 

[Just smiffy]

Yes definitely.

Only turns on over 30c though….

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[EuroTrotters]

Yes, you do !

42c in Italy a couple of years ago, not great fun even with the tab A/C going on the move.

We are on our 4th Motorhome in 20 years. The first three had cab A/C, the first one retrofitted in the UK.

However, our current one was a bargain and the German Buyer did not tick the A/C on the options. Made when you think in the whole grand scheme of things, the extra cost would be minimal.

I am a trained Automotive A/C engineer too, to make things sting more.

One thing new buyers need to be wary of. Manufacturers, Frankia as an example did once list A/C on. sprinter base as £2,750. But the True factory options price was less than £1,000. So this gives them more profit or a cheeky way of offering discounted prices.

I would advise anyone who is purchasing a new motorhome, in particular at Dusseldorf. To make sure you compare the Converters Price list options for factory chassis upgrades. To that of the Base Manufacturers list price. Also bear in mind, discounts can be negotiated on the Base Chassis by the converter !

 

[tonyidle]

Aircon very useful in winter too for demisting. We run ours all year round.

It lasts longer if permanently on - apparently preventing the compressor seals from drying out.

 

[cyberyacht]

Just so long as you do your holidays in the winter or alternatively northern Norway, possibly not.

 

[daventess]

We're investigating aircon at the moment. We intend to spend a lot of time in France so I think it's essential at our age. We have it already in the cab, but not in the hab. Memories of staying in Italy in 35deg+ in a non-airconed apartment - it was horrible! I can't imagine sleeping in a tin can in French summer temperatures will be any better without aircon.

Will be starting a new thread on aircon unit recommendations shortly

 

[Nanniemate]

Aircon is great if its in your price range but if you can't afford it your opening a window.