Introduction
Compact pop-up campers like the Jayco are making headway in the contemporary RV market. But, frustratingly, they do not currently come with an AC unit as standard. Therefore, it is up to the RV owner to make an informed decision for the best possible option for them.
However, the AC market is vast, spanning several variables to consider. Therefore, this article has been created to help you keep ahead of the curve and choose the best possible AC setup.
What is a Jayco Pop-Up Camper?
The RV industry has seen a considerable surge in popularity in recent years. This boom in demand has seen several innovative RV designs and concepts have taken the market by storm.
Notably, this movement has produced pop-up camper pheromones. This style of RV is designed for those who need more storage capacity than the budget of a traditional RV enthusiast.
They are designed to be lightweight, easily towed, and stored camper with a small maneuverable profile. When they are parked, they perform their signature pop-up maneuver, which allows them to expand considerably.
Jayco Pop-Up Campers are among the many new market entrants that have taken the market by storm. They have created an ultra-lightweight camper that is renowned for its robust, compact, and versatile designs.
Once popped, it has all the standard features and some unexpected bonuses, including a full-size queen and double bed, mains electrical power, dining area, and indoor and exterior cooking facilities.
The Jayco Pop-Up really is one of the best pop-up campers on the market. However, it lacks an essential AC unit which is critical for summer vacations
Additionally, if you are considering using the Jayco in a hotter climate, you will have seriously considered the necessity for adding an AC system. Therefore, you must understand all of the options and variables involved in marking the best purchase for your beloved RV.
What to Consider Before you Buy
Firstly you must be aware of the power-hungry nature of AC. Fortunately, the Jaco Pop-Up is supplied with a 110V power inverter, which is necessary for powering AC units. However, the larger and more thirsty the unit, the faster it will drain your onboard battery system.
Therefore, when you are considering an AC unit, you should be aware of how long you could power it for and if you require additional battery reserve or a less powerful unit.
As with most RV-related purchases, budget is an essential factor. Fortunately, more AC brands have entered the market in recent years, which has developed a competitive environment that has driven prices down.
As a result, there is a vast range of AV units available from the low hundreds of dollars to over a thousand. As you will expect, the more expensive units tend to be more electrically economical and have more features, but many of the cheaper varieties are still excellent options.
Size and weight are essential considerations for pop-up campers. This style of RV is created with the intention of being lightweight and compact. Therefore you must weigh up how powerful a unit you will need in your climate with how compact you wish your RV to remain.
Air Conditioner For Jayco Pop Up Camper
There are a copious number of brands and AC units available to purchase. However, they all fall under a few installation and operation styles: Window/wall, roof, and portable. Each of these classes of AC provides different benefits and issues to be considered.
Window/Wall/Door Mounted
The most common and, in many ways, the most practical class of AC units are wall and window-mounted. They are effective because they are reasonably compact units that can utilize a lot of external space, which uses essentially no infringement on the interior space.
Often they are the least expensive option and can be picked up easily as they are generally the most common style of AC in homes. In addition, their home use tendency means they are very powerful and excellent at cooling down large spaces quickly.
There are several severe drawbacks to the wall/window/door-mounted options. They tend to be the least economical in terms of power usage due to their typical operating environments.
Moreover, they are not designed in any way for RV use which causes significant implications. You must utilize one of the few windows or cut a hole in the wall space to install this system, which is not only impractical but wasteful.
It will leave a huge amount of the unit sticking out in the profile of the Finally, due to the expanding and contracting nature leaves very few options for this style of installation. Even if a suitable space can be found, it will compromise the structural integrity of Jayco.
Roof
The Jayco pop-up has a solid roof which makes it a very suitable location for an AC unit.
Using a roof-mounted unit means the user can select their optimal location, whether it be over a bed or living space. These units are purpose designed for RVs, which makes the installation and positioning process far more straightforward.
In addition, they are slimline to maintain an RV’s aerodynamical qualities, which are paramount to the Jayco concept. Finally, they are primed to cool down the entire vehicle with minimal power usage and can even be used with low-voltage DC if required.
The drawbacks of this system are that they tend to be the more expensive of all the options. They have a bespoke design for the RV industry, which means they are more specialized with a price tag to go with them.
Additionally, they do not come as standard on the Jayco, which means you will have to pay for professional installation.
Portable
Portable AC units are an excellent option for those who only require cooling for a specific period of the year. These units require no installation, which offers a greater degree of flexibility.
Portability provides the opportunity to move the AC with you to any RV location, which can be of great benefit. Their price range is far wider, which means they can be a far less expensive choice for a more economically minded RV enthusiast.
Space is in short supply in the Jayco Pop-Up. Therefore, using a cumbersome device that has to take up precious floor space can seem counterproductive.
In addition, although they can be far cheaper than alternatives, they tend to be less optimal at cooling and drain power very quickly.
Conclusion
Every style of AC unit has its pros and cons when it comes to the Jayco Pop-Up camper. After reading this article, you will be in a position to make the best-informed decision for you.
Considerations must be made over the cost, location, ease of use, and power to make the best possible choice for you and your RV. Therefore, being fully informed to choose between the ever-growing options is vital for a conscientious RV owner.
