A/C in a tent?

[BigDaddyRog]

Im starting to plan my 2008 trip. I've never camped in a tent with my family because my wife thinks it will be awfull, but I'm pretty sure I can persuade her to give it a try ONCE if I can figure out a way to air condition a tent. Has anyone used a portable A/C in a tent, or do those ice chest fans really work? Maybe a humidifier will cool it some? Any suggestions would be great.
Also, I was planning to do this in the begining of Sept 08 because of the Free Dining Plan, but have heard that free dining may not be available to tent and RVers. Anyone know about this?
And finally, how frustrating would it be to put a 20'x10' tent on a site? Is that too big of a tent to fit in the sandy area, or should I keep shopping for a smaller tent? There will only be four of us this time, but my wifes a major claustrophobic, so Im hoping a larger tent will prevent her from feeling trapped, but if it wont easily fit, then she just may have to suck it up some. I think as long as its a cabin/cottage style tent vs dome style she should be ok.
Ive learned alot from you guys already and I value any suggestions. And if I could figure out the search feature on this site, I'd probably ask less questions!!

 

[des1954]

I have seen many tents over the years that have A/C. I would suggest you check out the portable units that are on wheels & have a hose set-up similar to one you would use to vent your dryer. In a large tent they would pose no problem. Haier makes a fairly nice one & is available in different BTU's that range from 500 BTU's to 18,000 BTU. They can be a little on the heavy side (50 to 80 lbs), but well worth a little muscle strain to be comfortable. I believe you can order on-line thru Wal-Mart for about $350 to $400. You might want to Google "Portable Air Conditioners" and see what you come up with. A humidifying unit (swamp cooler) in Florida would be about as useful as one in NOLA, as the humidity in Fla is horrendous!

A large tent should be okay on the coquina shell pad. Just make sure to get a big enough tarp to cover the ground under the tent to protect the floor.

I think planning the trip is almost as exciting as the trip itself!!

Whatever you end up doing... have fun!

Debbie

 

[tim5055]

Has anyone used a portable A/C in a tent, or do those ice chest fans really work? Maybe a humidifier will cool it some? Any suggestions would be great.
Also, I was planning to do this in the begining of Sept 08 because of the Free Dining Plan, but have heard that free dining may not be available to tent and RVers. Anyone know about this?
And finally, how frustrating would it be to put a 20'x10' tent on a site? Is that too big of a tent to fit in the sandy area,

Skip the humidifier or ice A/C. They work in warm dry climates, but will not work in Florida. It's already about 98% humidity all the time, so adding more water will just cause an indoor rain storm. Portable A/C units are available at most stores (WalMart, Costco) and while they will run a lot, they will keep a tent reasonably cool, even in a Florida summer.

Book a partial hook up site (water/electric only) and you get a much larger sand pad, so your tent should fit.

Due to the low cost fo sites and the occupancy of 10, campsites are not included in the free dining plans.

 

[Colson39]

I also would do a search on this Camping forum, there have been some really good and lengthy discussions on A/C in tents, where you can find tons of information. I know there has been at least a couple in the last few months.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I would suggest you check out the portable units that are on wheels & have a hose set-up similar to one you would use to vent your dryer.....edit.....I think planning the trip is almost as exciting as the trip itself!!

Whatever you end up doing... have fun!

Debbie

So, what do you do with the hose, does it go to the outside of the tent?( Im sure thats a stupid question, or Im setting myself up for some major ribbing right now) SO if I get an A/C on wheels, I could place it in front of the tent door and hang the hose outside? Is that all its gonna take to shut my DWs mouth??? Man, all the years I've wasted!!

Yes, I love planning this stuff out...the last couple of times we went to Disney was a spur of the moment thing where it was like "Well, I got paid this large sum of cash, lets go to WDW instead of paying off some bills!!" and we'd never get to stay on Disney Property or eat anywhere decent because we never planned ahead. Ive got ressies for almost every night for next months trip, even lucked out and got a dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table. Ive enjoyed planning next months trip so much that thats why Im starting to plan for 2008. And thats where the A/C'd tent comes into play, but since Disney doesnt offer the free dining to campers, maybe I'll just stay at the Fort and take the crew to Universal since we havent been there in over 10 yrs.....and the planning takes an unexpected twist!!!!

 

[ntsammy5]

So, what do you do with the hose

OK. I'm trying to resist temptation here.

The AC stays outside and the hose goes in the door. The hose is where the cold air comes out. You can also cut a hole in the tent for the hose. That's not a good idea if it's a really good tent though. Hope this helps.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

The hose is where the cold air comes out. You can also cut a hole in the tent for the hose. That's not a good idea if it's a really good tent though. Hope this helps.

OOOOooooohhhhh......now I'm getting the picture. I had the whole thing turned around. I was thinking maybe the condensation came out of the hose...Im looking at them on ebay right now. This is a great idea ya'll....thanks.

 

[big kahuna1]

Actually, you were correct the first time. The hose definately goes outside and the unit stays inside. Here is a link to Sam's Club of a unit.



http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=359849

 

[ntsammy5]

Actually, you were correct the first time.

Sorry, the one I was talking about is pretty large and very expensive. It's more for commercial applications. This is the kind you want.

 

[big kahuna1]

Ntsammy5,

I figured you were talking about one of those huge units you see when the phone company is underground and you see the big yellow hose going down the man hole. That unit would surely work but like you said...that unit is out of my pocket book range for sure.

 

[ntsammy5]

We had some smaller units in the military that were great but still very $$$$. But they could survive a mortar attack -- can't put a price on that!

 

[loriandmatt]

those portable AC units do work, but they sure are expensive. if you have an extra small window AC unit hanging around and you don't mind being a bit creative and rednecking it up a little bit.....you could rig that sucker in your tent and save yourself the 300-400 bucks.

window unit AC sitting at corner edge of one of your zip up entrances. place unit on milk crate. milk crate should be propped up so that unit is actually tipped backwards slightly. this will allow condensation to drip back and away from tent. front of AC unit (that blows the cold air) is actually inside tent. zipper can be zipped up as tightly around that unit as possible. We have see it where they used double stick velco around the unit to secure the tent to the side of the unit. foam can fill in the holes that are left after zipper is closed.

this works best if your tent has more than one entrance or if you have a zip up window in tent. you can rig this up and leave in place when you are coming and going from tent instead of having to secure the foam each time you open/close the tent.

again, quite a hassel, but if you don't mind the rigging process and are looking to save the few hundred dollars....it will work.

 

[des1954]

The AC stays outside and the hose goes in the door. The hose is where the cold air comes out. You can also cut a hole in the tent for the hose. That's not a good idea if it's a really good tent though. Hope this helps.

Leave it to my brother (ntsammy5 - with the engineering degree) to get it "bass-ackwards"!!

The unit stays inside the tent, and the hose vents out thru the zipper door (at the bottom) of the tent.


Now, these are about 2 1/2 to 3 ft tall & about 18 - 20 inches wide & deep - so they are not good for a small tent. Here's a link where you can find out more info....

http://www.bizrate.com/airconditioners/installation-type--portable/products__att443126--700-.html

 

[splashmtnfan]

I have seen people at campgrounds all around Texas, almost just like the last one posted. The only difference I have seen is they use the double zipper, where they zip up and zip down their door zippers around the a/c and they prop the front of the unit itself (for drainage) with wooden triangular door wedges permanently attached to the crate. These people camp all summer and their a/cs go everywhere with them! Just the front of the a/c actually sticks inside the tent.

 

[merryweather20]

Agreed the hose definitely goes out! I've never seen one that wasn't HUGE though, so plan on it takin up alot of space in your tent. The windowless ones are smaller but they only work if you can vent the hot air to a separate room.

If it were me I'd pack a small fridge (a little cheaper than the AC) before you go to the park throw in some drinks, your pjs and a couple of ice packs when you come back you'll be good to go

 

[des1954]

If it were me I'd pack a small fridge (a little cheaper than the AC) before you go to the park throw in some drinks, your pjs and a couple of ice packs when you come back you'll be good to go

This is a great idea in a climate that is not hot & humid. Believe me... although this would offer temporary relief in Fla... from May to October the effect would only last 3 minutes or less! Overnight low's in Fla in the summer are about 85 degrees with 90% humidity!! Yowch!! Although a lot of people tent camp in Fla in the summer...I'm not one of them (even though I grew up tent camping) & I've lived here 34 years (Buffalo transplant).

BigDaddyRog... if you don't want to go the A/C route (but I'm afraid your DW will insist)... you will want to spend about an hour each evening in the pool before retiring & make sure you have fans for the tent. An evening swim will bring down your body temp enough that, with a fan blowing on you, you can stay somewhat comfortable through the night. Me however...would opt for some kind of A/C unit!

 

[Shannone1]

So, what do you do with the hose, does it go to the outside of the tent?( Im sure thats a stupid question, or Im setting myself up for some major ribbing right now) SO if I get an A/C on wheels, I could place it in front of the tent door and hang the hose outside? Is that all its gonna take to shut my DWs mouth??? Man, all the years I've wasted!!

Yes, you would just want to make sure the hose is off to the side so the condesation doesn't make a big puddle in front of your door. Some tents have little windows or even half doors in back that would work for that too. We bought our portable a/c unit at Home Depot a couple of years ago.

Yes, I love planning this stuff out

Me too !! AAMOF, I have all of our bigger trips for next year planned out and will make reservations for the other weekends in the spring. We are taking an 8 week trip out west in the summer of '09 and I am starting to look at routes and websites to get ideas.

 

[clkelley]

Also there is the following. It takes some modifications to a tent, but is a permanent A/C solution for the tent.

http://acboot.com/

 

[des1954]

Also there is the following. It takes some modifications to a tent, but is a permanent A/C solution for the tent.

http://acboot.com/

Carol - This is AWESOME!! Leave it to you to have the info on it!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

you don't mind being a bit creative and rednecking it up a little bit.....you could rig that sucker in your tent and save yourself the 300-400 bucks.

Rednecking it up a bit.......now we're talkin!!!! This is actually a great alternative. I've always been the type that could fix anything with a good hammer and a brand new shiney roll of duct tape!!
I can see it now....me, the 2 younger DDs and the wife,.....roughing it in the wilderness. EEEEeewwww, Im getting chills!!
Thanks for the info on the partial hook-up sites....they ARE much larger in the back, this is coming together nicely. You guys are "Da Bomb"...Im so outdated with my kids "leftover from last summer" lingo!!!