Cab Air Con (2 Viewers)

[SmellyFeet]

Hi All

Seen a nice van, but doesn't have aircon. How much use is this with 2 kids in the back. Have just come back from foreign land where the high 30s was the norm, driving a car without aircon would have been hell, but I can see that an ordinary small engine driven unit isn't going to man enough for a whole van, so do you have to partition of the cabin and let the kids cook in solitude in the back, or do you just have nice cool draught chilling you wrist and elbow joints?

Is it worth holding out for or in reality is it not that much use?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Snowbird]

We have dash airco but its not much use past the driver and pasenger seats.We have been known to run the genny whilst driving and run the roof airco when its very sticky.

 

[lufcdave7]

We only have dash air con on the Chieftain, however, on our recent trip to France our son joined us for a week. Whilst travelling he was layed out in the lounge reading. When it got hot (and it did) we put the air con on, set the heater controls to dash only (i.e. no feet) angled the centre dash vents so cold air passed between the driver and passenger and set the fan speed to second position (nice and quiet) Not only did this keep Kath and I comfortable, our son also said he noticed the difference. Kath and I did not get frost bite on our arms!!! Didn't notice any change in mpg either.

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[DESCO]

Think this can depend on the base unit. I have never thought that they were that effective till I got the current van, did not order it but dash aircon came as a standard fitting on a Transit and I must say either the others I have driven have been shot or this one is particularly good, if this a sample then I would order in future. Well pleased.:thumb:


Dave:thumb::thumb:

 

[Peter JohnsCross MH]

If you are going to use the van in hot climates a lot, then get one with a roof mounted unit or buy a portable one (mains only though)

Peter

 

[scotjimland]

For European travel, I wouldn't be without cab air con, driving in the heat is very tiring and makes you stressed, however, we seldom if ever use the roof units.. better to get acclimatized than sit indoors with an air con on.. can't see the point..

Jim

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[warwick]

The big disadvantage of not having AC is having to have the Cab Windows open at speed the noise will eventually get on your nerves. The actual heat build up seems to depend on the size of the vehicle at the cab i.e. with or without a Luton, is it a large windscreen i.e. A Class or a Panel Van. We have had all three and the Panel Van benefits most from AC.
Remember AC requires regular running to maintain so can be a nuisance starting up every 2-4 weeks in winter.

 

[vwalan]

alot of trucks have a very cheap to buy /run cooler that fits the roof vent hole. you see them at truck shows. lots in spain etyc .use alot of water n work on evaporation principle.

 

[Scout]

saw a van at the service stop the other day, he had a tumble dryer vent pipe from the dash vent going back to the rear passanger seat. he said it works ok?

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[N&K]

We got back from Spain last week, on the trip we drove from West to East Coast Spain, in the middle the temperature in the back of the bus while driving reached 37C with windows and vents opens. I wasnt a funster that day

 

[pappajohn]

if you travel in a hot climate just pull down the window blinds, if the sun cant get in it cant get as hot......a few degrees cooler inside than with open blinds

 

[vwalan]

or only fit small windows high up .i think ive seen that done . i wonder where. alan.

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[scotjimland]

or only fit small windows high up .i think ive seen that done . i wonder where. alan.

them's peepin toms windows Alan .. but great for security :thumb:

 

[vwalan]

not good for the cab.was broken in at tagazoute.back window of cab and the rubber went missing along with radio, walky talky,s coats ,etc .same spot as 11 years ago when back window of vw went missing. could fit prison bars but not nice. even got my ferrari overalls keep your eyes out for a moroccan mechanic that looks like a formula 1 mechanic. he probably as got mine. (basssd).never mind .

 

[smifee]

i wouldn't buy any vehicle without aircon. Well OK maybe a motorcycleoh:

i always thought aircon was just to keep us cool on the 2 hot days per year in the UK but it clears the condensation on the windows quickly. in winter i think that's a safety issue.

the boss never turns the aircon off in her car winter or summer.

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[haganap]

I would go for roof aircon fitted correctly.

We have roof aircon and it has a waeco inverter which allows it to be used on 12v. it can also be used whilst travelling. Ok so it kills the batteries very quickly (i need to upgrade them) but it will run for 45 mins before doing so. I then turn it off keep driving in the van which is by now cool and the batteries recharge.

Alternately I am thinking of fitting an alternator kit I have heard about which kicks in more amps to the hab batteries, anyone know anything about this?

 

[SmellyFeet]

Thanks All

I think I'll hold out for the aircon.... I feel the heat in the middle of winter.

Cheers