Solar panel/roof rack question

[yogini]

Hi everyone!

After lurking off and on here for over two winters (the times I dream of escaping the cold and living minimally on the road) trying to decide between a van and a teardrop, I think I'm ready to place an order for a very barebones teardrop-like mini-camper that is light enough to be pulled by my trusty Subaru Impreza. It was a long decision and I'm not really sure it's over yet, but I want to place this order before the end of the week so it will be ready for me to bug out of the miserably dark and cold Pennsylvania winter a couple of weeks before Xmas.

My question is: If I don't order a roof rack (with the intention of having solar panels for boondocking) and an installed a/c unit NOW, how difficult is it for me to find someone to install these for me? I'm not mechanically inclined at all.

My intentions are to use the camper a bit in FL this winter, then in the Northeast summer, and hopefully in Arizona in the coming winters. I'll be traveling with my dog and need to keep him comfortable but I myself am not a huge a/c fan and would rather be outside in the shade than cold in a box!

So, what kind of places can I trust to do this on a mini-camper? How easy are they to find in, say, Pennsylvania?

Thanks, looking forward to any help!

Julie

 

[Sabatical]

Welcome Julie
You probably can't do what you are thinking of for two reasons. The battery capacity you would need to run an a/c would be extremely heavy and require many watts of solar to properly charge. My guess is there isn't enough room on top of a subaru or teardrop for more than 300 watts.
For your intended setup and need for a/c, a small generator may be your only choice.
Another less expensive and maintenance free option would be to do like many folks on this forum and change elevation based on desired temperature. This is easy to do in Arizona, but not easy in Florida.
Hang out here long enough though and you'll most likely find answers to any question you can think of.

 

[yogini]

Thanks so much Sabatical! This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. Looks like you've saved me from making an unnecessary purchase for sure? And yes, had thought to chage elevations in AZ. Will continue lurking and collecting info!
Julie

 

[BradKW]

I came across this unit awhile back and booked it...I liked how its designed for ducted in and out flow. But yeah, you're not going to be able to run it on solar...either a campground or small generator needed. About the only choice for solar AC without a larger and expensive setup, is what's known as a swamp cooler...which works off evaporative cooling. You basically add ice...google it if interested. It doesn't work in high humidity climates tho.

Ironically, just before xmas is when I make my yearly trip to Pittsburgh for my fill of charming, gray, cold, crappy weather. But its good to be reminded why I left

 

[Sabatical]

We take our two dogs on the road with us. We travel from the chill of northeastern New York to the blessed warmth of Arizona in winter. The dogs do just fine. We don't live with a/c at home and i've removed it from our camper. We couldn't run it with our solar setup anyway. We do use 12v fans and make sure all of us have plenty of water. I think that the dogs really like the warmth that we find when travelling. I know my wife and i do.
It gets plenty warm in PA in the summer and not extremely hot in Florida in the winter. I'd bet your dog will do just fine.

 

[BradKW]

also had this site marked... I liked how simple and clean the build is, and that they've found a way to make something building these. The prices seem quite reasonable, especially for a shell + trailer.

www.honeybadgercampers.com