Bringing AC to the Bed +/- Trailer?

I need to figure out how to air condition the bed (camper shelled in) or my 6x10 cargo trailer so when I travel cross country, the dogs don't die of heat stroke since they sure as hell don't fit in the cab (access cab, 2 German Shepherds, me and my travel supplies = No Go). I've got the standard tow package with the 7 pin... maybe something I can do with wiring AC in there?

I'm looking for any advice or build suggestions you pros here might have. Bonus points if they contain nearly idiot proof instructions.

 

It can be done but you will need a generator to run most ac units.

 

do you have a plug in ...in the bed... if so jst by a small plug in and mount it..... or even a box fan ....anyhow just an idea that would be idiot proof instructions.... best of luck with this

 

Yeah, the bed does have the standard plug in it, no idea if it's got enough juice to actually run even a little portable ac unit though. I hear conflicting things on that front and am hesitant to go out and buy one if it's not going to work... maybe I need to start just plugging random things in to see what things run and what things don't.

I've been looking for AC units, but all I'm finding are permanent and expensive mount-ons for RVs.

Generator would be fine for when parked, but I don't think that strapping a running generator on the side of the trailer while driving down the highway would be a good plan.

 

x2, I doubt you'll find a portable AC unit less than 10a 120v 1200w, would be best to run a generator at that point.

 

What you should be looking for is a portable "spot-cooler". That should narrow your search down substantially.

 

How about opening the rear slider window and using a small fan?

 

I was thinking of that. I'd have to figure out how I wanted to seal the cab and the shell without any permanent damage since there's a ton of wind blowing between them on the HWY when I tried that without. Lots of ways to power a simple fan, fortunately.

 

I would try putting a bike inner tube or something similar between the cab and shell windows to seal it. Then open the shell windows slightly to create some air flow and just run the cab AC. That's the simplest way, then get complicated later if you need to.

It's important that you have actual airflow through the shell, otherwise carbon monoxide could be an issue since the bed isn't perfectly sealed.

There is a vent in the rear wall of the cab that allows air to leave the cab as the AC is pulling fresh air. Otherwise, you would have no air movement. Try to get the shell to have the same kind of arrangement somehow.

 

TX is in a heat wave right now, a box fan will do nothing but move around heat. You would be better off opening the windows when cruising down the road. Thats what I did for my black labs. Also don't leave anything running long while you are stopped you might come back to a dead battery.

 

Sharpie try searching air coolers.

 

I have put a 29" bike inner tube between cab and shell. Easy to do if your whole shell front window hinges into shell like mine does. Run AC fan 1 speed higher than normal. Since tail gate doesn't seal you will get air flow through the shell. Put something down in bed (like carpet) so dogs don't slide all over the place.

 

What size are your dogs?

Both of mine are about 70 lbs and ride in the back seat, with plenty of room. Stuff goes in the bed.

You can build a platform so the back area is flat, then the dogs can ride in the cab. You'd still have to worry about what to do with them when you stop.

I've done the cross country trip 4 times with them with no issues.

 

Lol, No.

Access cab. There is no 'seat' just the fold downs with the retarded center hump. And my dogs do not ride calmly, not at all. Going somewhere is terribly exciting and they move and jump and try to play. There is no way I could drive safely with my 60lb hyperactive spaz girl and my 85lb doofy boy in the cab. They're 7 and 6 years old, I've tried for years to get them to be calm in the car... I've given up, it's just not gonna happen.

 

my girls usually sit up until we get moving, then they curl up and sleep until we stop again.

 

That sounds like heaven. Mine whine and moan and jump on eachother and try to crawl between the seats, onto my lap, out the window. Ugh! They're the REASON I have a camper shell. I spent more than $1K just so that I wouldn't have to deal with them in the cab anymore. The things some people do for their pets.

I even got the specialty wire mesh pet screens for the shell windows so they wouldn't be able to destroy the bug screening.

 

Thankfully mine are really good travelers... At least Annie is.... I'll find out next year how good Zoie is

 

http://www.swampy.net/hprices.html
Something like this maybe? Your'e 2nd gen, so you have the plug-in's in the bed?

 

If you want pics of what I did I could post them in a day or two

 

Propane powered ac unit like they use on campers???