Evaporative or AC cooler as aftermaket for 17B

[PleinAirCedar]

Hi Friends,

Does anyone have any input on which type of cooling is best - Evaporative (pad and fan) or AC (refridgeration), for the Escape 17B. We may be spending time in AZ and NM where its hot and dry. We live in CO where its pleasant in the summers plus we usually go north in summer and also high in altitude. That is why we didn't get an AC when we had our Escape built.

I'm still ok without it but my husband is definitely not. So any suggestions as what I can do to get a unit to cool us would be helpful. Our tower fan isn't okay on the warm evenings for him.
Thanks so much!

[Greg A]

Evaporative cooling doesn’t work well, if at all, here in AZ from end of June through Sept in the Monsoon season. (humidity is too high) I personally wouldn’t choose it as a cooling system for a trailer.

In the winter months, no cooling is needed here, and in the shoulder seasons, the maxx fan is usually sufficient. We camp mostly in the higher altitudes (7000ft +) in the state and no AC needed, as camping in Phoenix in 100+ heat is unappealing even with the AC.

Your Escape should be setup to easily add the AC factory unit which is what I’d do. Unless ur handy and can add Rubicon’s Mini split system.

[cpaharley2008]

The UHaul Rental trailers had evap units on those in the dry heat states. You can easily make one with a cooler filled with ice and a 12v fan motor. It will make you feel cooler, we had one in an early trailer.

[Greg A]

Probably why Uhaul only had them produced for 2 years.

[gbaglo]

You can make your own personal evaporative cooler by soaking your ball cap in water and putting it on your head. A wet hanky worn around the neck also works.