I want to put a shell on my 03 3500. But the challenge I present is that I want to have air conditioning. I am wondering if anyone has tried this yet or not.

Initially I was thinking that I would put a small RV air conditioner on top of the shell. I am a bit concerned about running the wires to it, weight on top of the shell, clearance height, etc. Are there other options to air condition the bed of the truck?

Someone dropped the idea of a van type air conditioner where you have another compressor in the rear of the vehicle.... Any other ideas?

 

RV air conditioners run on AC. To use one, you will need a generator.

 

OK, so the option of adding another compressor for the bed may not be such a bad idea?

 

I'm still looking but I remeber a thread on a different site that someone took a window AC unit and adapted it with a power inverter or something to run but this was in the truck through the bed into the quad cab area not the topper.

 

It was on the DT site but they "clean" all posts on a regular basis and don't leave them for us to read.

 

A typical van type A/C system uses a single compressor, but 2 evaporator coils to give more zone cooling. This can be done, but the plumbing, freon capacity and controls will challenge most folks. The disadvantage is once you park, the A/C stops unless you run the truck.

How about a pop-up camper system with A/C?

 

Hi, I'm considering this or another similar. 12v DC, underbunk may work for me, there is also a larger roof mount around 70 lbs. But take a seat before asking the price.

http://www.nitesystem.com/



Cheers,
Steve J

 

Yeah, I have been looking at the "no idle" type systems, and thinking this would be the way to go.

Maybe I should explain a little more about the application of this. I have a lot of dogs, and haul them around the country, as well as around Vegas. Temperatures out here get pretty high. I want to be able to keep them air conditioned and comfortable during our trips. The camper shell should help keep them out of the "elements" and during the winter, will keep them comfortable, but the summer is miserable no matter what, unless you are in the cab, and my cab aint big enough for all my dogs...

 

I have one of those window boots that go between the window of the cab and the cap. I leave both windows open and the air from the front of the truck will make it to the back. We take our dog camping with us everywhere we go and when it is brutally hot out I put the boot in. when it isn't too hot I open the front cap window and the side windows and that gives enough moving air to keep her cool.