Texas is hot. So I'm building an air conditioned box

[Adventure Time]

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Hello from San Antonio. Went camping a couple of times. Here's a pic of our first camp site. That is a sad looking camp site. Didn't have anything we needed. My wife loved it. I prefer air conditioning. My wife found a little offroad trailer from Australia and asked if I could build one like it. Immediately offended(cause of course I can build anything! ), I replied I'll build one better than that! So I am a month into this build. Probably should have been done by now. But I decided to make my own doors and really don't have a clue and am a little unsure of the best way to do hatch trim/drainage. I noticed most TDs on google images are 4' tall. Floor to ceiling mine is 4'7", so I can sit in a chair. It's on a 4'6" X 8' trailer. I bolted the plywood to the sides of the trailer to add strength. The bed is 6'. That's ok cause I'm 5'3". Wife is 5'5". Dogs are like a foot tall. I built the frame from scratch so I could make it light. I am pulling it with a 2012 Scion XB. I really didn't have much of a plan when I started the build, I figured I would change things along the way anyway since I have never built one of these before.
Two requested design criteria include a sink that can be accessed from the cabin, and a cooler that can be accessed from the cabin(for midnight snacking). I haven't quite figured these out yet. Would love some ideas for them.

[mikerueve]

Have fun with the build. Cute pups. What's the breed?

[Woodbutcher]

Good luck with your build. It's a big part of the fun. Keep up with the pictures cause we like to follow along.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Have fun! I put an air conditioner in mine, in 5 years only used it once, at Lake Meade, in July. It was a lifesaver! You can usually get great deals on A/C units now, as summer is almost over! Pay attention to venting and drainage, and get the smallest unit you can! We ran ours on the lowest possible setting, and left the vent open to exhaust the frigid air. And it was over 105 outside when we went to bed!

[Shadow Catcher]

I wrote up the experience I went through in air conditioning our tear viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4456 and it can be done easily. and works very well, and if you don't need it leave it home

[coyote]

We travel in Ok. & Texas a lot and it's a necessity! If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy! It was never said, but I'm pretty sure I'd be campin' alone lots without one. (Plus, I think, I'm turning into a panty waste, I really like it and we didn't get it at home until I was 16, so I know I CAN do without it, but...well I've passed 16 3 times now)

[Adventure Time]

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Have fun with the build. Cute pups. What's the breed?

Thanks. They are miniature schnauzers. I've seen them in salt and pepper, black, chocolate and white. These dogs are like our kids to us. When I do anything I always keep them in mind. I saw that one guy added a little extra wing that hooked to the side of the TD so everyone including the dog could sleep comfortably.

The sad camp site was at Inks Lake. The wind just disappeared at night, making us choose between mosquitoes or a zipped up little pup tent that was crazy hot. This past weekend we went to Port Aransas, camped on the beach the wind there was 20+ knots steady right off the ocean. The tent filled with sand from the steady sand blasting. I much prefer that to the stillness of Inks lake.

Shadow catcher- That is a clever set up with the ac. I am sure I am going to use mine most of the year so I want to build it in. I like how you have the option to 'leave it at home'. I think I will build a box with a handle like yous so I can easily take it out of the galley where it will be mounted. I bought the smallest unit I could find. 5000btu and it's an 11.2 seer so it uses the least power out of all the ones i looked at. I have possible plans to mount a honda 2000 genny in a box on the tongue. I am thinking of venting it downward, to keep the clean lines on the side and try to put the heat and noise underneath. Just worried about water getting in while driving.
I'll post some questions in the appropriate section to get some ideas.
Thanks for the greetings everyone.

[John W]

Welcome Adventure Time. We live in the best possible place for year round glamping. Inks Lake is on my list before the weather gets too cold. Next week is Mustang Island SP. Two weeks ago, South Llano SP. So many places ya'll can enjoy so very close to home. I would never have considered camping during the winter in my tent, but now that I have an insulated trailer I think it will be a new adventure. As you can see from the picture, my tow vehicle is a Nissan Cube. Bogs down a little on the hills, but I just shift into 5th gear and chug on.

Your build looks promising and very professional. This forum has so much info available. Welcome and enjoy.