Caravan & Motorhome Air Conditioning

Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Caravan or Motorhome

Whether you're touring the UK during a warm summer or travelling across Europe, a good air conditioning system can make your caravan or motorhome far more comfortable. Modern leisure vehicle air conditioners don't just cool the interior—they can also help reduce humidity, improve sleeping comfort and, on many models, provide efficient heating during cooler weather.

If you're considering adding air conditioning to your caravan or motorhome, one of the first decisions is choosing the type of system that's best suited to your vehicle.

Roof-Mounted vs Under-Bench Air Conditioning

There are two main types of air conditioning systems available for caravans and motorhomes.

Roof-Mounted Air Conditioning

Roof-mounted air conditioners are the most popular option for UK caravan and motorhome owners.

These systems are installed in the standard 400 mm × 400 mm roof vent opening, making installation relatively straightforward without major modifications to the vehicle.

Modern roof-mounted units combine powerful cooling with efficient airflow throughout the living space, while taking up virtually no storage room inside your caravan or motorhome.

Many premium models also include an integrated heat pump, allowing the same unit to provide energy-efficient heating during spring, autumn and cooler summer evenings.

Under-Bench Air Conditioning

Under-bench air conditioning systems are installed inside lockers or storage compartments beneath seating areas.

Instead of blowing air directly into the living space, cooled air is distributed through a network of ducts positioned around the vehicle.

These systems can be an excellent choice where maintaining the original roof profile is particularly important or when a roof installation isn't practical. However, they do require internal storage space and generally involve a more complex installation.

For many caravan and motorhome owners, a roof-mounted system offers the simplest installation and the best balance of cooling performance, airflow and convenience.

Why Choose a Roof-Mounted Air Conditioner?

For most leisure vehicles, roof-mounted air conditioning provides several advantages:

Fits directly into the existing 400 mm × 400 mm roof vent opening
No loss of valuable storage space
Even air distribution throughout the vehicle
Straightforward installation on many caravans and motorhomes
Modern, low-profile exterior design
Slim interior air distribution units minimise headroom loss
Available with integrated heating on many models

Today's roof-mounted systems are also considerably quieter and lighter than earlier generations, making them suitable for both new installations and retrofitting.

What Should You Look For?

Not all caravan and motorhome air conditioners are the same. When comparing models, it's worth considering several important factors.

Cooling Capacity

The most important consideration is choosing a unit with enough cooling power for the size of your vehicle.

A unit that's too small may struggle to cool the interior during hot weather, while a larger system provides faster cooling and more consistent temperatures in bigger motorhomes.

Vehicle Length

As a general guide:

Vehicle Length	Recommended Cooling Capacity
Up to 6 metres	Around 1,700 W
6–7 metres	Around 2,200 W
7 metres and above	Around 2,500 W

Choosing a system that's matched to your vehicle size will provide the best balance of performance and efficiency.

Low Profile Design

Modern roof-mounted air conditioners are designed to have minimal impact on the overall height of your caravan or motorhome.

Look for units with:

Low-profile external housings
Slim interior air distribution units
Lightweight construction

These features help preserve headroom inside while minimising additional vehicle height.

Quiet Operation

If you enjoy peaceful evenings on site, look for systems featuring variable-speed compressors and dedicated Night Modes.

These technologies automatically reduce fan speed and compressor output once the desired temperature has been reached, helping you enjoy a comfortable night's sleep with minimal noise.

Integrated Heat Pump

Many premium roof-mounted air conditioning systems now include a built-in heat pump.

As well as cooling during summer, these units can efficiently provide heating during cooler weather when outside temperatures are typically above 4°C.

This makes them ideal for extending your touring season without relying solely on your main heating system.

Low Starting Current

Some campsites provide limited electrical hook-up capacity.

Modern air conditioning systems with low starting current are designed to operate more reliably on lower-rated electrical supplies, reducing the likelihood of tripping campsite breakers.

Choosing the Right Size Air Conditioner

One of the best examples of selecting an air conditioner by vehicle size is the Truma Aventa range.

Vehicle Size	Typical Cooling Capacity	Example System
Up to 6 metres	1,700 W	Truma Aventa Compact
6–7 metres	2,200 W	Truma Aventa Compact Plus
7 metres and above	2,500 W	Truma Aventa Comfort

Rather than simply choosing the most powerful unit available, selecting the correct cooling capacity for your caravan or motorhome ensures efficient operation, quieter running and optimum comfort.

Professional Installation

Although many roof-mounted air conditioners fit directly into the existing roof vent aperture, professional installation is recommended to ensure the unit is correctly sealed, securely mounted and safely connected to your vehicle's electrical system.

An experienced installer can also advise which air conditioner is best suited to your caravan or motorhome based on its size, layout and the way you use your vehicle.

Need Help Choosing the Right Air Conditioner?

Whether you're upgrading an existing system or fitting air conditioning for the first time, we're here to help.

Our team can recommend the ideal roof-mounted air conditioner for your caravan, campervan or motorhome and provide professional installation to ensure years of reliable, comfortable touring.