A ductless portable air conditioner cools a tent, caravan or motorhome without an outdoor condenser - one exhaust duct out of a window or vent sleeve, running from a campsite hook-up or a small generator.
Campgrounds, caravan parks and RV sites rarely allow an outdoor condenser, and a split system needs refrigerant pipework that cannot be installed on a temporary pitch. A portable unit needs no outdoor equipment: the compressor sits inside the casing and only the exhaust duct has to leave the space.
Capacity has to cover the heat coming through the walls and roof plus the heat the occupants generate. Canvas and thin fibreglass hold far less heat out than an insulated caravan, so two similar-sized spaces can need very different units.
| Space | Typical capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-4 person tent | 1,000 - 2,000 BTU | Night-time use, vented through a window flap or tent sleeve |
| Large tent / glamping unit | 2,000 - 4,000 BTU | Higher load when the sun hits the canvas directly |
| Caravan or small camper | 4,000 - 7,000 BTU | Insulated walls; allow more if the roof is unshaded |
| Large caravan / motorhome | 7,000 - 12,000 BTU | Check the site hook-up amperage before choosing |
As a rule of thumb, add capacity for direct sun, for more than two occupants, and for a space used as a daytime living area rather than for sleep only.
The exhaust duct carries the heat out of the space, so the shorter and straighter the run, the better the performance. A window kit is normally included; for tents and caravans a sleeve or vent panel keeps the duct in place.
Most camping-range units are self-evaporating, so water from the evaporator is reused to cool the condenser. Larger units collect condensate in a tank or can run on a continuous drain hose - useful for a longer stay.
Night-time noise matters more in a tent or a caravan than in a room, so quiet-mode fans and low-vibration mounts are the two specification points buyers ask about most in this segment.
Send us the capacity, market and volume you have in mind and we will reply with models, MOQ and lead time.
Yes, provided the exhaust duct is routed outside through a window flap or a tent vent sleeve. Without venting, the heat the unit removes is pushed straight back into the tent. A 1,000-2,000 BTU unit is enough for a two to four person tent at night.
Compact DC models can run from a 12 V or 24 V battery bank through a suitable inverter. AC units generally need a campsite hook-up or a small generator, because start-up current is several times the running current.
A well-insulated caravan usually needs 4,000-7,000 BTU and a larger motorhome 7,000-12,000 BTU. Add capacity for an unshaded roof and for daytime use.
No. The unit stays inside the space and only the exhaust duct goes outside. Keep the duct run as short as is practical.
Yes. Both the compact camping units and the caravan-range models are available for private label, with your carton, rating label and manual.
