Alternatives to A/C, Replace it?

MadCityJack

Last November we purchased a 2017 320 TAB U MAX (no toilet/shower) with the factory installed Air Conditioner (A/C) removed.  The previous owner removed it because of leaking and felt that the roof fan met their needs for cooling.  They put a lockable vent cover on the outside and a matching wood cabinet door on the inside to make an aesthetically pleasing space where they stored a Thetford porta potty and other incidentals.  

We plan to mostly use camping sites without shore power in the generally cooler but sometimes quite humid upper Midwest (WI, MI).  I don't feel a strong need for an A/C, but given my "options-are-nice" mentality it seems reasonable to give it consideration.  The price to get a replacement A/C from the NuCamp factory is approximately $1200, per Austin the service manager, but I learned it can be done less expensively.  I do hope to travel through the South West at some point, but probably in winter months to avoid high temperatures.

BTW: So, far we have only driveway camped since November and, of course, temps have been cool to cold.  We are former tent campers and never thought of any cooling, but the TAB is likely to be more much hotter, at least when setting up after towing.  

I know that such preferences are personal and may not apply to us, but I am curious about what others think about the real utility of an A/C in the upper MidWest and/or what alternatives to A/C have proved really workable?  Thank You in Advance for your input (I did post this question on a FB group page, but participation was limited).

Sharon_is_SAM

Here is a thread about replacing the expensive CoolCat with a regular window A/C.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/138701#Comment_138701

dragonsdofly

@MadCityJack, we have a 2017 and generally find that we don't need the a/c during summer in the midwest. Yes, humidity, but tolerable. The only time we have NEEDED a/c was 6 weeks in the southwest, 2016, in July and August. Tucson 121°F, Las Vegas 124°F, Phoenix 106°F, etc. Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois  et all, very doable. Good luck, enjoy the adventure and happy t@bbing!

Sharon_is_SAM

@MadCityJack - check out the portable A/C in this thread:  https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/12649/remodel-2020#latest

MadCityJack

@Sharon_is_Sam-  Thank you.   I asked the manufacturers of this portable A/C unit for more clarification:

Your question: Which accessory, or model, is necessary to make the A/C unit work with 115 v in standard US homes? 

Answer: Purchase Mark 2 already includes: 24v Power Adapter Specification Input：100-240V ~ 50-60Hz So you don’t need to buy other accessories

It looks like it would work with normal US 110-120 AC.  However, I will wait for more field “testing” from consumers before consider