Your caravan’s air conditioner is the single biggest power consumer in the whole setup, and probably the appliance you’ll have the strongest opinions about after a few weeks on the road. When it works, it’s the difference between sleeping comfortably and lying in a pool of sweat at 2am in Broome. When it doesn’t, or when you’re off-grid and can’t run it, you’ll wonder why you bothered.
Most new caravans come with a rooftop unit pre-installed. If yours didn’t, if you need a replacement, or if you’re upgrading to a more efficient model for off-grid capability, this guide breaks down what to look for, what’s worth the money, and what to avoid.
Types of Caravan Air Conditioners
Rooftop Units
The most common type in Australian caravans. They mount through a standard 360x360mm or 400x400mm roof opening, with the compressor and condenser sitting on top and the air distribution box (ADB) hanging inside. Cold air sinks, which makes rooftop placement thermodynamically efficient. The trade-off is added height (typically 250-300mm above the roof line) and weight (30-45kg on the roof, which affects your centre of gravity).
Rooftop units suit most full-height caravans and are the go-to choice for the Australian market. They keep the interior floor space free and provide even air distribution through the ADB.
Under-Bunk (Under-Bench) Units
These mount inside the caravan, typically under a bed or bench seat, with ducting to distribute air. They’re lighter than rooftop units, don’t add height, and leave the roof free for solar panels. The Truma Saphir is the best-known example. The downsides: they take up internal storage space, and because warm air rises, they have to work harder to cool a space from below.
Under-bunk units suit pop-top caravans (where a heavy rooftop unit isn’t practical), vans with extensive rooftop solar, or travellers who are tight on payload and want to keep roof weight down.
Reverse Cycle vs Cooling Only
Most modern caravan air conditioners are reverse cycle, meaning they can both cool and heat. The heating function is useful in mild cold (down to about 5°C ambient) but becomes inefficient below that, which is where a diesel heater takes over. If you’re buying new, reverse cycle is worth the small premium for the flexibility.
What to Look For When Buying
- Cooling capacity: Match to your van length. 2.2kW for vans under 6m, 2.6-3.0kW for 6-7m, 3.2kW+ for 7m and above.
- Power draw: Standard units pull 1,200-1,800W running. Inverter units start lower and ramp up, reducing peak draw and making them generator-friendly.
- Weight: Ranges from 23kg (Truma Saphir under-bunk) to 45kg+ (older rooftop models). Every kilo on the roof matters.
- Noise level: You’re sleeping under it. Look for units under 50dB on low settings. Inverter compressors are generally quieter than fixed-speed.
- Inverter technology: Inverter compressors adjust speed rather than cycling on and off. Quieter, more efficient, and compatible with smaller generators (2,000W instead of 2,400W+).
- Roof opening size: Check your existing opening. Most are 360x360mm or 400x400mm. Mismatches require adaptor plates.
- ADB profile: The internal air distribution box hangs below the ceiling. Low-profile ADBs (like the Truma Aventa Compact Plus) give more headroom in the hallway.
- Ambient operating range: Australian conditions demand units rated to at least 43°C, ideally 45-50°C. Check the spec sheet.
- Warranty: Dometic offers 3 years (industry-leading). Truma and others typically offer 2 years.
If you plan to run your air con off a generator, inverter technology is almost essential. Inverter units have a soft-start that eliminates the huge startup current spike that trips smaller generators. The Dometic FreshJet range will comfortably start from a quality 2,000W inverter generator.
Our Top Picks for 2026
Best Overall: Dometic FreshJet 7 Series Pro
Dometic replaced their popular Harrier and IBIS ranges with the FreshJet 7 Series, and the Pro model is the flagship. It’s a 3.2kW reverse-cycle rooftop unit with inverter technology, CleanAir purification, WiFi and Bluetooth control, and LED ambient lighting in the ADB. At around $3,000-$3,300, it’s not cheap, but Dometic’s 3-year warranty and national service network justify the investment for a big lap van. Suits caravans from about 5.5m to 7m.
Best for: Most Big Lappers wanting the best balance of performance, efficiency, and support.
Best for Smaller Vans: Dometic FreshJet 7 Series Lite
The compact sibling at 2.2kW. Same inverter technology and CleanAir system as the Pro, but sized for smaller caravans and campervans under 6m. Lighter weight, lower power draw, and a lower price point around $2,800-$3,050. Still carries Dometic’s 3-year warranty.
Best for: Pop-tops, smaller caravans, and vans where weight is a concern.
Best for Large Vans: Dometic FreshJet 7 Series Plus
The heavy hitter at 3.5kW, designed for larger caravans (7m+) and motorhomes. Inverter technology keeps it efficient despite the higher output. Around $3,100-$3,300. If you’ve got a big van, this is the one to beat.
Best for: Caravans over 7 metres, or vans with poor insulation that need extra cooling capacity.
Best Under-Bunk: Truma Saphir Comfort RC
At just 23.5kg, the Saphir is significantly lighter than any rooftop unit and doesn’t add height to your van. It’s a 2.4kW reverse-cycle unit that cools, heats, and dehumidifies. Installation goes under a bed or bench seat, with ducting to distribute air. The dehumidification function is genuinely useful in humid conditions. Around $2,000-$2,200.
Best for: Pop-top caravans, weight-sensitive builds, or vans with full roof solar setups.
Best Rooftop Budget Option: Truma Aventa Compact Plus
Truma’s entry-level rooftop at 2.2kW cooling. The standout feature is the slimline ADB, which gives noticeably more internal headroom than competitors. It’s lighter than the Dometic units and priced around $1,800-$2,200. No inverter technology, so you’ll need a 2,400W+ generator if running off-grid. Solid performer for predominantly on-grid travellers.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who primarily use powered sites.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Type | Capacity | Weight | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic FreshJet 7 Pro Best Pick | Rooftop | 3.2kW | ~36kg | $3,000-$3,300 | Most caravans (5.5-7m) |
| Dometic FreshJet 7 Lite | Rooftop | 2.2kW | ~32kg | $2,800-$3,050 | Smaller vans, campervans |
| Dometic FreshJet 7 Plus | Rooftop | 3.5kW | ~38kg | $3,100-$3,300 | Large vans (7m+) |
| Truma Saphir Comfort RC | Under-bunk | 2.4kW | ~23.5kg | $2,000-$2,200 | Pop-tops, weight-saving |
| Truma Aventa Compact Plus Budget Pick | Rooftop | 2.2kW | ~28kg | $1,800-$2,200 | Budget, powered site users |
Running Your Air Con: Power Realities
This is where most people’s expectations collide with physics. A caravan air conditioner draws 1,200-1,800W running. That’s a massive load compared to everything else in your van. Running one requires either 240V mains power (a powered campsite), a generator (2,000W minimum for inverter units, 2,400W+ for standard), or a very large battery and inverter system.
The maths on batteries: a Dometic FreshJet Pro at peak draw needs roughly 60-70 amps from a 12V battery via inverter. A 200Ah lithium battery would give you about 1-2 hours of air con before needing a recharge. To run air con all night off-grid, you’d need 400Ah+ of lithium and a substantial solar array to recover during the day. It’s doable, but expensive (easily $5,000-$10,000 for the battery and inverter system alone).
For most Big Lappers, the practical approach is: use the air con on powered sites and rely on fans, ventilation, and shade when free camping.
Never run a standard (non-inverter) air conditioner from a generator smaller than 2,400W. The startup current spike can be 3-4 times the running load and will trip or damage an undersized generator. Inverter air conditioners with soft-start technology can run from quality 2,000W generators.
The Verdict
If you’re buying new or replacing a unit, the Dometic FreshJet 7 Series Pro is the pick for most caravans. The inverter technology, 3-year warranty, WiFi control, and national service network make it the safest choice for a long trip. If you’re on a tighter budget and mostly staying at powered sites, the Truma Aventa Compact Plus does the job well for $1,000 less. For pop-tops or weight-sensitive builds, the Truma Saphir Comfort is in a class of its own.
Don’t overlook passive cooling strategies either. The best air conditioner in the world still drains your power and your budget. Learning to park in shade, cross-ventilate, and use fans effectively means you’ll rely on the air con less and enjoy the trip more.
- Match cooling capacity to van size: 2.2kW for under 6m, 3.0kW for 6-7m, 3.5kW for 7m+
- Inverter technology is worth the premium for quieter operation and generator compatibility
- Running air con off-grid requires serious battery investment ($5,000-$10,000+)
- Dometic FreshJet 7 Pro is the best all-round choice; Truma Saphir for under-bunk
- Combine your air con with fans, shade, and ventilation to reduce power dependence
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