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Mestic Roof Top Air Conditioner Rta-1700L Black - rooftop air conditioners for caravans and motorhomes providing quiet high-performance cooling for warm-weather travel - My Mestic

Climate Controlled

Compact Cooling Units for Touring Comfort

Whether you’re relaxing in your caravan, exploring in a campervan, or setting up at a campsite, Mestic air conditioning units keep your living space at the perfect temperature.

Our roof-top air conditioners are ideal for permanent, space-saving installation with powerful cooling from above, while our split air conditioning systems mount discreetly to the side of your vehicle for flexible installation and even quieter operation.

All Mestic models are built for efficiency, low vibration, and straightforward fitting — so you can travel comfortably, wherever the road takes you.

Split vs Rooftop Air Conditioning Units

Compare features to find the perfect AC solution for your vehicle

Feature Split System Rooftop Unit
Best for Caravans & motorhomes with internal wall space Motorhomes & large campervans with roof load capacity
Noise while sleeping Very quiet (compressor outside) Medium – noise is outside, but above the bed
Cooling power Efficient, great for long stays High output, ideal for larger/open spaces
Interior space used Requires an indoor unit Zero interior space taken
Installation More involved (indoor + outdoor) Simple swap if roof already has an AC, or roof light
Weight impact No roof weight Adds roof load — check vehicle limit
Cost Medium–High Medium–High
Energy use Very efficient Medium
Maintenance Easy indoor access Needs roof access
Ideal trip type Long stays / quiet nights / energy-saving Road trips / hotter climates / large vehicle layouts
Split System
Caravans & motorhomes with internal wall space
Rooftop Unit
Motorhomes & large campervans with roof load capacity
Split System
Very quiet (compressor outside)
Rooftop Unit
Medium – noise is outside, but above the bed
Split System
Efficient, great for long stays
Rooftop Unit
High output, ideal for larger/open spaces
Split System
Requires an indoor unit
Rooftop Unit
Zero interior space taken
Split System
More involved (indoor + outdoor)
Rooftop Unit
Simple swap if roof already has an AC, or roof light
Split System
No roof weight
Rooftop Unit
Adds roof load — check vehicle limit
Split System
Medium–High
Rooftop Unit
Medium–High
Split System
Very efficient
Rooftop Unit
Medium
Split System
Easy indoor access
Rooftop Unit
Needs roof access
Split System
Long stays / quiet nights / energy-saving
Rooftop Unit
Road trips / hotter climates / large vehicle layouts

Stay Cool Wherever You Camp

See the Mestic range in real touring setups. Mestic air conditioners are designed to deliver reliable cooling, low-noise performance and effortless comfort, exactly as shown in the images beside you.

From compact vans to full family caravans, these units keep your space cool and relaxing wherever you camp.

How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner for Your Caravan or Motorhome

Finding the right caravan air conditioner starts with understanding your vehicle and how you tour. For compact campervans and caravans under 5 metres, a split unit air conditioner like the Mestic SPA-3100 delivers effective cooling without requiring a roof cutout — ideal if you want to preserve roof space for solar panels or avoid permanent modifications.

For larger touring caravans and motorhomes over 7 metres, a rooftop air conditioner provides the most powerful cooling. The Mestic RTA-2600i offers cooling, heating and dehumidification in one unit, making it a genuine all-season solution for UK and European touring.

All Mestic air conditioners are designed for low amp operation, working within the 6A-16A limits of most campsite hook-ups across the UK and Europe. Night mode operation runs as low as 1.7 amps, so you can sleep in comfort without tripping the site breaker. Every unit includes a remote control and programmable timer for set-and-forget convenience.

Air Conditioner FAQs

Can I run a caravan air conditioner on a campsite hook-up?

Yes. All Mestic air conditioners are designed for low amp operation. The split unit models draw as little as 1.7 amps on night mode, and even the larger rooftop units work within standard 6A-16A European campsite hook-ups. Soft start technology prevents tripping the site breaker on startup.

What is the difference between a split unit and a rooftop air conditioner?

A split unit air conditioner has two parts — an indoor unit mounted inside and a compressor placed outside (usually in a locker or under a bed). No roof modification is needed, making it ideal for campervans. A rooftop unit is a single integrated system mounted on the roof via a standard 400x400mm vent opening, offering more powerful cooling for larger vehicles.

How many BTU do I need for my caravan?

As a general guide: vehicles under 5 metres need around 3,000-5,000 BTU (the Mestic SPA-3100 covers this). Vehicles 5-7 metres need 5,000-8,000 BTU (RTA-1700L or SPA-5100). Vehicles over 7 metres need 8,000+ BTU (RTA-2500L, RTA-2600 or RTA-3600i). Factors like insulation quality, window size and ambient temperature also affect cooling requirements.

Do Mestic air conditioners work as heaters too?

The rooftop models (RTA-2600, RTA-2600i, RTA-3600i) include a built-in heat pump function that provides supplementary heating in cooler weather. The split unit models (SPA-3100, SPA-5100) are cooling and dehumidification only. For dedicated heating, see our Mestic heater range.

How noisy are Mestic air conditioners at night?

All Mestic units feature a dedicated night mode that reduces fan speed and compressor noise. The split unit SPA-3100 runs at just 39 dB on night mode — quieter than a library. Rooftop models run between 42-48 dB on night mode, comparable to a quiet conversation.