Cruise-n-Comfort

Cruise N Comfort HD R/T Rooftop Air Conditioner

$4,395.00

Product variants

Rooftop AC power without the rooftop bulk. The Cruise-n-Comfort HD R/T is an all-aluminum, all-weather 12V/24V air conditioner that drops into a standard 14" × 14" Fantastic Fan opening — no custom fabrication, no LTL freight, no BS. Up to 11,000 BTU of cooling from a unit that ships FedEx Ground and runs on your van's DC system.

7K – 11K BTU depending on voltage and output tier
12V or 24V DC — pick what matches your battery bank
All-aluminum construction — black powder-coated exterior, interior plate included
Pre-charged R513a (R134a compatible) — ready to install, no HVAC tech required
Ships FedEx Ground — 63–67 lbs, no freight broker needed
Standard 14" × 14" opening — Fantastic Fan cutout, direct fit
DIY-friendly install — Sandy Vans installation available by request (depends on your current build)

Fits: Any van with a standard 14" × 14" roof vent opening (Sprinter 144" / 170" / 170" EXT, Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and others)

Not compatible: Vehicles without an existing roof vent opening or requiring non-standard cutout dimensions

Choose your variant:

12V · 7K BTU — HD R/T-s small unit, 10–15 VDC, 32–38A draw. Best for builds with a standard 12V lithium setup (200–300Ah).
24V · 8K BTU — HD R/T-s small unit, 20–31 VDC, 16–19A draw. Significantly lower amp draw — ideal if you're already running a 24V bank.
12V · 10K BTU — HD R/T large unit, 10–15 VDC, 38–49A draw. Maximum cooling on 12V — requires a robust battery bank (300Ah+).
24V · 11K BTU — HD R/T large unit, 20–31 VDC, 20–30A draw. Best BTU-per-amp of any variant. The choice if you have a 24V system.

DT-05 WiFi Thermostat + Mounting Plate (optional): Cruise-n-Comfort's DT-05 adds WiFi control, scheduling, and a clean wall-mount display. We offer it with a mounting plate in black or white powder coat to match your interior. If you want this added to your order, note it in the order comments or contact us — it ships together with the unit.

Questions about the install? Reach out to us at Sandy Vans. After installation, Cruise-n-Comfort handles all ongoing product support.

Pickup available at Sandy Vans HQ

Usually ready in 2-4 days

See it on your van. Add the Cruise N Comfort HD R/T Rooftop Air Conditioner to your build in our 3D Van Builder and preview it on a real Sprinter before you buy.

Product Details

The Rooftop Spot Is Yours

Most van AC solutions make you choose: a rooftop unit that works great but takes up the prime real estate on your roof, or a portable unit that drains your battery and barely touches the heat. The Cruise-n-Comfort HD R/T is neither. It's a proper 12V or 24V air conditioner that mounts into your existing 14" × 14" roof vent opening — same footprint as a Fantastic Fan, with up to 11,000 BTU of actual cooling power.

The exterior sits low and aluminum-clad. From the outside it reads as part of the van. Inside, you get serious cold air without giving up a square inch of cargo space or wall real estate. No noisy compressor box eating into your living area. No condensate tray to empty. Just cold air from a unit that was engineered to run on your van's DC system.

Built Different

All-aluminum construction means no rust, no corrosion from road spray, and a unit that holds up through years of use. Cruise-n-Comfort builds these in the US and ships them pre-charged with R513a refrigerant — you're not scheduling an HVAC tech, you're installing hardware. The DC compressor runs at 12V or 24V depending on your battery bank, so the HD R/T fits into virtually any modern van build.

The 24V variants are where things get interesting for larger builds. The 24V 11K BTU unit pulls 20–30A versus 38–49A for the 12V 10K unit — you get more cooling from less amp draw, which extends your time off-grid between solar top-ups.

How We Work With This Product

Sandy Vans facilitates the order with Cruise-n-Comfort and handles install questions before and during your build. After the unit is installed, Cruise-n-Comfort takes over for all product support and warranty service. We're here for the build; they're here for the product. It's a clean handoff.

We offer Sandy Vans installation by request — it depends on your current build stage and our schedule. Contact us to check availability. Most customers who order solo-install this themselves with our install guidance.

Fitment & Compatibility

Fits: Any van with a standard 14" × 14" roof vent opening — including Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (NCV3 2007–2018 and VS30 2019+), Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and other platforms

Drivetrains: 2WD & 4WD

Not compatible with: Vehicles without a standard 14" × 14" roof vent opening; vans without adequate DC electrical capacity for the selected variant

Also fits these Sprinter-platform RV & upfitter builds:

Winnebago Revel
Storyteller Overland (MODE, Beast Mode)
Outside Van
Airstream Interstate & Atlas
Grech RV (Strada, Turismo, Terreno)
Pleasure-Way Plateau
Leisure Travel Vans (Unity, Wonder)
Coachmen Galleria
Midwest Automotive Designs
Jayco Terrain
Tiffin Wayfarer
Thor Tranquility

Fitment depends on your exact model, year, suspension lift, and body kit. Confirm with our team before ordering.

Not sure your build qualifies? Reach out to our team.

Specifications

Cooling Capacity	7K BTU (12V small) · 8K BTU (24V small) · 10K BTU (12V large) · 11K BTU (24V large)
Voltage Options	12V DC (10–15V) or 24V DC (20–31V)
Current Draw (12V)	32–38A (7K BTU) · 38–49A (10K BTU)
Current Draw (24V)	16–19A (8K BTU) · 20–30A (11K BTU)
Refrigerant	Pre-charged R513a (R134a compatible) — no HVAC tech required
Construction	Black powder-coated aluminum — exterior unit and interior plate
Shipping	FedEx Ground — no LTL freight required
Unit Weight (small)	63 lbs (HD R/T-s · 7K / 8K BTU)
Unit Weight (large)	67 lbs (HD R/T · 10K / 11K BTU)
Roof Opening	Standard 14" × 14" (Fantastic Fan / standard vent cutout)
Lead Time	4–5 weeks (Cruise-n-Comfort system)
Warranty	1 Year (Cruise-n-Comfort product warranty)

What's in the Box

Cruise-n-Comfort HD R/T rooftop AC unit (exterior)
Interior mounting plate (black powder-coated aluminum)
Mounting hardware and gasket set
Pre-charged R513a refrigerant (R134a compatible) — no top-off required
DC power lead harness
Condensate drain line
Manual controls (base configuration)
Cruise-n-Comfort warranty card and documentation

Install Time8–12 hours

DIY FriendlyYes — with basic electrical experience. Sandy Vans installation available by request (contact us for availability).

Drilling RequiredYes — for DC wire and drain line penetrations. Roof cutout required if no existing 14" × 14" opening.

Installation Overview

The HD R/T drops into a standard 14" × 14" roof vent opening. If you already have a Fantastic Fan or equivalent vent, you're working with the right cutout. The main tasks are: remove your existing vent, mount the HD R/T exterior unit, run the condensate drain line, route the DC power leads to your battery bank, and mount the interior plate and controls.

Electrical

Run appropriately sized DC wire from your battery bank to the unit. The 12V small unit pulls 32–38A; the 12V large pulls 38–49A at peak. Use at minimum 8 AWG for runs under 10 feet; go to 6 AWG for longer runs or the 10K BTU variant. Fuse at the battery with an inline ANL fuse matched to your wire gauge. The 24V variants draw roughly half the amps — wire sizing accordingly.

Drain Line

The unit produces condensate that exits through a drain line. Route the line to a low-friction exit point — most installs run it through the floor or out the side panel. Keep bends gradual. Avoid routing it in a way that traps water in the line.

DT-05 Thermostat

If you ordered the DT-05 WiFi thermostat, mount the display plate at eye level in a convenient interior wall location. The DT-05 runs on low-voltage signal wire — not the main power leads. Follow the Cruise-n-Comfort wiring diagram for the thermostat connections.

Install Time

Plan for 8–12 hours for a first install with no complications. Experienced van builders often finish in 6–8 hours. Having a helper for the roof work makes the exterior unit placement much easier and safer.

Support

Reach out to Sandy Vans for any questions before or during your install. After installation, Cruise-n-Comfort handles all ongoing technical support and warranty service.

Tools You'll Need

Drill with step bit (for wire and drain line penetrations)
Jigsaw or oscillating tool (if cutting new vent opening)
Wire stripper and crimping tool
Multimeter
Torque wrench
Sealant / butyl tape for roof flashing
Helper for exterior unit placement

See all Sandy Vans install videos & manuals →

How to Choose Your Van AC

Choosing the right air conditioner for a van build comes down to four decisions: rooftop vs. undermount, voltage, output size, and who supports you after install. Here's how to think through each one.

1. Rooftop or Undermount?

The main alternative to a rooftop unit like the HD R/T is an undermount system like the Cruise-n-Comfort VES Icebox, which hides the condenser underneath the van. The right choice depends on your build:

Rooftop (HD R/T): simpler install, proven form factor, keeps your underbody clean. Trades some stealth for reliability and install ease.
Undermount (VES Icebox): keeps your roof clear for solar, racks, or a lower profile. More complex routing. Better if roof real estate is tight.
If you have an existing Fantastic Fan opening and want the most straightforward path to van AC, the HD R/T is the faster build.

2. 12V or 24V?

This should match your battery bank — don't try to convert. If your batteries are 12V, pick a 12V variant. If you've built a 24V system (common on larger installs), pick 24V. The 24V variants produce more BTU per amp, which is the real efficiency win on a big bank.

3. Small (7K/8K BTU) or Large (10K/11K BTU)?

The small HD R/T-s handles the vast majority of real-world van use cases. The large unit is for:

Desert climates (Southwest, Southeast US in summer)
Full-timing with the van stationary mid-day
High glass-to-wall ratio builds (lots of windows)
Anyone who wants headroom for the worst-case scenario

If you're not sure, most builders go small and are happy. The step up to large adds amp draw and weight; make sure your electrical system can handle it.

4. Do I Need the DT-05 Thermostat?

The base unit comes with manual controls. The DT-05 adds WiFi, scheduling, and a wall-mount display — worth it if you want to pre-cool the van before you get in, or if you want a cleaner interior aesthetic. It's not required for the unit to function; it's a quality-of-life upgrade.

How the HD R/T Compares

There are a few other DC van AC options in the market. The Dometic RTX 2000 is widely known but comes in at roughly $3,800–$4,200 and tops out around 7,100 BTU on 12V. The HD R/T in 12V 7K BTU is priced comparably and ships without LTL freight requirements — it arrives FedEx Ground. The larger HD R/T variants (10K/11K BTU) have no direct competitor at the same price point in the US market.

Cruise-n-Comfort builds in the US, which matters for lead time, warranty service, and parts availability if something ever needs attention down the road.

Pre-Order Checklist

Confirm your roof has a 14" × 14" opening or plan to cut one
Know your battery bank voltage (12V or 24V)
Verify your battery capacity can handle the amp draw (see specs tab)
Decide if you want the DT-05 thermostat — note in order comments
Plan your DC wire run and fuse location before the unit arrives
Have a helper available for the roof work

How do I choose between 12V and 24V?

{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "Match the unit to your battery bank voltage. If your van runs a 12V lithium system, choose 12V. If you have a 24V system, 24V gives you meaningfully lower amp draw \u2014 the 24V 11K BTU unit pulls 20\u201330A versus 38\u201349A for the 12V 10K BTU unit. More BTU, less amp draw is the 24V advantage."}]}, {"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "If you're not sure what voltage your system runs, check your battery BMS or inverter specs. Most builds under 300Ah are 12V; larger setups often go 24V for efficiency."}]}]}

How do I choose between the small (7K/8K BTU) and large (10K/11K BTU) unit?

{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "The small HD R/T-s handles most van builds well \u2014 a standard high-roof Sprinter in moderate to warm climates. The large HD R/T is for desert heat, extended stationary use (full-timing), or vans with a lot of glass exposure."}]}, {"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "A practical rule: if you're parked in the shade in California, the small unit is usually plenty. If you're in Phoenix in August with the van pointed at the sun, go large."}]}]}

Does this fit my existing roof vent opening?

{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "Yes, if you have a standard 14\" \u00d7 14\" opening \u2014 the same cutout used by Fantastic Fan and most aftermarket roof vents. The HD R/T mounts directly into that opening. If your van has no existing vent opening, you'll need to cut one."}]}, {"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "Not sure what you have? Measure the opening (not the cover). If it's 14\" \u00d7 14\", you're set. If the dimensions are different, reach out before ordering."}]}]}

What is the DT-05 thermostat and do I need it?

{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "The DT-05 is Cruise-n-Comfort's WiFi-enabled thermostat with a wall-mount display. It adds remote control via app, scheduling, and a cleaner interior look versus the base manual control."}]}, {"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "It's optional \u2014 the HD R/T includes basic manual controls at the unit. We offer the DT-05 with a mounting plate in black or white powder coat to match your interior. If you want it added to your order, note it in the order comments or contact us directly and we'll include it."}]}]}

Can I install this myself?

{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "Yes. The HD R/T is designed for DIY installation. You'll need basic electrical experience to run the DC power leads and a comfort level working on your roof. No HVAC technician is required \u2014 the unit ships pre-charged with R513a refrigerant."}]}, {"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "Sandy Vans installation is available by request depending on your current build stage and our schedule \u2014 contact us to check availability. After installation, Cruise-n-Comfort handles all ongoing product support."}]}]}

What's the lead time?

{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "4\u20135 weeks from your order date. The HD R/T is built to order by Cruise-n-Comfort and ships FedEx Ground (no freight broker needed). We'll confirm your order with Cruise-n-Comfort and keep you updated on timing."}]}]}

Who handles warranty and support after install?

{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "Cruise-n-Comfort covers the product with a 1-year warranty and handles all technical support after installation. Sandy Vans can help with install questions before and during the process \u2014 reach out to us for anything install-related."}]}]}

Will this work in a Ford Transit or Ram ProMaster?

{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "paragraph", "children": [{"type": "text", "value": "Yes \u2014 the HD R/T fits any van with a standard 14\" \u00d7 14\" roof vent opening, regardless of chassis. Transit, ProMaster, Sprinter \u2014 if the opening is the right size, it works. The unit specs and lead time are the same across platforms."}]}]}

Still have a question? Email the team and you'll get a real answer.