Upgrade to a bigger ac or add a second one?

I added a 2nd 15,000 BTU unit and changed out the electrical panel to a 50 amp service. Best thing I could have done. :)

15k BTU is the max available in an RV a/c. Add the 2nd a/c with built-in controls in the bedroom and run it on a separate 20 amp power cord. Best bet is to fish the power cord forward and into the front closet, then down to the pin box area where you can locate a twist connector for the shore power cord.

Cheapest and easiest way is to do like others already suggested. Just add a portable a/c with a separate wire going to the campground pedestal.

You could also help your a/c with a portable dehumidifier. I use the dehumidifier in the winter when propane and weather are adding too much moisture to my windows. But it would also help in the summer in high humidity areas.

I hard wired an external extension cord plug connected to a GFCI outlet in my trailer. I use it for a space heater, dehumidifier or any other high amp draw appliance. Then I save my 50 amps for other conveniences. I got the plug and outlet on Amazon.

The other issue would be the condensation drain. I set the dehumidifier in the in the shower and let it drain in there. Normally it will collect about a gallon of condensate overnight.

Adding a second a/c to a 30 amp wired trailer doesn't sound cost effective to me. My 2 cents.

We are thinking the same thing! I was going to just do the roof top control and I have seen on other sights where people were able to fish romex down to the bottom and run conduit to the back of the trailer with a twist lock connection to plug into the 110v outlet. looked clean and easy. Our Sundance has a vent over our bed where you could of gotten a second factory ac. but that would jump it to 50 amps and at the time we bought it very few parks in our area had 50 am service. most do have a 30 amp and 2-20amp outlets to use. Still not many true 50 amp services here now. Post some pics and let us know how it goes.

You will have to change to a 50 amp service in your panel, and 50 amp wire to hook up. Also if it is not prepped for a second ac, you will have to frame the roof to support it.

bgum wrote:
A second AC can be installed easily.

+1

A second A/C is definitely the way to go. You'll need more than 30 amps and usually the easiest way to go is run a separate 20 amp service to power it. I did this a few years ago and it has worked great.

We also like it very cold...in fact friends ask us all of the time if we hang meat inside of our RV.

We have a 38ft 5th wheel with two slides around 364 sq feet of space. We have only one 15K DuoTherm unit. If the outside temp gets above 100 then we begin to use portable fans to help direct the cold air to where we are sitting or working.

Here's our tips:
> All window blinds closed so sunlight doesn't come in
> We deploy the patio awning and we have window awnings over each of our windows we also deploy those.
> Ceiling fan on medium to high
> AC thermostat set to just above the lowest setting...for some reason this makes for colder air than the lowest setting.
> Entry door stays shut. Guests and kids are told to stay in or out, no coming and going.
> Portable fans to direct air into hot zones or where we are sitting.
> AC stays on 24/7 only adjust temp or cover up with a comforter if you get too cold. The AC will cool down everything in the RV (furniture, walls, countertops...etc.). This helps to keep it cooler inside vs. turning on the AC once you get too warm and then shutting it off when you go to bed.
> Limit activities...sit down and read a good book or watch a couple of movies.
> If we know it's going to get hot, turn on the AC a day ahead of time and then follow the above steps.

Consider a free-standing (roll around) unit and an extension cord to the pedistal 15 amp (house type) outlet.
You can have ice cold air blowing right on you and don't need to cut a hole in the roof and they run $300 or so lots cheaper than a RV unit.
My son has one in his pop up tent camper works great.
Good Luck, Mike

AC unit

A second AC can be installed easily.