Forum Discussion

Jframpey's avatar
Jframpey
Explorer
May 30, 2021

Do you run house AC while on the road

I am contemplating the purchase of a motor home... class A or Super C. I currently pull a 31’ trailer and am looking to consolidate the living and driving into 1 vehicle, adding conveniences like auto leveling, larger holding tanks, boondocking with solar or generator.

One question I haven’t heard answered so far is: When on the road does the engine powered AC provide sufficient cooling for the entire coach? (I’m looking at 30 - 35’ coaches) or do you run the generator and the coach AC’s?

For simplicity I live in the southeast US and will be traveling in the summer (90’s with lots of humidity).

A related question - while winter traveling is the engine heater sufficient to warm the coach, say down to 35?

Please enlighten me.

Joe
Class A
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    May 30, 2021
    Jframpey wrote:
    I currently pull a 31’ trailer and am looking to consolidate the living and driving into 1 vehicle, ..
    You may find that shopping, touring etc in a large MH meaning with CG setup etc etc is not desirable. Many tow a car ie second vehicle.

    It can work of course. Years ago we with 2 teens went from CA to GA up the coast to Newfoundland and back with a 21' class C.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    May 30, 2021
    We mostly just use the cab A/C. There have been a few times with higher temps that we've run a house A/C.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    May 30, 2021
    NO Motorhome, the Dash AC will cool anything other than the 2 front seat Cab area. To cool the rest of the Motorhome you will need to run the Genset and the roof AC's. Doug

    PS Same with HEAT in cold. You will have to run the Motorhome Furnace in very cold temps in transit.
  • phillyg's avatar
    phillyg
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2021
    When I had a C and an A, yes, ran the genset for house AC.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    May 30, 2021
    To answer your question directly I never run the house AC in my 32 ft class A, the chassis AC is enough. I also made a curtain set up when traveling in 90 plus temps but have only had to use it once and it works well. However I usually stay north or in the mountains in the summer and go south in the winter. If you stay in the south all summer with temps over 90 I think you will find you will either need a curtain or will have to use you house AC.

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