Do you run house AC while on the road

dougrainer wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
I guess neither of my motorhomes listened to the experts, both can stay more than cool enough with just the dash A/C.

Mind you, I do understand their limitations and help them a little. Don’t try to block of the cab, that makes it worse, open the rearmost roof vent.

The weak part of dash A/C is not the cooling capacity, a Ford dash unit has more than double the cooling capacity of a rooftop unit, it’s the fan, it’s horrendously undersized.

By opening the rearmost roof vent you create a vacuum at the back of the coach which pulls the cold air to the rear for you.

If your statement about Ford is true, then why does Ford and Chevy option a REAR AC cooling system and control on Suburbans and Expeditions family SUV/Truck?????? I don't listen to experts, I AM one. I base my comments on 42 years as both a RV service Tech and USING both Class A and C's in 90 plus Texas heat for those 42 years. Doug

Because, as I said, the fan is the weak link, it's not a difficult concept to grasp. In order to get cool air to the back they put in a second unit so you don't have to freeze in the front to be comfy in the back.

Frankly I'm kind of surprised an expert wouldn't realize that Suburbans, Ecursions and other units with rear A/C DON'T have TWIN A/C compressors.

Why? Because the single one will provide far more cooling than required.

I DOo listen to experts, they know what they're talking about.

Interesting how every time this topic comes up how much of a debate it becomes.

The answer is simple; if you get hot, you have an onboard generator that can run the rooftop airs. That's one of the reasons you have it. If you can get by with the dash air, do that. Do what makes you comfortable. You have options. After all, it's a rolling apartment with all the same amenities.

JaxDad wrote:
I guess neither of my motorhomes listened to the experts, both can stay more than cool enough with just the dash A/C.

Mind you, I do understand their limitations and help them a little. Don’t try to block of the cab, that makes it worse, open the rearmost roof vent.

The weak part of dash A/C is not the cooling capacity, a Ford dash unit has more than double the cooling capacity of a rooftop unit, it’s the fan, it’s horrendously undersized.

By opening the rearmost roof vent you create a vacuum at the back of the coach which pulls the cold air to the rear for you.

Yes factory AC will be better than the dash AC put in class A’s. But a class C is smaller and has a small driving area so yes it will feel cooler. Now.......
A class A down south in 90+ degree weather will laugh at any dash AC! And if you have kids or a wife/husband in the back you will need to run the generator and house AC.

JaxDad wrote:
I guess neither of my motorhomes listened to the experts, both can stay more than cool enough with just the dash A/C.

Mind you, I do understand their limitations and help them a little. Don’t try to block of the cab, that makes it worse, open the rearmost roof vent.

The weak part of dash A/C is not the cooling capacity, a Ford dash unit has more than double the cooling capacity of a rooftop unit, it’s the fan, it’s horrendously undersized.

By opening the rearmost roof vent you create a vacuum at the back of the coach which pulls the cold air to the rear for you.

If your statement about Ford is true, then why does Ford and Chevy option a REAR AC cooling system and control on Suburbans and Expeditions family SUV/Truck?????? I don't listen to experts, I AM one. I base my comments on 42 years as both a RV service Tech and USING both Class A and C's in 90 plus Texas heat for those 42 years. Doug

I guess neither of my motorhomes listened to the experts, both can stay more than cool enough with just the dash A/C.

Mind you, I do understand their limitations and help them a little. Don’t try to block of the cab, that makes it worse, open the rearmost roof vent.

The weak part of dash A/C is not the cooling capacity, a Ford dash unit has more than double the cooling capacity of a rooftop unit, it’s the fan, it’s horrendously undersized.

By opening the rearmost roof vent you create a vacuum at the back of the coach which pulls the cold air to the rear for you.

Lwiddis wrote:
Rent an A before you buy. That “fishbowl” driving compartment may freak you out. Advantage of a C or a truck camper is the shady overhang.

Interesting point and while I guess that can be true, the VIEW out that "fishbowl" is often well worth any slight added inconvenience all that glass might present. It's an issue which didn't bother any of us. The kids LOVE sitting up front when we travel. LOL...dang...it just hit me...next time we go out...THEY'RE going to be able to DRIVE!!! Yikes!!! But I digress....

To be honest, I think what DW had the hardest time adapting to, was how much closer the passenger side of the rig is to the edge of the road when traveling down some winding country back roads. My wife commented "I think we're closer to the mailboxes than the mailman gets!" LOL

Granted, a Class C can be just as wide, but the cab part is a bit narrower, so there is a bit of an "extra cushion" of space between the passenger's position in the cab. This is probably an additional comfort to the passenger. And you're usually sitting much lower & closer to the road in a Class C, as well, so it's more "car-like".

~Rick

Our first class C on a 1985 chevy chassis had an aftermarket ac and it was worthless. Our next class C on a 1998 chevy chassis had a factory air and it could freeze you out. Our current class A we have to run the generator and roof ac to keep comfortable in hot weather.

I live in central NC and most of my travel is PA South to FL and mostly in the SE. I have a Monaco DP and it all depends on the outside temp. Sometimes I run nothing but usually use dash heat and a/c until it is not enough and then turn on the generator for house heat and /or A/C. Like to be comfortable.

Rent an A before you buy. That “fishbowl” driving compartment may freak you out. Advantage of a C or a truck camper is the shady overhang.

Does the Engine powered A/C provide enough cooling (Dash Air)
Depeds.. January in Michigan (Joking slightly) Likely yes
August in Arizona.. no way

The dash air is designed to cool the cab of a truck, it's not designed to cool a house.. They used to make an insulated curtain that you could install just behind the driver's seat to reduce the area the dash air had to cool.. I do not know if they still do.

Others suggest (Falsely) that using "House" air off the generator burns less fuel.. It does not.

My suggestion.. if the day is cool enough for Dash Air to do it .. Great
If the day gets hotter.. Start the generator and fire up the house air