All,just picked up a 2016 Thor Outlaw 37RB. So far it's pretty slick. Been dig'n it on our first trip this weekend. We had a 2000 Class-A previously and sold it about a year ago. It was a really low-end, short DP, but we loved it. Anywho.. My question is regarding the AC.This unit has dual 13.5K BTU AC units. One just behind the drivers/passenger seats, then one just aft of the kitchen. There is a window-style AC unit in the garage part that works pretty well, but we've kept that all closed off for the most part. We're camping at Lake Mead in 105+ temps, no shade and it seems our AC units can't keep up. I'm not sure if they are not working 100% or if this is just simply too extreme for them. We're getting cold-ish air out of them, but set on full-blast (60 deg) we can't get the coach down below 80. It's just brutal in here. We have all the blackout shades pulled, the toyhauler is closed up, and all 3 ACs running on full blast. We're not cooking or doing much of anything inside. In fact we left for about 4 hours this morning, and came back and it was still 83-84 inside. My question is, should a coach like this be able to get cool (into the 70's) under these conditions? I don't recall our old RV struggling this hard, but I might be mis-remembering. What do yall think?

Did you turn on the AC before everything in the RV got hot? If not then that is part of the problem. Turn it on in the morning and try to keep it at the set point.It really depends on how the rig is insulated and leakage but in full sun at those temps, that may be all it can do.

ScottG wrote:Did you turn on the AC before everything in the RV got hot? If not then that is part of the problem. Turn it on in the morning and try to keep it at the set point.It really depends on how the rig is insulated and leakage but in full sun at those temps, that may be all it can do.Thanks, yeah, we fired it up on the generator before we left the house early Saturday morning. It's been running full blast since on the generator and now on the 50AMP CG power. It cools off enough at night where they will shut off, but as soon as the sun comes up they can't keep up anymore.It's possible, they are just too light for this climate. Fall is coming! :)Thanks,

I think that's all two 13.5 A/Cs can deliver.Pull in your slides for less roof space in the sun and less cubic feet to cool.Check the air in your wheels and drive to a higher elevation.Bill

Eighty, a twenty degree reduction from the outside, isn’t brutal in the desert this time of year and, yes, depends on your RVs insulation. Heck, it was 105 this March at Furnace Creek and there’s no lake to jump in.

Your a/c's seem to be working fine. Your a/c's only cool down about 20 degrees from the outside air temperature. Your RV has zip for insulation (it's only Styrofoam in the walls); you have about as much insulation as a Coleman cooler. I'll bet you don't have dual-pane windows, either. I've got 3 a/c's and the mid to low 80's is about all I get when it's triple digits outside.

Fellow desert dwellers AC question | Good Sam Community

48 Replies

rk911
Explorer
Sep 03, 2018
all of the above plus...

- get a sunscreen for the winshield and/or park so you're facing north or east. the windshield heats up and acts as a radiator. we bought, use and recommend the MagneShade but there are many different brands and styles. less expensive would be to use reflective foil on the inside of the windshield but the downside is perpetual night inside the MH.

- place a few floor fans to move air around. we use a 12volt Endless Breeze from Fantastic Fan with a 120v to 12v adapter for use when we have hookups.
Tinstar
Explorer
Sep 03, 2018
azdryheat wrote:
Your a/c's seem to be working fine. Your a/c's only cool down about 20 degrees from the outside air temperature. Your RV has zip for insulation (it's only Styrofoam in the walls); you have about as much insulation as a Coleman cooler. I'll bet you don't have dual-pane windows, either. I've got 3 a/c's and the mid to low 80's is about all I get when it's triple digits outside.

That's not quite right. The A/C output should be about 20 degrees cooler than at the return air. The recirculating air has nothing to do with the outside air. If the air going into the return is 80 degrees, you should have, at least, 60-degree air coming out the A/C vents.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 03, 2018
Could be normal. Certainly worth a look up inside. First check the plenum divider is well positioned and properly sealed between air in and air out of the unit. Some are done poorly and significant air just circulates in the unit instead of cooling the RV. Also check the ducting to the RV is well sealed to the unit. You don't want any extra cold air leaking into the ceiling cavity. Use aluminum A/C tape as needed.

After running a several hours non-stop look up inside to verify there is no ice on the evaporator. If they are getting iced up you will not be getting the proper air flow or BTU rating of cool air.

Assuming you have a wall thermostat you should have a freeze sensor that is placed against the evaporator to cycle the compressor if frost forms. These freeze sensors are often poorly placed or fall away from the evaporator allowing a freeze up.

If you are comfortable on the roof it is worth inspecting if the condenser needs to be cleaned.

If the park is full do check your voltage is above 108 in the RV in the afternoon. If voltage is sagging the compressor works extra hard.

Otherwise just let it run and keep a cold drink in hand.
azdryheat
Explorer
Sep 03, 2018
Your a/c's seem to be working fine. Your a/c's only cool down about 20 degrees from the outside air temperature. Your RV has zip for insulation (it's only Styrofoam in the walls); you have about as much insulation as a Coleman cooler. I'll bet you don't have dual-pane windows, either. I've got 3 a/c's and the mid to low 80's is about all I get when it's triple digits outside.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2018
Eighty, a twenty degree reduction from the outside, isn’t brutal in the desert this time of year and, yes, depends on your RVs insulation. Heck, it was 105 this March at Furnace Creek and there’s no lake to jump in.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2018
I think that's all two 13.5 A/Cs can deliver.

Pull in your slides for less roof space in the sun and less cubic feet to cool.

Check the air in your wheels and drive to a higher elevation.

Bill
prepilot_3ck
Explorer
Sep 03, 2018
ScottG wrote:
Did you turn on the AC before everything in the RV got hot? If not then that is part of the problem. Turn it on in the morning and try to keep it at the set point.
It really depends on how the rig is insulated and leakage but in full sun at those temps, that may be all it can do.

Thanks, yeah, we fired it up on the generator before we left the house early Saturday morning. It's been running full blast since on the generator and now on the 50AMP CG power. It cools off enough at night where they will shut off, but as soon as the sun comes up they can't keep up anymore.

It's possible, they are just too light for this climate. Fall is coming! :)

Thanks,
ScottG
Nomad
Sep 03, 2018
Did you turn on the AC before everything in the RV got hot? If not then that is part of the problem. Turn it on in the morning and try to keep it at the set point.
It really depends on how the rig is insulated and leakage but in full sun at those temps, that may be all it can do.

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Fellow desert dwellers AC question

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