Effy wrote:
gowestwardho wrote:
Effy,
I had started out looking at the Thor ACE as well but now have my eye on the Jayco Precept 31UL. As near as I recall though the ACE doesn't have the double pan windows as an option either does it? (The Precept doesn't too) So you point being neither of this entry level coaches would offer it. But have you had any issues with only single pane? Or are you not really in extreme temperatures enough to notice? Just curious about your experience since these are two similiar coaches. Thx
Nope, the ACE doesn't have them, pretty sure the Vista, Bay Star, Pursuit, FR3 - any of the entry level MH's won't have them. We bought our coach because it hit the price point vs amount of use. We usually only take 2 - 3 longer than a week trips per year, and the rest are weekenders. So it didn't make sense for us to buy more coach than we needed. It works for us but the concessions were conscious ones - I knew what level of coach I was buying and it's shortcomings, but it suits our needs. I can't speak for all coaches but I will tell you this, when it's hot (100 or near) and travelling the AC will run non stop and usually can't keep up. When camped it does a little better likely due to lack of engine and road heat. We don't cold camp a lot but the furnace runs a lot when we do and cycle time is pretty fast when it gets below 30. Like kicking on every 5 mins. But that is my coach which is about as entry level as it gets. Poorly insulated I am sure, no doubt dual panes would have a benefit. How much it's hard for me to say because my coach has a lot going against it in the insulation department. AS others have said, single panes offer very little in noise reduction too. My guess would be that the majority of entry level MH's perform this way. They are made for weekending and shorter trips. But you get what you pay for. If I were looking for something I would use more, longer or in harsher environments, I would look further up the food chain. Dual pane windows, better R value in the walls, ceiling and floor, 2 AC's minimum if not 3, and a more sophisticated furnace would be a few things of concern. You just don't get that stuff in the entry level space. Hope that helps in some way.
I think Effy has given you a great analysis of the issue -- let me chime in as to a couple of things -- Single pane glass is a really big deal in the sun, but that said direct sun will cook you even if you have dual pane.
In all Coaches the windshield is single pane and is the major source of heat exchange in the Coach (IMHO) if you cover it it's negativity can be abated, if you use reflective insulated bubble wrap, you will gain more, in both the heat and in the cold. so you could buy single pane and cover them with insulation but then you may as well not have them.
You live in Arizona so the SUN is a big deal, if you camp in the shoulder seasons and not in the Heat of the Summer or the Cold of the Winter, it might not make that big a deal.
So.......... if you can avoid them and the end result will likely be better (JMHO) if not just adapt to the weather and enjoy getting out - likely beats a tent or a tent camper by a MILE.
BOL,
