So we were not forward thinking enough when we purchased our TT back in December and opted for the smaller 13.5K AC in lieu of the 15K BTU option. My thinking at the time was that the smaller unit had a better chance of running off of a generator.Well... Jump forward to now. We sold our house and now Full-time in our trailer. For the next 3-4 weeks we're staying in Mesa, AZ where its a tad hot! We're insulating the windows and everything the best we can but our AC runs full speed all day and can only keep the trailer at around 85*. I'm wondering if a 15K unit would do much better? If I knew it would help keep things about 5*+ cooler I'd have no problem spending the money on the upgrade and just get one of the new Coleman Mach 8 units.Hopefully somebody has some first hand experience with this and can let me know if this is a good idea or not? Also, not interested in portable or window units as we will be travelling a bit and would just like to do it once (twice in this case...) and do it right.

could you maybe add another unit. is there a vent in the top that could be used to install a second unit?

I do not have any concrete numbers but the upgrade to 15K was the one thing I made the dealer do before I would buy my current rig, (the wife is a little warm blooded..). No problems with keeping the rig cool to date, though I do not live in AZ.. :)

We have a 15000 BTU DuoTherm in our 38ft 5th wheel. In up to 100 degree temps it will keep most of the 5th wheel at 78 or below during the heat of the day when the sun is overhead. We had a 13.5 unit before and it would creep up to 85 at the hottest part of the day. What we found works best is to leave the A/C on 24 hours a day and adjust the thermometer or put on jackets as you get cold. The goal is to keep everything inside as cold as possible so as the heat rises outside the A/C can maintain the cold better because the furniture, walls, counters are all cold already.In addition our blinds are closed, we have awnings over all windows and our patio awning is deployed and dipped to keep the sun from shining onto the side of the trailer. The door stays shut as much as possible, kids and friends either stay in or stay out. We also use portable fans to move air around to prevent hot spots. Or pointed at us if it gets uncomfortable inside.

I have a 15K unit in my Jayco 25RKS and I leave it on 24/7 using the thermostat to manage the temp. I do have the factory thermal package (for whatever value that really adds) and tinted windows and keep the shades down during the day. It doesn't seem to have any problems keeping the temp to 75 or so when the outside is near 100 and it does not run all the time. Not sure what the 13.5K unit would do but the 15K is working well for me in a similar size trailer.

Just another thought...how about something like this?....LINKIt would augment your existing unitNo install neededYou could run a separate extension cord directly to the power post at the site.Just a thought.

13.5K BTU AC versus 15K BTU AC | Good Sam Community

B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2013
The difference in capacity is slightly less than 10% more..I don't think that would make much difference. I'd go with downtheroad's answer also..

B.O.
4advtr
Explorer
Jun 15, 2013
the bear II wrote:
We have a 15000 BTU DuoTherm in our 38ft 5th wheel. In up to 100 degree temps it will keep most of the 5th wheel at 78 or below during the heat of the day when the sun is overhead.

We had a 13.5 unit before and it would creep up to 85 at the hottest part of the day.

What we found works best is to leave the A/C on 24 hours a day and adjust the thermometer or put on jackets as you get cold. The goal is to keep everything inside as cold as possible so as the heat rises outside the A/C can maintain the cold better because the furniture, walls, counters are all cold already.

In addition our blinds are closed, we have awnings over all windows and our patio awning is deployed and dipped to keep the sun from shining onto the side of the trailer. The door stays shut as much as possible, kids and friends either stay in or stay out.

We also use portable fans to move air around to prevent hot spots. Or pointed at us if it gets uncomfortable inside.

Do you just have a single A/C or two units? I like the heating option that some of the upgraded AC units offer and it looks like the Duotherm has a 3 speed fan, might be nice to quieten things down a little. Ours currently only has a 2 speed fan. We do at least have ducting in our unit.

As for the portable unit. I actually have one of those I left back in Bend. We just don't really have the floorspace for it. I would prefer to pay for the upgrade now and just enjoy the benefits going forward IF I know it'll help us with our issues.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 15, 2013
BuckBarker wrote:
downtheroad has your answer to the AZ heat. Just make sure your extension cord is heavy duty.

X2.

Arizona heat has to be experienced first hand in order to fully comprehend it.

Making the jump from 13.5 to 15.0 is a very small increase in cooling power, at a fairly high cost. Probably a grand or so with installation. Best to do this upgrade when purchasing the unit new.

That 11.0 extra unit will close to double your cooling for around 300.00.....And when you decide you are done with it, you can sell it for a few bucks.
BuckBarker
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
downtheroad has your answer to the AZ heat. Just make sure your extension cord is heavy duty.
downtheroad
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
Just another thought...how about something like this?....LINK

It would augment your existing unit
No install needed
You could run a separate extension cord directly to the power post at the site.

Just a thought.
Traver8
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
I have a 15K unit in my Jayco 25RKS and I leave it on 24/7 using the thermostat to manage the temp. I do have the factory thermal package (for whatever value that really adds) and tinted windows and keep the shades down during the day. It doesn't seem to have any problems keeping the temp to 75 or so when the outside is near 100 and it does not run all the time. Not sure what the 13.5K unit would do but the 15K is working well for me in a similar size trailer.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
We have a 15000 BTU DuoTherm in our 38ft 5th wheel. In up to 100 degree temps it will keep most of the 5th wheel at 78 or below during the heat of the day when the sun is overhead.

We had a 13.5 unit before and it would creep up to 85 at the hottest part of the day.

What we found works best is to leave the A/C on 24 hours a day and adjust the thermometer or put on jackets as you get cold. The goal is to keep everything inside as cold as possible so as the heat rises outside the A/C can maintain the cold better because the furniture, walls, counters are all cold already.

In addition our blinds are closed, we have awnings over all windows and our patio awning is deployed and dipped to keep the sun from shining onto the side of the trailer. The door stays shut as much as possible, kids and friends either stay in or stay out.

We also use portable fans to move air around to prevent hot spots. Or pointed at us if it gets uncomfortable inside.
Roundtwo-40
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
I do not have any concrete numbers but the upgrade to 15K was the one thing I made the dealer do before I would buy my current rig, (the wife is a little warm blooded..). No problems with keeping the rig cool to date, though I do not live in AZ.. :)
oldokie
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
could you maybe add another unit. is there a vent in the top that could be used to install a second unit?

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13.5K BTU AC versus 15K BTU AC

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