Our favorite travel trailer ever is a 27 foot Sunset Trail trailer from Crossroads RV (30 foot tongue-to-bumper, but 27 foot usable floor) and this unit come standard with a single 15,000 BTU. But as an option you can get a second 13,500 BTU A/C (I don't know why they are different sizes, but who cares...). BUT, when you choose the 2nd air conditioning option, it comes with a forced upgrade to a 50A service instead of the basic 30A service! Moreover, what we observed yet, is local dealers tend to order this options for stock's units, but not all of them as well.A 50A service sound like a complete deal breaker for me because it drastically reduces the range of options on campsites especially for a pretty small trailer of 27 foot.Just wanted to have your quick opinion, mostly regarding the need of two AC for that size of trailer versus the fact of having a 50A service, because we saw a lot of 33-35 foot trailer with a 30A service...

50A service is generally required to power 2 AC units simultaneously, thus the required upgrade. I don't see why you would need 2 units on a trailer that small though. The addition of a 50Ax30A adapter makes any campsite usable. I use the 50A plug any time it is available for my 30A TT. They tend to be in better condition than the 30A plugs.

Unless you're planning on parking in direct sunshine in the southern part of the continent I July - August, I would think the 15,000 btu AC would be adequate. We mostly stay at state parks that have shade and our single AC does a decent job keeping our 15 year old my cool.

vlopddap wrote:Our favorite travel trailer ever is a 27 foot Sunset Trail trailer from Crossroads RV (30 foot tongue-to-bumper, but 27 foot usable floor) and this unit come standard with a single 15,000 BTU. But as an option you can get a second 13,500 BTU A/C (I don't know why they are different sizes, but who cares...). With any rig with dual A/Cs it's not unusual at all that one would be 15K and the other 13.5K but regardless, dual A/Cs demand 50 amp service as 30 amp just isn't sufficient. JMO, but having owned a 24' trailer equipped with a single 13.5K A/C that could freeze us out even under extreme conditions I don't see the need for anything more than a single 15K unit in a trailer just 27' long, and as you say you'll have a much greater choice of 30 amp sites than you will 50 amp sites. I know what my choice would be. ;)

Our Rockwood 2604 - really 26'4" box and 30'B2B - came with a 15,000 and even here in TN and traveling through TX, NM, OK and others, we found it was perfectly comfortable. Agree that the 50 AMP would be a deal breaker....too many places you might like to visit and not available. I would go with the single 15K.

I would probably pass unless you are close to full time in the hot and/or humid areas down south.Generally 15k should be fine with 27'No harm in using 30/50 adapter and just the one AC as needed.

Dual AC option on 27 foot trailer? | Good Sam Community

SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 01, 2015
schrederman wrote:
The 50 amp plug has one hot leg that's 30 amps like a normal trailer, and runs most of the stuff, including the first A/C. The second hot leg is usually breakered at 20 amps and is for the 2nd A/C and/or electric fireplace if equipped.

Good grief! :E Time to read up on 50 amp RV service.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Jun 01, 2015
I'm sitting here at a 30 amp hookup using a 50-30 amp dog bone with both of my A/C's running to cool down our 42' fiver. I must run my water heater on propane and can't use the microwave when both units are on but no big deal.
Too answer your question a 50 amp service can plug into a 30 amp with no issues using a $20 adapter.
campigloo
Explorer
Jun 01, 2015
I had one the same size as yours. The only time I wished I had a second unit is from around 1 pm to about 5. It would get a little warmer than I liked, but a couple of small fans helped a lot. Same in my current trailer, 33' box. Not going in and out a lot also helps. Once the sun starts going down a little, the 15,000 does a nice job. Most parks charge a few extra dollars for 50amp.
marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Jun 02, 2015
A lot will depend on the insulation of walls, floor and roof. Dual pane windows and mini awnings on each window and my single 13,500 can keep me at 65 degrees inside when it's 105 outside in full AZ sun.
Low humidity also helps in my case.

If you park in full shade that could be a huge advantage.
CampingN_C_
Explorer
Jun 02, 2015
15K AC is fine for us in a 32 footer with 2 slides in direct Myrtle Beach sun every summer.
50 amp would be nice though.
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Jun 02, 2015
:) Hi, no-one seemed to mention the weight and bulkiness of the much larger cable of the 50 amp service. In really cold weather my 30 amp cord is difficult to roll up. I had to bring it inside of the trailer to thaw out so it wouldn't break.
RavensFan24
Explorer
Jun 02, 2015
Our unit is 30' and came with a 15k BTU unit and a 50amp cable. I can hook to 30amp anywhere with the 50a to 30a adapter. It came with a 50amp cable because the bedroom is pre-wired for me to add a 2nd AC unit. I'd rather be prepared to upgrade rather than not have the option to upgrade due to being wired for 30amp. We live in Florida and there are lots of spots with no shade coverage. the 15k unit will cool us down just fine, but it tends to run for a long time when its super hot out and no shade. I may eventually add the 2nd one just to keep the bedroom cooler, but I'm in no rush. In a pinch I had to plug into someone's house to run the AC while my dogs stayed in the trailer and I used the 50amp to 30amp adapter and then plugged that into the 15a adapter to be able to plug in to the house. I checked everything periodically and the cables never over heated and it worked like a charm. Don't fear the 50amp!
Halmfamily
Explorer
Jun 02, 2015
ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:
:) Hi, no-one seemed to mention the weight and bulkiness of the much larger cable of the 50 amp service. In really cold weather my 30 amp cord is difficult to roll up. I had to bring it inside of the trailer to thaw out so it wouldn't break.

That is a great point. Wrangling our 50 amp when its cold is a pain the arse. They just don't want to roll up into a nice roll and go quietly into the there compartment.
vlopddap
Explorer
Jun 02, 2015
Thank you very much guys for the great comments. Yes, weight is also a good point because a 13.5K roof unit weight at least 100 pounds with accessories...

My own conclusion is it doesn't worth the upgrade for a second A/C on a trailer that size.

Thanks again! :-)
Mickey_D
Explorer
Jun 03, 2015
One nice thing about having a dual AC system is that you have a spare if something goes wrong with one of them. We have two in our LaCrosse 329 and normally only run the one in the rear bunkroom. The "white noise" from the AC helps the kids go to sleep and does not bother us in the front. We only run the front one when trying to cool it off quickly on a toasty day.

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Dual AC option on 27 foot trailer?

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