roof mounted ac vs side mounted ac unit

We had a 5000btu unit in a 6x14 cargo trailer conversion. Even though it was insulated, that AC had a really hard time keeping us cool at night in Florida summer.

SoundGuy wrote:

GWolfe wrote:
Theirs will also run off of their 2000 watt genny, I had to get a 3100 watt one for mine.

Even though it's too late for you as you've already purchased a larger genset for running your 13,500 BTU A/C there now is an alternative solution that will allow one to successfully start & run a 13.5K BTU A/C with any 2000 watt genset, that solution being a Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit added to your A/C unit. I'm one of those who proved I could successfully start any one of number of 13.5K BTU A/Cs that I've owned with a Honda EU2000i genset BUT only when certain conditions were met - elevation close to sea level, ambient temps below ~ 85F, a Supco SPP6 hard start capacitor added to the A/C, and Mobil 1 synth oil in the genset crankcase. Change any of those and my chances of a successful start quickly diminished. I wish this soft starter kit had been available at the time, I likely would have kept my last EU2000i just for this purpose. :B

Thanks for the heads up SoundGuy, if something were to happen to my genny I would sure consider this option.

GWolfe wrote:
Theirs will also run off of their 2000 watt genny, I had to get a 3100 watt one for mine.

Even though it's too late for you as you've already purchased a larger genset for running your 13,500 BTU A/C there now is an alternative solution that will allow one to successfully start & run a 13.5K BTU A/C with any 2000 watt genset, that solution being a Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit added to your A/C unit. I'm one of those who proved I could successfully start any one of number of 13.5K BTU A/Cs that I've owned with a Honda EU2000i genset BUT only when certain conditions were met - elevation close to sea level, ambient temps below ~ 85F, a Supco SPP6 hard start capacitor added to the A/C, and Mobil 1 synth oil in the genset crankcase. Change any of those and my chances of a successful start quickly diminished. I wish this soft starter kit had been available at the time, I likely would have kept my last EU2000i just for this purpose. :B

I've got a 7.5 K unit in my tent camper. On very hot, humid days and nights it will chill down the tent camper very well. In fact, I usually get up at night when we've used it and turned it down to the lowest setting.

My dream situation is to add more batteries and solar panels to run a 5K unit for a few hrs each day. With my new insulation job, I'm pretty sure it will keep the inside cool, at least in the weather we get up here.

I camp with friends that have an 18' camper with the 5000k side mount, I have a 13,5k roof mount. In the spring and fall when we camp the most theirs does just fine, its the heat of the summer where they struggle a little bit. If we can find a shady spot and they use the Reflectix in the windows and those pillows in the roof vents it works OK. I think if theirs had an 8k unit it would be better unfortunately to upgrade would take some cabinet rebuilding since the 8k is a little deeper. My 13,5 has no problems in a similar sized trailer.

I do think theirs is quieter and I also like the fact that their campers height isn't as great as mine without the AC on the roof. Theirs will also run off of their 2000 watt genny, I had to get a 3100 watt one for mine. If you camp where there is electric hookups that doesn't really matter.

AC is one of the best features in a camper (compared to a tent). Get the roof AC.

The only thing I can think is a true draw back is a wall mounted unit is very directional. Ours blows right into our kitchen and you have to shut it off to cook. Overhead units blow over the entire camper evenly. Just something to look at while shopping.

FWIW we own a KZ 17RBS with a roof mounted Coleman A/C. We had a very hot summer this year in TN with many days in the high 90's. That A/C kept the camper nice and cool.

My Coleman CTS 16 FB has a side mount 8 K unit, We live in Fla. and it cools really great in the summer in fact we usually turn it down as it gets too cold. the noise is probably less that the roof mount in our MH and other previous units. Plus as stated. if it dies, we can just run to Wally World and get a new one for minimal cost and is easy to replace, in a short period of time we can be cool again.

To get an idea of electrical draw, divide btu's by 3.412 to get watts.