AC in the heat

[tomthyme]

So, what do you expect from your rig AC?

We have a 13k BTU AC in the front/master and a 15k BTU in the living. At present, the main 15k AC is keeping the rig at 10-12 degrees lower than the outside temp, with the bedroom AC running (all ducted). So, is this reasonable to you? We would like 20 degrees cooler and are ready to buy something new. The current 15k unit is 3 ears old, our 2nd on this rig. Maybe that's the price of living n Texas?

Thanks all!

Btw - Destin is awesome .. Our first visit!!

[Vette_Racer]

38 FT HitchHiker with one 15k air/heatpump unit in 100 degree heat, maintains 80 in direct sun, all depends on the insulation in the trailer.

[avvidclif1]

Correct quote: We've got a 13.5k in our 16' TT... Last weekend, temps around 97f, mostly full sun. A/C will get it down to 75 in 15-20 minutes, and take it colder from there. Our TT doesn't have the best insulation, however it doesn't have all that much internal volume for a 13.5k A/C either.

Put six grandkids from 6-13 in there fanning the door and tell me how well it works. I was wanting a 4th last weekend.

[Allworth]

We just returned to Orlando from a trip to Yosemite (among other western places).

Twenty-six consecutive days above 105. Many with no shade; sitting on gravel.

Without the second AC unit in the bedroom the trip would have been impossible.

[buc1980]

If you got children which come and go all the time out of the trailer will be very hard to keep the temp down.

[braindead0]

We've got a 13.5k in our 16' TT... Last weekend, temps around 97f, mostly full sun. A/C will get it down to 75 in 15-20 minutes, and take it colder from there. Our TT doesn't have the best insulation, however it doesn't have all that much internal volume for a 13.5k A/C either.

[joeburnes]

tomthyme wrote:
Thanks so much for all the replies. It will be 94 here in DFW today so we have the rig set up and cooling out front. At the duct outlet with the longest run from the units, the air is coming out of there at 59, with 56 at the unit. I suspect the ducts will warm up as the day goes on with no overhead shade, but we are hoping this was more a condition of our surroundings and less about the unit.

Here's to Hope!

I came across this thread doing a search in an attempt to see if limo tint or bubble wrap style insulation is the better option of the 2. I'm replying because I noticed you are in DFW. I've been in Arlington since March as an insurance adjuster because of the hail storms. I have a 32 foot 30 amp Montana RV 2004 model. It has 1 ac unit that I'm sure is a 15K btu unit. the windows have some tint on them but it may be built into the windows from the factory. They aren't dual pane. I do have the reflective sided pillows in my 3 vent holes. I'm at Trader's Village and under full shade. My temperature difference (the difference between outside temp and inside temp) has ranged from 18 degrees to 30 degrees depending upon the day. That makes me think you may have mechanical problems. For me, I made a HUGE mistake buying that much trailer with that little AC for Texas. It should be illegal to sell those in Texas. lol I am considering a separate unit in the bedroom wired separately since I don't think a 30 amp trailer could support 2 units while powering the regular things in life. On recent 100 degree days, it can get to 80 in the living room. I can shut off the bedroom door and do the a/c "dump" and get the living room down to 72. Basically, I'm having to live in the living room during the day as there is really no way for me to force all the ac air into the bedroom like I can into the living room. I hope this info helps you given that we are in the same area and suffering the same summer. lol
If I were in full sun, I'd be screwed. I'm about to do the bubble wrap thing throughout as I'm about to change parks and can't count on getting a shady spot.

[Cummins12V98]

It was 118 degrees here today with 3 AC's running we had the inside in the mid 70's.

VERY nice!!!

[tomthyme]

So we are at 92 here in DFW with a heat index of 98. It is 71 in the main living and 69 in the bedroom. We can live with that. Whew!

[time2roll]

Don't forget to check the interior plenum divider.
These are notorious for being poorly installed allowing cold air to re-circulate in the system.

Mine also leaks cool air into the roof cavity. Not real excited about pulling the ceiling apart to fix this. Maybe if I was in TX full time.

For reference my 26' cooled by a single 13.5 will hold in the low 80s inside when it is 105+ outside. As long as it cools at night when the sun goes down we are OK with it.

[RedRocket204]

Watch these videos and then address your AC units. Your RV has been on the road for 5 years now and chances are just needs a little attention, an easy fix. All the movement over the years results in AC unit seals that are no longer doing their job as good as should be. Properly seal those vents for the most efficient use of your AC units. You would be surprised what a difference it will make based upon escaping cool air being sucked right back into the intake and not cooling the RV.

Coleman or Dometic roof AC not cooling properly. Check, test and fix

All Seasons Mobile RV Repair. RV AC not cooling properly

[otrfun]

We have a 33ft. 5th wheel TH with two 13.5k a/c's (one in the front bedroom; one in the much larger main living area). On a recent 115 degree day (5 percent humidity) the smaller bedroom area would chill out around 72-74 degrees and the main living area would never get below 82-83 degrees. We used a high velocity squirrel cage fan to blow the much colder air from the bedroom area into the main living area (via the hallway). Temps in the main living area improved quite a bit, down to 79-80 degrees. Although we would have preferred a couple degrees cooler, considering the blistering heat outside, 79-80 still felt awfully nice.

Needless to say, the compressors on both a/c units never cycled for most of the day. We estimated we were using about $10 worth of electricity each day (compressors did cycle somewhat at night). The full hook-ups only cost us $17.50 a day.

[jffnkrn]

Our Grand Design 303 RLS in direct heat without humidity will keep about 20* to 25* difference from outside temp with shade and tinted windows insulated with foil bubble stuff. In direct sunlight max difference at about 20*. I am not an a/c expert but my a/c guy at home said you can loose about 30% to 40% cooling efficiency with high humidity cause a/c has to de-humidify also. Worse scenario, go to the pool, shopping or a movie during the hot part of the day! ! ! Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

[tomthyme]

Thanks so much for all the replies. It will be 94 here in DFW today so we have the rig set up and cooling out front. At the duct outlet with the longest run from the units, the air is coming out of there at 59, with 56 at the unit. I suspect the ducts will warm up as the day goes on with no overhead shade, but we are hoping this was more a condition of our surroundings and less about the unit.

Here's to Hope!

[GoPackGo]

I think you have AC problems. Based on your original post, if the outside temp is 97, you can only bring the inside temp down to 85 and that is with running both your AC units. I just don't think that is adequate. If you said those numbers were based on only the 15k unit, then I would believe it, but now with both running. I would have them checked by someone who knows what they are doing before spending big money on replacements.

I have two ACs and I can turn my rig into a meat locker if I want to. I know that shade helps and insulation helps, but I still you have AC problems.