Air conditioner not keeping up in 5th wheel

[jeff__h]

The 5th wheel is a 35QSIK with 4 slides.

Is it normal for the single air conditioner to struggle to cool the 5th wheel when the temp is only in the mid to upper 80s?

The air conditioner finally won, but it took hours to do so. The next day was much better because we left the air on all day so the RV was never allowed to heat up.

Doesn't bode well for later this summer with temps in the mid 90s.

If this is normal, what are my option to help keep the RV cool? I would rather not have to run out and buy a second AC unit if I can avoid it.

[FlatBroke]

Picture of the mod looking straight up. Tent point goes to the air source and the left and right sides direct it to the duct work. Can't help but make a better air flow.

[FlatBroke]

The mod was made by a Heartland member back in "06". Worked like a charm in most trailers. I don't stick around in extremely hot locals so it my not be the answer for those that do.
Most folks po-poed the idea so I really haven't brought it up much. So if ya all got an extra $1000 laying around and don't want to waste your time doing a simple mod go for it. Me, I never need two ACs.

[jeff__h]

avvidclif1 wrote:

taken wrote:
It's a mod where you bend a piece of sheet metal in the shape of a tent and attach it below the cold air output of your ac to more smoothly divert the airflow to your ducts.

See link: clicky

The clicky leads to the Heartland group which you have to join before seeing the pictures.

Yeah, but it only takes a minute to join. Seeing the pictures is worth the effort to join.

[Jimf1234]

.

[FlatBroke]

Campinfan wrote:
OK, I give....what is a tent in a vent

Basically your air is blown straight down into the flat surface of the chill grill and has to figure out where to go. You make a tent in the vent to direct the it so the air has a smooth direct transition into the ceiling duct work. Smooth out all the rough surfaces with furnace tape. You will get a good idea by googling tent in the vent mod then taking off the grill and you will figure it out. Results lot more air being delivered and quieter.
Surprised that the manufactures just slop @$$ the install, but I guess they sell more ACs that way.

[FlatBroke]

nylyon wrote:
And no one ever says "I wish I only had 1 A/C" !

All I ever said was "I'm glad I never had to buy a second AC"

[Tigertracks]

I added solar screen to the exterior windows of my unit, which I can easily add or remove when parked. Works great, looks okay and very cheap.

[avvidclif1]

taken wrote:
It's a mod where you bend a piece of sheet metal in the shape of a tent and attach it below the cold air output of your ac to more smoothly divert the airflow to your ducts.

See link: clicky

The clicky leads to the Heartland group which you have to join before seeing the pictures.

[kennethwooster]

Purchased our Cameo in Colorado with 1 a/c. Got to TEXAS and it did not stay cool at all even in shade. Put 2nd unit on as well as 7000 onan gen. The beauty is we stop about 1 hour before destination start gen. And air conditioner which began cooling before we get to destination. Nost rvs will need 2nd unit.

[nylyon]

And no one ever says "I wish I only had 1 A/C" !

[taken]

It's a mod where you bend a piece of sheet metal in the shape of a tent and attach it below the cold air output of your ac to more smoothly divert the airflow to your ducts.

See link: clicky

[Campinfan]

OK, I give....what is a tent in a vent

[RandACampin]

Your camper is heat soaked, it will take a while to cool it down. No different than turning off your home air for a few days then trying to cool it down.

[jeff__h]

ChopperBill wrote:
We stay AZ in the winter but it can get into to 90's before we leave. Only 30 amp in the park. All the neighbors have a little longer rv's, none over 36', and vary from a Mobile Suite to a Monaco to a Sansabar to a Montana. All of them complain about their AC not keeping them cool. We only have one 15000 AC and you could hang meat in it when running, even shuts down when it reaches our selected temp. Not sure how it would do when it gets to a100, but we that are what the wheels are for.
On edit: bet 80% of the units are not blowing enough air. That is what the "tent in the vent" mod is for. increased air flow by about 50% in our prior 40' rv made a world of difference.

Took a little time to find out this "tent in the vent" but it sounds interesting and is a heck of a lot cheaper than a 2nd A/C unit. Certainly worth a try. Thanks for sharing.