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.

Sounds pretty normal for a single AC, especially if it's in the sun and the unit has to cool down first.

when we ordered our 5er , the first option we added was the 2nd bedroom air (13.5K) . When we camp with no shade and at higher temps , it is fantastic!!!

We added a 13.5 air conditioner last year, it is needed in this 90 degree plus heat. The i3.5 works fine but I wish I had bought the 15 instead.

No, I'd say it's not normal in the temps you describe. Upper 90s, yeah- it'll never shut off..

Air conditioner not keeping up in 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

ScottG
Nomad
May 27, 2014
Sounds pretty normal for a single AC, especially if it's in the sun and the unit has to cool down first.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
May 27, 2014
when we ordered our 5er , the first option we added was the 2nd bedroom air (13.5K) . When we camp with no shade and at higher temps , it is fantastic!!!
Weldon
Explorer
May 27, 2014
We added a 13.5 air conditioner last year, it is needed in this 90 degree plus heat. The i3.5 works fine but I wish I had bought the 15 instead.
352
Explorer
May 27, 2014
Yep, sounds about right.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 27, 2014
No, I'd say it's not normal in the temps you describe. Upper 90s, yeah- it'll never shut off..
Lantley
Nomad
May 27, 2014
Yes it is normal. A 4 slide 5'er will generally require 2 A/C units.
Two_Hands
Explorer
May 27, 2014
Our 34' fiver with three slides had only one air conditioner and it was the same as yours as far as cooling. I wished I had added a second when I bought it. Part of the problem, maybe a big part, is the fact that you can't cool the fifth wheel while you are driving. Then when you arrive at your site the air conditioner has to cool down the inside of a hot trailer. Get a second ac.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 27, 2014
Yep........Normal

One A/C unit (even a 15K btu) will struggle to cool down a 4 slide out 5vr.

Best thing is a second A/C Unit

Next best thing...start A/C Unit early and run it late trying to not let inside temp get hot.
Park in shade and use awning to help shade side of rig.
BB_TX
Nomad
May 27, 2014
Pretty normal in those temps to cool it down when it has been warming up during the day. That is the reason I added a second AC. After a warm/hot day of towing we turn on both ACs until the trailer cools then turn one off. Most of the time we never run both at the same time again until the end of the next travel day.
oldtrojan66
Explorer
May 27, 2014
Two Hands wrote:
Part of the problem, maybe a big part, is the fact that you can't cool the fifth wheel while you are driving. Then when you arrive at your site the air conditioner has to cool down the inside of a hot trailer.

I am really a "fan" (pun intended) of the Maxxair we installed. It runs on 12V and can be open and exhausting while driving. Then the fiver is not so hot when we arrive. I like to park in the shade, but then the problem is TV reception! Can't win for loosin'!