Air conditioning in new 5th Wheel

[CLHEJ]

Hi all, just curious about air conditioners on a brand new unit.

I took delivery of a new 2021 Grand Design Reflection fifth wheel.

We are out on the maiden voyage and it seems the air conditioners are not keeping up. Is it normal to have a new unit with dual ac units for it not to keep up.

Its 93 outside, and 83 I side but the ac is set to 73.

As always, thank you in advance for the assistance!

[MFL]

CLHEJ wrote:
Thank you all.

FWIW, we have a 41' five with 4 slides. 15k ac unit in the living area and a 13.5k unit in the front bedroom.

This info helps, and changes my thought of "something is wrong". That is a lot of space to cool, and the multiple slide roofs, that are not insulated as well, may add to cooling issue.

I agree with others, check for cooling loss into roof, around vents, seal any area that could leak. With ceiling AC covers removed, look up, check for any areas needing a better seal, taping with foil tape.

If you find no issues, you may need to add the 3rd AC, to maintain a 73 degree setting in high heat conditions.

Jerry

[scbwr]

The OP mentions that the thermostat is set at 73. What happens if you lower the thermostat setting? Are the AC units running continuously or are they cycling out? The location of the temperature settings in our Bay Star requires adjusting the thermostat more often when in very hot temps.

[GDS-3950BH]

Both ACs in my Solitude 3950 have been running full bore in the PA mountains since Wed. I am in full sun from noon until sundown. Temp inside is 84 at 2 PM. Outside 89. Temp of air at outlet is 54. 15K btu units. After sundown interior will drop to 72 and units cycle. Previous GD reflection with 2 15K units was close to the same, on same site, same time of year.

[CLHEJ]

Thank you all.

FWIW, we have a 41' five with 4 slides. 15k ac unit in the living area and a 13.5k unit in the front bedroom.

[Gearitis]

Regardless of brand of RV, there maybe an issue with return air not making into the exchange correctly. On all of the RV's I have owned over the past 30 years, I have always taken the air conditioner bezel off inside and foil taped around the sides so air does not get between roof and ceiling. Only the ducting, will be allowed air if you have ducting. Also the, so called plenum between the cold air and the warm return air may need to also be foil taped to keep the air conditioner from just recirculating air that has already been cooled. If your cold air is just sucked back in the return then you are not circulating the cooled air. My last 5er I had to do that on both air conditioners. I keep an infrared thermometer handy to check the vent temps and expect a 20 degree or more differential after about 30 minutes of running it. But I would sure look at the air not being circulated right in the area just under the air conditioner on both units. My dad had a brand new Cardinal and he was having an issue with not cooling correctly. Took it in and they said was all good. I drove 5 hours to his location with my handy dandy foil tape. We took off all vents and bezels and taped the connections between the vent and pathways at the air conditioner and final destinations in the RV and now on 100 degree days, in East Texas, he is in a 68 degree RV. Just my 2 cents.

[ford_truck_guy]

our last fiver had 2 AC's and the struggled to keep me cool in direct sun, all day.. I Made some improvements that helped greatly... Removed round vet collars, they are sticking Into the ducts about 1-1/2 inches.... I cut them all down to be just a hair longer than needed... reinstalled them and used foil tape to seal them... I also re insulated our front closet, that helped a lot as well...

now we have 3 AC's and OMG, what a difference.... 42' dark fiver in all sun in 95+ and DW tells me to turn the temps up as she is cold ! ! ! :B

[ACZL]

RobWNY wrote:
Remember that Grand Design boasts a roof R-factor of 40. That's a gross misrepresentation. They manipulate numbers and materials to claim R-40 So the thing to remember is you're in a tin can in the heat of summer. You can do other things to help as others have said. We try to find camping spots that are shaded and keep the shades drawn if the sun is shining in. We also fill the 14" vents with Vent Pillows that have a reflective foil on one side. They also keep the room dark when the sun comes up early. If all else fails, we opt for Popsicle's and the pool.

You didn't say you have a pool, so we'll be down!!!! LOL

OP: Like others assuming you have a wall t-stat, so is it on the high speed fan setting? Yes it takes awhile to get things down to temp, but should catch up if ran overnight. What size A/C units do you have? Does it have the "Quick Cool" selector underneath it or no? FWIW, we have 2 15K units and they will get coach cool in a decent fashion then keep it there (have t-stats set at 72* or so). If you've done all the suggestions made, looked at things and all and still NADA, time to get here looked at again by dealer.

[RobWNY]

Remember that Grand Design boasts a roof R-factor of 40. That's a gross misrepresentation. They manipulate numbers and materials to claim R-40 So the thing to remember is you're in a tin can in the heat of summer. You can do other things to help as others have said. We try to find camping spots that are shaded and keep the shades drawn if the sun is shining in. We also fill the 14" vents with Vent Pillows that have a reflective foil on one side. They also keep the room dark when the sun comes up early. If all else fails, we opt for Popsicle's and the pool.

[MFL]

Lots of assuming, but should ask, 2 ACs means 50A electric right? Not knowing FW length, number of slide outs is leaving out useful info. I would say normally, units running over night catching up, should easily maintain set temp. Something is wrong!

Have you checked voltage available, during hot part of day.

My FW is labled 4-season, and actually is well insulated. I can tell this, even just from the sound proofing over previous units. It heats easily, cools great, even cooling a hot trailer, just pulling in, hooking up in the heat of day. I have one ducted 15K AC, cooling 30' inside measurement, from back wall to bed head board. I set my stat at 76 day 72 night.

Jerry

[bgum]

Take it to dealer for correcting. It could be as simple as air mixing or clogged fins. That is assuming you have done your part such as keeping the door closed.

[A1RVTraveler]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:

CLHEJ wrote:
Thanks for your response. We have been here overnight already. It does seem like the air is coming out cool. Just not cooling the unit down during the day.

If the air exiting the unit is 10 or more degrees cooler than the air going in, thats about all you can expect.
Putting air pillows in any skylights, putting additional insulation on windows, especially those facing afternoon sun will all help.

The temperature differential should be closer to 20F-22F. Something is wrong if the differential is only 10F.

[CA_Traveler]

Common summer complaint. Factors: Limited insulation, single pane windows, windows not covered (think foil backed insulation), small A/Cs, not enough A/Cs for the length, air leaks, dark exterior paint, low voltage, cooking inside, etc.

[wanderingaimles]

CLHEJ wrote:
Thanks for your response. We have been here overnight already. It does seem like the air is coming out cool. Just not cooling the unit down during the day.

If the air exiting the unit is 10 or more degrees cooler than the air going in, thats about all you can expect.
Putting air pillows in any skylights, putting additional insulation on windows, especially those facing afternoon sun will all help.

[CLHEJ]

Thanks for your response. We have been here overnight already. It does seem like the air is coming out cool. Just not cooling the unit down during the day.

[wanderingaimles]

How long have you been there? If, you have not been there overnight to allow the AC units time to cool the interior insulation and fixtures, then maybe not.
If you have, get an old style thermometer, and check the temp of the air coming out of the AC units, it should be more than 10 degrees cooler than the room temp air.