Full time 5th Wheel living in Phoenix in the summer

[sparky60]

It seems as though all of the so-called Four-Seasons 5th Wheel manufacturers focus on the cold weather. I would like to know how any of them would fare in an extremely hot environment, like Phoenix, AZ during the summer (120 degrees)
If you've got some experience with living full time in your Fifth Wheel in the Phoenix and Mesa, AZ area, I would sure like to hear from you about what rig you have and how you coped with the extreme heat.
Thanks very much!

[Us_out_West]

Me Again wrote:
Buy a park model with a real AC unit! Chris

Thats where I was going.

One can buy (don't rent) a park model at a variety of RV parks for half the cost (or less) of a new 5th wheel like maybe the OP is considering.

So....after a "few years" in Mesa sell the park model, there are always buyers. You'll have been a lot more comfortable than living in any RV in the Phoenix area or any place in AZ in the Summer....and that would be 3 Summers if you stick to your plan.

Just get into the right Park and don't worry about having to move.

[soos]

We spent an entire summer in Lake Havasu City, which is actually warmer than Phoenix.
We were in our Mobile Suites. We were able to maintain an interior temperature of 76-78* all summer, even though the exterior temperature rarely went below 100- at night.
We were careful which site we picked so our patio did not face west.
We set up sunshades on both sides of the rig, making sure the refrigerator was protected from the sun- we used a gray tarp for that section. None of it was pretty but it worked.
We kept all shades closed most of the time, and put insulating material in the windows that we really never cared about opening.
We have 2 air conditioners and from mid June to the end of August, neither one of them ever shut off, but as I said, we were able to keep it cool enough to feel very comfy. My bigger complait was that even using straight cold water, the water was too warm to take a shower.

We were lucky, we also have a truck camper so we took it on weekends and went to Flagstaff where it was significantly cooler.
One of my worries was the cat. I wouldn't go too far because if we had left him home and lost power, I don't think he would have survived long. he always came in the camper with us.

So, we did it, but it did have the feel of cave dwelling.

[ford-willy]

I have experience in a very hot climate. We own a RV lot at a Resort in Lake Havasu City Az. We normally just winter in our big Grand Junction 5ver there. But on occasion have been there in 115 degree temps.

It is a huge strain on a normal 50 amp RV service. Last September, 115 degrees outside our transfer switch melted down requiring a 3 day fix and a motel room. Very lucky. could have burned the whole darn rig down. We now run a smoke detector in the sub floor area. Running 2 airs almost 24/7 along with other appliances is a huge strain. You need to minimize use of other appliances when running 2 airs constantly. Any little weak spot in your electric system (loose wire connection etc) can cause a huge failure.

This summer we rented the lot to a full time couple. We have an electric usage deal with them. The monthly electric bill is running just under $300 per month for them if that helps you any.

If you leave the rig for any time at all, and don't leave the 2 airs running, when you get back the rig will be so hot inside (maybe well into the 110 degree mark" that it will be midnight before it even cools down enough to sleep.

[sparky60]

Park model space rent is over $1100/month. An RV site is about $230/month. And if I want to go to another park at some point, I don't have to sell a tiny home. I just hitch and drive. Nuff said about that.
I'm loving the mini split idea. That's EXACTLY the kind of information I'm looking for - ideas to help me accomplish what I want to do, not anyone else's opinions as to why I shouldn't do what I want to do.

[n0arp]

Second Chance wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
I have to ask, why would you want to live there in the summer??? That's why you have wheels on the thing. Go a little ways east or north to gain elevation.

Look at Northwoods, they have better insulation in the roof.

If you're staying there because you own land there, then get a roof put up over it.

I just can't imagine staying there in the summer. I left last April because it was getting too hot for me.

Bill

X2... and will you pay for metered electricity? That could get really expensive!

Rob

This is why I recommend retrofitting a mini-split. It will address the cooling capacity, efficiency, and cost, and isn't that hard to do.

[Me_Again]

Buy a park model with a real AC unit! Chris

[Second_Chance]

Trackrig wrote:
I have to ask, why would you want to live there in the summer??? That's why you have wheels on the thing. Go a little ways east or north to gain elevation.

Look at Northwoods, they have better insulation in the roof.

If you're staying there because you own land there, then get a roof put up over it.

I just can't imagine staying there in the summer. I left last April because it was getting too hot for me.

Bill

X2... and will you pay for metered electricity? That could get really expensive!

Rob

[sparky60]

UsOutWest - The 5th Wheel will be our home. We may travel some, and for that we have a 2015 Coachmen Freelander Class c Motorhome.

[n0arp]

Retrofit a mini-split.

[darsben1]

Amen to window awnings and a big awning to keep the sun out.

You might also consider a free standing A/c unit that draws in and expels outside air to to get rid of the heat from operating the A/C
like
https://www.amazon.com/Whynter-Dual-Portable-Conditioner-ARC-14S/dp/B0028AYQDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473203188&sr=8-1&keywords=portable+a%2Fc+with+intake+hose

[Us_out_West]

sparky60 wrote:
Thanks for the tips. I've pretty much exhausted my search about tips and tricks to reduce the heat. What I'd really like to know is what brand 5th Wheel you have that's made your living in the valley a reasonable venture.
Reason being, we want to buy a 5th Wheel and make Mesa, AZ our full time home until we retire and can snowbird. We've still got a few years left to work.

Question?

If you buy a 5th wheel and are in Mesa until you retire (a few years) do you plan to travel with the 5th wheel as time permits or just use it as a place to live?

[sparky60]

Thanks for the tips. I've pretty much exhausted my search about tips and tricks to reduce the heat. What I'd really like to know is what brand 5th Wheel you have that's made your living in the valley a reasonable venture.
Reason being, we want to buy a 5th Wheel and make Mesa, AZ our full time home until we retire and can snowbird. We've still got a few years left to work.

[GoPackGo]

First off - insulation works the same in cold weather and hot weather - just like your house. More is better.

I stayed one winter in Phoenix. It was touching 100 degrees during the day as I was heading out on 1 May.

One observation I have is that I saw many folks with an open air car-port type of covering over their trailers and mobile homes. Just 4 poles and a hard covering. The idea is to just keep the sun off the rig and from directly heating up that big tin can. That is the first thing I would do.

I talked to a couple folks who stayed year round in the RV park I stayed at. They put insulation in the windows and bought a couple of household window AC units. They told me the household ones are much more efficient then the dedicated RV units.

[DownTheAvenue]

Except for a heated basement to prevent pipes freezing in the winter, anything that helps to keep cold out also helps to keep hot out and chilled air in. So, a "4 season" RV that has extra insulation, dual pane windows, and other cold weather options will be beneficial in hot weather as well.

[Trackrig]

I have to ask, why would you want to live there in the summer??? That's why you have wheels on the thing. Go a little ways east or north to gain elevation.

Look at Northwoods, they have better insulation in the roof.

If you're staying there because you own land there, then get a roof put up over it.

I just can't imagine staying there in the summer. I left last April because it was getting too hot for me.

Bill