Summer in Phoenix in a fifth-wheel? Has anyone done it?

[cannesdo]

A friend of mine is thinking of selling his park model and moving into a fiver. Wondering how much A/C it would take to keep it cool. If he could be comfortable physically if he stayed. He's looking at about a 28 footer I think. He would keep it here and not move it. I'm thinking a ceiling A/C and a window unit or a portable A/C inside might do the trick. Thought I'd try to find people who have done it.

I added a 2nd unit to my fifth-wheel before coming here in October. It made such a difference. I was comfortable in 90 degree temps and think I would have done fairly well with 100. It's the 120 I'm wondering about. Anyone done that? What does it take to keep comfortable in that? I realize the units will be running day and night.

[cdlaine]

Raised in El Centro, Ca. , lived the last 20 + in Chandler, Az. (Phx. burb). I would recommend your friend reconsider. There is a reason all the snowbirds depart around 1 Apr. It was 96 degrees here last week.

Your friend would have to have a very good reason to want to stay in PHX. in an RV in the summer. Sticks and bricks is barely tolerable, and that requires pushing a wheelbarrow full of cash to the Utility company every month.

Yes, it can be done. But one "breakdown" and you will be drowning in your own flopsweat by 9 a.m.... not to mention how tough it is to get "timely" repair work done .

Your mileage may vary... I have to live here.

Charles

[SailingOn]

We have a grandson in Chandler, so spend some part of most summers there.
I was impressed at how many people are in the parks at 6am, temp in the high 90's, enjoying the outdoors while they can.
Even if your air conditioner does a fine job, you're cooped up inside a small trailer.
It can be tolerable, but this summer we're in Michigan and Canada.

[rskeans]

Dtank wrote:

RustyJC wrote:
I'd highly recommend going north a bit to Flagstaff or Williams for the summer!

Rusty

Lots of So. CA folks RV and/or have vacation homes at "The River" (Colorado River) - Bullhead City, Havasu, etc. - for boating, fishing, etc.

Even with the "fun" aspect, they don't go there -even "temporarily"- in summer..:W

.

We have a house in Havasu. 110 deg is perfect for the Jet Ski. But that's it!

[time2roll]

Forget the window and portable nonsense. You need TWO roof units and 50 amp power.

[Dtank]

RustyJC wrote:
I'd highly recommend going north a bit to Flagstaff or Williams for the summer!

Rusty

Excellent recommendation!

Stayed in a Mobile Home Park close to Phoenix in October.
(It had about a dozen RV spaces).

Lots of the full-time residents were just returning from their summer locations in the cooler (AZ) climes.

Lots of So. CA folks RV and/or have vacation homes at "The River" (Colorado River) - Bullhead City, Havasu, etc. - for boating, fishing, etc.

Even with the "fun" aspect, they don't go there -even "temporarily"- in summer..:W

.

[aruba5er]

Az was on my bucket list for the summer. Wife and I went to Yellowstone, Bryce and the North Rim and then left for Yuma to drop our trailer until we came back in January. We stayed 2 days in Yuma and agreed to leave NOW. 113 degrees and the AC could not keep up. The little to non exsistant insulation made the choice must more easy. i did what I wanted and NEVER again, Thank You.

[blkdodge]

This would have been our 4th summer here but thankfully we retired. Headin out Friday to Co.

[laknox]

Wussies! (Says the 3rd generation Chandler native.) 🙂 Seriously, shade is required. So is a 2nd AC unit, whether rooftop or an add-on of some sort. A second rooftop unit will require 50A service.

Later: An add-on of any sort might be better off plugged into the pedestal on a completely separate circuit with a =heavy gauge= extension cord, as short as you can get it.

Lyle

[Me_Again]

Or go up to Show Low with some of the other valley rats! Chris

[GoPackGo]

I am in a 35 ft 5er now in Phoenix. It is now up into the mid 90's (flirting with records every day). I have 2 roof ACs and they're both going. I've also turned the thermostats up because I don't want them to run constantly. I'll be heading out soon.

I've found out 2 things.

My friends that live here (in a house) say it can still be over 100 degrees at midnight in the summer.

In talking with a few people in this resort who live in their 5ers year round here, they say they added a window unit. Not only is it needed, but they are much more efficient then the roof units.

I would either consider moving north to the Flagstaff area, or to the south-east to the Sierra Vista area (Sierra Vista is at about 5,000 ft altitude).

I have seen 5ers under carports here that I know are inhabited. So artificial shade certainly helps.

Tim

[Ryan_Elli1]

I lived in my FW in El Paso for a year. I didn't think it was too bad. I used the awning during the day and did put 1" insulation board with the foil in the windows. I only have one ac and it was not uncomfortable to me. The good thing is I didn't turn on the water heater until about November. Electric was included in the monthly rate so I don't know how it would cost. I would go back to El Paso and live in the FW again. Nights are wonderful.

[Cummins12V98]

Stayed in Indio, CA until July 9 and 113 degrees. That was enough!

[samsontdog]

You could not pay me to stay in Phoenix in a TT in the summer. It is bad enough here in Yuma at 98 degrees in March

[portliz]

What if the air conditioner stopped working? Certainly would need a back up plan!!!!