Would you go with 2nd AC?

[tommyznr]

We have an option to buy a Grand Design Reflection 295RL with or without a 2nd AC in the front bedroom for the same price.

We often camp without electricity and were originally thinking that the vent in the bedroom plus the cross ventilation with two windows will be great when we are not hooked up. I am concerned that losing the vent in the bedroom will reduce our circulation too much.

However, sometimes we do have electricity and now I am concerned that the bedroom will be warm with only one AC in the main living space.

Anybody have any thoughts on what they would do in this situation with the same camping style?

[2edgesword]

If money is no object get the second unit. If money is a consideration then a huge part of the decision will be whether the unit is already set up with 50 amp service or will have to be rewired for 50 amp which will also mean a new converter (I was quote $2K ~ $2.5K for a conversion).

[Merrykalia]

We have had a fifth wheel with two AC units and one with one AC unit. I much prefer the two AC units because I like it cool when I sleep. My body still produces too much warmth and it's awful to have to go to the living room in the middle of the night and stand under a vent just to cool down.

That being said, we camp in the mid-Atlantic or South for most all of the summer. It is usually still hot/humid at 10 pm or later and we NEED the 2nd AC. When we went north into Maine, I did not use the AC at night at all. It got down into the mid-60s and I had the windows open with the night air blowing through it. It was wonderful!

The 2nd AC unit does make the bedroom not only darker, but harder to cool down if the AC unit is not on. With our fan, it had a white cover that allowed light to illuminate the bedroom in the mornings (sometimes too much) and with the 2nd AC, there is none of that ambient light getting into the bedroom. Our windows, the two by each side of the bed and one on the entry side do not give us much ventilation. For those times when the 2nd air is not needed, I have a small fan that hooks with a clamp to my bedside table and blows air on me.

I guess most of this will be be whether or not you will use it with where you camp. If you do not plan to head south to the hot/humid areas, then go with only one. If you have plans to head south at any time, get the 2nd AC. If you are worried about resale value, get the 2nd. Even if the things costs the same whether you have the 2nd AC, you may regret having it to block the light and not having a fan.

If you can get both the fan, plus the 2nd AC....go for it!

[2012Coleman]

ksbowman wrote:
We have 2 in our 303rls. When it is really hot we run both to cool everything down then before bed we only run the down stairs unit. It is ducted to the bedroom and is very quiet that way and plenty cool for us.

X2 I also have the front bedroom fan in my 303RLS. It is needed in the summer, but otherwise the two vents from the rear cool the space just fine. You may or may not need it in Wisconsin, but don't you think the side windows would provide ventilation? No one ever looked at it and told me it was ugly, and it isn't any higher that the one in the rear.

[djousma]

Go with 2. No one ever complained about too much AC when needed, but sure complain about not enough. We went with three in our Cardinal.

[WTP-GC]

I'm in FL and have a similar size GD 5er. We're adding the 2nd A/C before the summer simply because it's difficult for the one unit to keep up on those 90+ degree days. But we always camp with electricity and do most of our camping in the south.

So in Wisconsin, I can't profess to know the climate, but if frequently camping without electricity hookup and staying mostly in the north...I honestly can't see the reason to have the 2nd A/C. I would prefer the vent.

You say it's the same price, but how can that be in reality? Are the units 100% identical? For our GD, there are different layouts and features within our same model number. Is the dealer having trouble moving the rig with the 2nd A/C? Perhaps you could negotiate a lower price on the single A/C unit. Also, what type of unit is installed in the bedroom? If it's not a low-profile unit, it'll look like a giant tumor sitting up there and increase your overall height quite a bit. I saw one recently on the GD FB page where the new owners had a 2nd A/C added up front and it was a full-size exterior unit...talk about UGLY!

[dpglifestyle]

Ours had the option to have a vent and the 2nd air in the bedroom. Friends of ours have both and it is the best of both worlds. Whole lot cheaper to add a vent then a second air conditioner later.

[twodownzero]

No doubt I'd want the second ac. The vent will not be missed.

[Edd505]

I wouldn't be with out two. Just because you have them does not mean you have to use them. Plus it could help in resale later.

[time2roll]

I would get two air units.

Off-grid? Open a window to let air in and use the bathroom Fantastic Fan (or equivalent) to push the air out.

[Acampingwewillg]

I was also going to say ….get two AC's. I was just over on PPL's site, they have a 25' Airstream with two airs(15,000 btu) on top...that would be my kind of trailer if I were to go back to a bumper pull.

[jaycocamprs]

tommyznr wrote:
We have an option to buy a Grand Design Reflection 295RL with or without a 2nd AC in the front bedroom for the same price.

We often camp without electricity and were originally thinking that the vent in the bedroom plus the cross ventilation with two windows will be great when we are not hooked up. I am concerned that losing the vent in the bedroom will reduce our circulation too much.

However, sometimes we do have electricity and now I am concerned that the bedroom will be warm with only one AC in the main living space.

Anybody have any thoughts on what they would do in this situation with the same camping style?

If you camp in 90+ temps without shade, I don't think you'll be happy with 1 AC. Down here 2 AC's are a must, even if you don't use the 2nd one often. The power vent in the kitchen will pull a lot of air thru the bedroom, but that takes juice. I'd have to dry camp a whole lot to give up the front AC.

[pinesman]

I am taking a different approach. I have gotten to where I prefer camping where there are no hookups. I have never had the second ac and managed just fine in humid Virginia in hot temperatures with one ducted ac. Since you appear to be in Wisconsin, I would go with no second ac and put a fan in the vent. The second ac might be worth more financially, but which is worth more to you the way you camp?

[ksbowman]

We have 2 in our 303rls. When it is really hot we run both to cool everything down then before bed we only run the down stairs unit. It is ducted to the bedroom and is very quiet that way and plenty cool for us.

[Lantley]

No Brainer go with 2. 1 unit cannot cool fast enough on hot days

[BB_TX]

One A/C will adequately cool the whole 5er, as long as the outside temp is around 90 degrees or lower. Living in Texas and camping mostly in the warm/hot south, we run both our A/Cs when we stop after a hot day traveling. But after the 5er cools down well in the evening, we turn off the bedroom A/C and likely will not turn it back on during the stay unless outside temps are really hot. The rear 15k ducted A/C keeps it cool even in 90+ degree days. But even if I routinely camped in cooler climates I would still get the second A/C just in case.