How big before 2 A/Cs are a must?

[Txsurfer]

Hello All,

Shopping class A gassers and one thing that stick out is that many in the 30-34' range that we are looking at only have 1 ducted AC. We live in Texas and it gets very hot - will one A/C do the job? I assume motor homes have a better insulation value than a similar sized TT?

[MrWizard]

guess the calif market is different

i seldom see anything over 26-28ft with only one a/c

almost everything 30ft up is two a/c on roof

i have had 30ft, 32ft, 34ft, 36ft
all have had (2) a/c

only my first class A 23ft, had (1) a/c

[tropical36]

Txsurfer wrote:
Hello All,

Shopping class A gassers and one thing that stick out is that many in the 30-34' range that we are looking at only have 1 ducted AC. We live in Texas and it gets very hot - will one A/C do the job? I assume motor homes have a better insulation value than a similar sized TT?

No matter the size, having two are the min. requirements IMO.
If one should go out, you still have the other, until you can get it fixed.

[fourmat]

gutfelt wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
I don't think it's all abut the size, I think it's the outside temperature, if you are under shade, if the camper has forced air from the AC only, or ducted, and how well built and sealed the camper is. Lots of factors. But definitely, more space means more BTU's.

hes asking about Class A MH not a camper big difference
34 ft in real hot climates need two AC for sure

That's the answer 1 ac will be fine in cooler climates but Texas in the summer you need 2

[Smitty77]

As mentioned, many variables come into the decision process on how many AC's to run with.

In general, I'm in the camp that more is better. Some factors:

-Color of paint
-Insulation quality of coach
-Quality of windows and window glazing
-Size of coach, and size of window area in relation to coach
-Front windshield heat gain protection (Outside covers, inside covers, curtains.)
-Region and seasons you travel in
-Orientation of the coach to the sun when parked
-Along with orientation, is natural shading for the coach
-Window shading/awnings
-Number of slides, and if they have slide toppers
-Etc.

We have a well built, insulated, window quality, window coverings/awnings/slide toppers Country Coach. It's 40'. Rear cap is and part of the front of the coach, are Dark Maroon, the resist is a light beige color. We have two 15K ducted AC's. 95% of the time, we're fine, and can manage to stay cool in high temps with the two AC's running on low fan. In extremes heat/humidity conditions, even on high, we the units fight to keep the temps in the low to mid 80's. If I had ordered this coach new, I would have worked hard to have had a third 15K AC unit added.

And yes to the sentiment that todays electronic management systems are really awesome!!!

Best to all,
Smitty

[Mile_High]

Mr.Mark wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:

Expyinflight wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Txsurfer wrote:


Are most 50 amp Class A's pre-wired for a second unit? I realize a 30A rig will present challenges.

OP - Txsurfer brings up a good point - those you are looking at with 1 AC may be 30A units, which to me would represent additional inadequacies in my opinion. If you are going to spend the money on a Class A, I personally would make sure it's 2 ACs at least and 50A service.

Yes....x2

Certainly 50 amp would be best but even if it's a 30 amp RV, having two units is nice if one goes out. Many 30 amp RV's have a power management system so that both air units can run.

MM.

I guess I haven't seen 2 ACs on a 30A system, but you're right, the power management system does make that possible so there may be a good selection out there.

In 2005, we rented a 2005 Fleetwood Expedition 50 amp diesel coach and friends rented a 2005 Fleetwood gas coach that had two air units but was 30 amp. I watched the management system rotate power to the air units while the microwave was running.

MM.

Isn't technology cool 🙂 I remember my first TT had s switch on the wall MICRO/AC. You had a choice.

[rgatijnet1]

Some smaller Class A's had the second AC unit as an option. If that is the case for the model that you have, usually it is fairly easy to just remove a roof vent and install the second AC in the same 14x14 hole.

[T_bone1]

Two at least!!!!!!

[Mr_Mark1]

Mile High wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:

Expyinflight wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Txsurfer wrote:


Are most 50 amp Class A's pre-wired for a second unit? I realize a 30A rig will present challenges.

OP - Txsurfer brings up a good point - those you are looking at with 1 AC may be 30A units, which to me would represent additional inadequacies in my opinion. If you are going to spend the money on a Class A, I personally would make sure it's 2 ACs at least and 50A service.

Yes....x2

Certainly 50 amp would be best but even if it's a 30 amp RV, having two units is nice if one goes out. Many 30 amp RV's have a power management system so that both air units can run.

MM.

I guess I haven't seen 2 ACs on a 30A system, but you're right, the power management system does make that possible so there may be a good selection out there.

In 2005, we rented a 2005 Fleetwood Expedition 50 amp diesel coach and friends rented a 2005 Fleetwood gas coach that had two air units but was 30 amp. I watched the management system rotate power to the air units while the microwave was running.

MM.

[Mile_High]

Mr.Mark wrote:

Expyinflight wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Txsurfer wrote:


Are most 50 amp Class A's pre-wired for a second unit? I realize a 30A rig will present challenges.

OP - Txsurfer brings up a good point - those you are looking at with 1 AC may be 30A units, which to me would represent additional inadequacies in my opinion. If you are going to spend the money on a Class A, I personally would make sure it's 2 ACs at least and 50A service.

Yes....x2

Certainly 50 amp would be best but even if it's a 30 amp RV, having two units is nice if one goes out. Many 30 amp RV's have a power management system so that both air units can run.

MM.

I guess I haven't seen 2 ACs on a 30A system, but you're right, the power management system does make that possible so there may be a good selection out there.

[Mr_Mark1]

Expyinflight wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Txsurfer wrote:


Are most 50 amp Class A's pre-wired for a second unit? I realize a 30A rig will present challenges.

OP - Txsurfer brings up a good point - those you are looking at with 1 AC may be 30A units, which to me would represent additional inadequacies in my opinion. If you are going to spend the money on a Class A, I personally would make sure it's 2 ACs at least and 50A service.

Yes....x2

Certainly 50 amp would be best but even if it's a 30 amp RV, having two units is nice if one goes out. Many 30 amp RV's have a power management system so that both air units can run.

MM.

[Expyinflight]

Mile High wrote:

Txsurfer wrote:


Are most 50 amp Class A's pre-wired for a second unit? I realize a 30A rig will present challenges.

OP - Txsurfer brings up a good point - those you are looking at with 1 AC may be 30A units, which to me would represent additional inadequacies in my opinion. If you are going to spend the money on a Class A, I personally would make sure it's 2 ACs at least and 50A service.

Yes....x2

[Mile_High]

Txsurfer wrote:


Are most 50 amp Class A's pre-wired for a second unit? I realize a 30A rig will present challenges.

OP - Txsurfer brings up a good point - those you are looking at with 1 AC may be 30A units, which to me would represent additional inadequacies in my opinion. If you are going to spend the money on a Class A, I personally would make sure it's 2 ACs at least and 50A service.

[10forty2]

ScottG wrote:
All this time I thought I was a camper.

At this level it's called "Glamping." :B

[StuckinTracy]

My rule of thumb on things like this is "It's better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it."