? Winnebago Air Conditioner

[dcmac214]

Looking at several Class A gas brands/models and wondering if one air conditioner is adequate, especially here in the Southwest. FWIW Winnebago mid-30 footers are at the top of out list right now.

We've got a 40' toy hauler and our first trip made it most abundantly clear we needed two AC units.

[Rocky2]

Something to consider if you are looking at a Winnebago. If you want 2 ac's, you will want the upgraded 50 amp electrical package. This package is well worth it in my opinion. I have the Vista LX 30T and use both ac's frequently, turning off the bedroom one once the unit has cooled off.

[tropical36]

dcmac214 wrote:
Looking at several Class A gas brands/models and wondering if one air conditioner is adequate, especially here in the Southwest. FWIW Winnebago mid-30 footers are at the top of out list right now.

We've got a 40' toy hauler and our first trip made it most abundantly clear we needed two AC units.

You always need two and if for no other reason, if one should go out, you always have backup until you can get a reasonable replacement.

[afrescopXx]

Our former RV, a 35'Itasca Sunstar, had two 13,500 BTU roof a/c heat pumps. We NEVER had a heat issue not matter the outside temperature whether in the South Texas, Arizona or Georgia heat/humidity. I would keep both units on during the day and set at a comfortable 77 degrees. At night I would run only the bedroom a/c set at 73 degrees. We slept comfortably at night. Whether one or both ran they would cycle on and off per the thermostat setting. We always kept the windshield covered with an inexpensive sun shade. Our coach had MCI duo roller shades and thermopane windows. We kept the day sunscreen shades down. They did a credible job keeping the heat out while permitting the light in.
Prior to owning the MH we owned a 35' fifth wheel with one a/c. That a/c struggled in the heat but kept us cool at night. Nothing like the two heat pumps in the motorhome.

[olfarmer]

While I would prefer 2 our 30' Winnebago only has one ducted AC and we have not had any trouble keeping cool. However, we have not camped in much 100+ degree temps. I would think in the south in the summer 2 would be much better. On the road our dash AC will usually keep us cool but last year in S.D. I ran both the dash and the roof AC as it was pretty hot. We didn't have any trouble while camped with only the one roof AC.

[way2roll]

Our first class A was a 30a with one AC. Never again. so often, especially on the road travelling during hot days the one AC simply could not keep up. Add to that - it ran constantly. you need 2 at a minimum.

[1995brave]

My old 31 foot Winnebago had two air conditioners but only 30 amp service. Never had problems keeping cool down at the coast(Corpus Christi) in 80-100 degree weather with very high humidity. Ours was not ducted so in the day time I ran the bedroom a/c and pointed the duct to the front, at night ran the front a/c and pointed the duct to the bedroom. It did not cool the rv to 60 degrees, but kept the temp around 76-78 degrees during the day and a little cooler at night. We keep our home at 77, our old bones don't like the cold anymore.

[slider45]

garyemunson wrote:
2 A/Cs are nice at night...run the BR A/C until you go to bed then the living room one after. Much quieter that way. They share the same ductwork so you keep cool with the noise staying at the other end of the coach.

This will be the best set up to keep the noise low.

[T18skyguy]

There is an industry standard(widely ignored), which is any rig 27 foot and over needs two ac units. Some of the larger one's even have three.

[scbwr]

I have two on our 34' Newmar and I wouldn't want to have only one. When researching motorhomes, I had the same question and my research on the internet led me to conclude that anything we would buy would have two ac units. And, as mentioned above, having two gives the option of reducing sound by running the one you are farthest from.

[wa8yxm]

rk911 wrote:
two, definitely two.

FOr a pick up mounted camper One might do
For anyting over 20 feet Two is a mUST and a light color paint job

I have a dark 38 foot two 15000 BTU and hit 90 in the summer in Michigan. inside more often than I care to admit.

[mbrooking]

Our old winnebago had a basement AC that was one unit, but two separate compressors - so essentially two AC units. Still we had a hard time cooling our 40' Journey.

[STBRetired]

We're 38 ft and with 2 A/Cs we can maintain 70 degrees at 95 and humid outside. A friend who often travels with us has a 31 ft MH with one A/C. It starts falling behind when it reaches the mid 80s. Being in the Southwest, you definitely need 2 A/Cs.

[garyemunson]

2 A/Cs are nice at night...run the BR A/C until you go to bed then the living room one after. Much quieter that way. They share the same ductwork so you keep cool with the noise staying at the other end of the coach.

[rk911]

tragusa3 wrote:
We're at 35' and find that even with two, we better get a head start on the day. Playing catch up with the A/C can be hard.

yup. the OP will likely need a external windshield sunscreen to keep the windshield from heating up and acting like a radiator.

other helpful hints...close the slides on REALLY hot days; 1 or 2 floor fans to move air around; starting the AC early; keeping the AC filters clean