13.5 AC versus 15.0 K AC

[TomG2]

Dealer has two travel trailers that are exactly the same except for the air conditioner units. Any disadvantage to the 15.0 k models? Early freezup etc.? Either will be adequate for the trailer as it will be parked under a carport. I have a similar model with the 13.5 unit and it does very well. The 15.0 k model is the same price, so the only question is about efficiency and potential problems.

[TomG2]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I agree with what you said Doug, but I wonder if having 2 13.5s would be more uniform than one 15??????????
did we ever find out what the size of the rV was?
BUMPY

2-13.5's is not an option. Where did that come from? One unit of either size will be adequate under my carport. I am only interested in hearing if there is any advantage/disadvantage to a Dometic 13.5 unit versus a 15.0 model. Power consumption is not a factor as I will be in a RV park with adequate wiring.

[Bumpyroad]

I agree with what you said Doug, but I wonder if having 2 13.5s would be more uniform than one 15??????????
did we ever find out what the size of the rV was?
BUMPY

[dougrainer]

deleted

[Bumpyroad]

TomG2 wrote:
He said the 13.5 was adequate and would do a better job dehumidifying than the 15.0 k units.

are you going to be using it in a very hot dry heat area , S TX , or in a humid swamp, IL?
are the ACs the same (cept for size)? do they both have wall mounted controllers.
If it is a $150 option and you want to buy it from the 13.5 dealer, just tell him you can get the same one elsewhere for the same price with the option so you will give him $150 less and you have a deal. he won't turn that down.
I "assume" the out the door price is the same? no games for a PDI, etc.?

bumpy

[DutchmenSport]

"Apparently nobody agrees with him that the smaller unit is actually preferable? " I think you just answered your own question!

(fyi, I switched out our 13.5 for a 15k in our current 35 foot TT. BIG difference in cold out-put, and NEVER had a freeze up). The bigger unit will run better, put out cold better, will cycle on-and-off which will give time for any ice build-up to melt. The 13.5 will have to work and work and work and work. IT'S the one that will be more likely to freeze up, as the compressor will never shut off. It will constantly run causing the coils to freeze because its trying to work so hard to keep up. This is one situation where bigger REALLY is better!

[TomG2]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Of course the liar (sorry, dealer) selling the 13.5K unit would try to convince you that the 15K unit would be a problem. How is he going to sell you the RV if he says the 15K is better? Dollar for dollar, take the 15K for the same money. 10 percent better is better!

I get what you are saying about the liar, except that neither dealer knows that I am shopping between them. All that I did was ask him why they did not sell the $150 upgraded AC for use in South Texas heat. He said the 13.5 was adequate and would do a better job dehumidifying than the 15.0 k units. Apparently nobody agrees with him that the smaller unit is actually preferable?

[Lwiddis]

Years ago I was earning 10% on my money...:(

[Bill_Satellite]

Of course the liar (sorry, dealer) selling the 13.5K unit would try to convince you that the 15K unit would be a problem. How is he going to sell you the RV if he says the 15K is better? Dollar for dollar, take the 15K for the same money. 10 percent better is better!

[TomG2]

They are identical units at two different dealers. The dealer with the 13.5 is who mentioned the likelihood of the 15.0 experiencing freeze ups even though he does not know I am shopping for either one. I do not like freeze ups. On the other hand, the extra ten percent capacity might be useful sometime. I have always bought into the old "Better not to have a over capacity AC that shuts off all the time".

[Lwiddis]

IMO if you plug in to 15 amp service or have a light duty generator, the 13.5. Otherwise the 15.

[DutchmenSport]

All things being equal, get the one with the 15,000. It will run just fine!

[ford_truck_guy]

I too would do the 15k, as long as it was the same cost... By any chance does it have a heat pump on it?? If so, they are great !!!

[ScottG]

Bumpyroad wrote:
in a house they always say to not overdo on the size of the AC. if too powerful, shuts off occasionally and won't dehumidify. don't know about a RV however.
are the trailers identical except for the AC or just "similar"?
how big a TT are you looking at?
bumpy

The difference between the two sizes is so minor that it doesn't seem to be an issue.
Seems (to me) the biggest difference is the volume of air it moves.

[Bumpyroad]

in a house they always say to not overdo on the size of the AC. if too powerful, shuts off occasionally and won't dehumidify. don't know about a RV however.
are the trailers identical except for the AC or just "similar"?
how big a TT are you looking at?
bumpy

[Atlee]

If it were me, I'd get the TT with the 15k AC.