13.5 vs 15k A/C

[wowens79]

Well we sold out Pop Up last night, in less than 24 hours, for $1000 less than we paid for it 9 years ago!! Best $6k I ever spent!, now we are in the hunt for a TT.

We are looking at about a 28ft box with bunks, not the bunkhouse, just a little smaller. Would only a 13.5k A/C be a deal breaker?? We live in GA, so A/C is very important. Price difference is minor, but some we've seen only have a 13.5. Will that keep it comfortable in the heat down here?? We are looking at fiberglass sided campers that are supposed to be better insulated, but not sure it that is just sales hype.

Thanks for any advice, I'm probably gonna have a lot of questions coming up.

[dadmomh]

Agree on the 15K. Our HTT had a 13.5 and was great with one exception....camping in Vicksburg, MS in July and the only shade tree was sorta within sight. Miserable until after sundown. When we made the change to our 26' box TT, it came with a 15K. Never had a problem in TN, GA, trip to CO in July....always very comfy with or without shade. Obviously, shade is a help in either case, but I would not go with the 13.5 in our toasty/HUMID south. Yes, include the upgrade as part of your offer. Good luck and stay cool.

[CavemanCharlie]

Depends on the brand name of the manufacture of the AC. Some of them work better then others.

[RavensFan24]

We have a 15k in our 30' trailer and in Florida heat it gets nice and cool, but still runs a lot. We're wired for a 2nd AC unit in the Bedroom and I'm thinking of adding one if we end up doing a lot more travel after we sell our house. It does the trick, but when it cycles off the bedroom starts to heat up and I think having two will help them both run better without working so hard.

I'd definitely go for the 15k.

[m_2_ak]

Go with the 15k. Don't have regrets later.

[wowens79]

Thanks for the info, I won't rule one out for having the 13.5, but will use it to negotiate. One dealer I talked with today told me they only order the 15k because of the small difference in price, and the heat in the south.

[hohenwald48]

What's cool enough is a pretty subjective opinion. My sister keeps her house at 80 and thinks it's just fine. Anything over 68 I consider to be hot. With the 15K you simply have to adjust the thermostat if it's too cold. If the 13.5 is too warm that's too bad. I'd go with the 15K. The cost difference is chicken feed.

[fla-gypsy]

My 30' TT has a single 13.5k and it is sufficient and I camp mostly in Florida in the summer. The trick is to have some shade and do some minor mods to prevent heat gain. The cooling capacity difference in the two is not that much but would be preferred if available. Better yet would be a 50A TT with 2 AC units but it is not a deal breaker in my estimation.

[MWJones]

After reaching a final price agreement, tell dealer that you are ready to close the deal IF he will change out the 13.5 for a 15k. Be ready to walk if he declines with last words - call me if you change your mind.
Don't settle for a 13.5k. You will regret it.

[APT]

13.5k is probably enough for some better insulated/sealed RVs, but not for all. Unfortunately, it is difficult to know how well any model/brand is insulated compared to others.

[Community Alumni]

I wouldn't let a 13.5k be a deal breaker. Sometimes you fall in love with a floorplan or getting a really good deal on a trailer that only has a 13.5k option. If you're planning on sticking with shaded sites then the 13.5k can be tolerable even in the dead of summer. It all depends on your comfort level requirements really.

Remember you can always swap out the stock unit for the 15k down the road. A new 15k can be had for $650 or less. Right now you can get a 15k Brisk Air II for $499. So take that into account before you walk away from something.

[ford_truck_guy]

we had 2 TT's that came with 13.5's ( 1 @ 29' - 1 @ 32')... both seamed to work fine , till it was time to replace them.. Went up to the 15k both times.. YES , there is a difference...

deal breaker - ???? for me , probably not , as a lot of my camping is in the North East... But if ordering a new one , without a doubt

[jrichard]

I've had both in 28' boxes. Different trailers, so the comparison isn't entirely accurate, but FWIW, the 15k provides noticeably more cooling...not enough that the 13.5 would be a deal breaker, but I'd certainly take 15k if I could get it. Between the two, the 13.5 could generally maintain a 20-21 degree differential to the outside temp with the typical use in the trailer. The 15 maintains a 25 degree differential. The 15k difference was enough that I ordered the trailer just to get it (instead of taking an otherwise identical one off the lot).

[DutchmenSport]

We had a 31 foot Springdale TT that had one single 13,500 AC (ducted air). The camper was open, no walls, except for the bathroom, from end to end. We traveled from Florida to Minnesota and never had problems with the AC not able to keep things cool enough to be comfortable.

When we traded and got the Outback 35 foot TT with walled bed room and separate walled bathroom, it came with a 13, 500 AC ducted air also. When outside temps were below 90 and we could start the air in the morning, it did well. Over 90 or trying to cool it down after traveling all day, it just couldn't keep up.

Last Summer we swapped over for a 15,000. Same TT, same weather conditions, and a BIG difference! Over 90 and we chilling inside now. Best choice we could have done.

Considering you are in a climate prone for longer hotter days than us Northerners are... well, let me just say; I know you will NOT be disappointed if you get the 15,000. But you might be if you settle for the 13,500. Considering where you live, I'd settle on only the 15,000 after my personal experiences now.

Edit: I'm experiencing finger "fart" today. I can't type numbers today worth squat! ARRR!.

[Nosedive]

Being that your in the south, I would make the 15K a priority. Our old 32' (28' box)had a 15K and even with it, during a hot Texas summer day in full sun the temps would get up to 78+.