Jayco Eagle 284BHBE - second AC?

[ecksdude]

Hello all, another newb question:

I'm looking at purchasing a Jayco Eagle 284BHBE. This trailer is ~34 feet long and comes with a 13.5K A/C.

What I want to know is this: I assume the stock 13.5K BTU A/C is not optimal, and therefore am getting it upgraded to 15K BTU. That said, there is a factory option for 50A service and a second ducted A/C in the bedroom.

Anyone with experience with Eagle trailers, is it worth it to wait the 3 months for the build and get a trailer with 50A and the second A/C, or will the 15K BTU A/C be enough for the whole trailer?

I expect we will be spending some very hot days inside the trailer and I'm the type of person who's very picky about the indoor temp being 73 or below.

I just don't know how effective the 15K BTU is going to be to cool the whole trailer on, say a 110 degree day?

Opinions? My previous experience has been in a 25 foot trailer with a 13.5K unit that we lived in for 6 weeks a couple of years ago... I thought that was alright (if noisy) even in the Oklahoma heat, but it was a MUCH smaller trailer.

[ecksdude]

Well, after hearing all of your replies, it sounds like the better option would be to order the trailer rather than picking one off the lot.

I've yet to see this model (or any Eagle's really) new on the lot with 50A service.

Thanks for the replies. This forum is awesome!

[APT]

If you decide to order, just get the 2nd AC. It's by far cheaper from the factory than adding later, even with the "prep package". $700 with 30% discount or $700 retail + labor, yours or a service place.

[BillB800si]

Here's a thought.
Buy the unit with the "50 Amp and 2nd A.C. Prep.Option" (without the actual 2nd AC unit installed). Then you will have the option to later install the 2nd AC if needed. The bedroom will have the 120 Volt wired and reinforced for the AC if needed.

This is the way we ordered our last 2 trailers. Oh, it's nice to have the 50 Amp available if you need it.

Happy trails.

[jasoncw]

I was told the current wait for an ordered trailer from Jayco is 6-8 weeks, not 3 months, if that helps. 🙂

[Walaby]

I would definitely think seriously about both the 15K upgrade, and the 50 Amp upgrade. Not sure if I would worry about the dual A/C. As a point of reference, I don't have the Eagle, but I have a Tracer 2640RLS.

It has factory upgraded 15K A/C, and thus far, it's been enough in the Georgia summer. I leave the fan running and the A/C cycles on and off, keeping the trailer pretty much at 72 where I want it.

I wish I had 50 AMP in my TT. A friend was having breaker problems with his 30 amp service and he bought a box to measure amp draw. He measured A/C, Elec HW heater, and Fridge, and those three exceeded 30 Amps on his trailer. I borrowed the box, and measured mine. Im better, but my 15K A/C used 12.5 amps, my HW heater (on electric) uses 12. Fridge took 2.5 and microwave took 8.3. So, with A/C running, and my HW heater on elec, and fridge on electric, if I use the microwave, Im over. Microwave took 8.3. by the way. With the first three, Im already at 27 AMPs. I don't like being that close, so I will likely run HW heater on propane.

So, I think, given the option, I would definitely go 15K A/C and 50 Amp upgrade.
I wish the manufacturer would have thought about doing a 50 Amp upgrade with the 15K A/C upgrade in the factory.

Mike

[APT]

I have a very similar floorplan with 13.5k BTU AC. Shallower slide, but I suspect the Eagle has better insulation. We have never has a problem with keeping it cool, 70 degrees inside when the doors stay closed. I'd get the 15k next time, but I can't imagine dual AC is necessary unless you lived in a southern state. Single 15K is all my friend has with a 38' 5th wheel.