Ducted Air

[subfan1]

I agree with you Hony, I think Airstream took the least expensive route because the segments should have been redesigned to avoid that hump.


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[Rocinante]

So, we're looking at the first AS model year with ducted air. This change seems a very good "about time" idea, and it will be interesting to see in ensuing years whether they more gracefully incorporate ducted air into the roof / end cap design.

[LaBigDogs]

Even Leave part of the "hump" of the end cap silver, it would almost vanish, I may have to remove a few inches of white paint....

[Msmoto]

Regarding the "hump", what would we have to talk about if they made it fully integrated. Seriously, however, I have no issue with this as I suspect being able to do the main "monocoque" the same on most models is a production technique which utilizes current jigs, whereas to change this may require immense production costs.

The lack of duct baffles to fully separate the zones is interesting, but allows good cooling/heating in the bedroom while running the front unit. Almost inaudible in my experience when set this way.

I suspect, if I had know of the more efficient set up, improved insulation in the roof, etc., I may have opted for a single unit and the 30 Amp service. While not an impossible task, moving the 50 Amp electrical cord is a pain in the tail, IMO. And, i am going to start a new thread in a technical section regarding configuring a 30 Amp cord with the 50 Amp plug for the trailer so as to allow me to use a lighter cord when running on my generator.

[dcopps]

I just don't see the "hump" you are talking about. They did a good job making the modification without changing the outside look.

Dan

[Msmoto]

I agree, I do not see any real "hump" and that is why I think they did an excellent job in the design. As one can see from the photo of my unit in my garage, the "hump" is not really visible. Photo taken from about 7 feet off ground.

[lewster]

FYI, on every major RV with decreed roof air units, each A/C flows into a duct system that runs from front to back with no baffles to differentiate the zones.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

[lewster]

That was 'ducted' NOT decreed. Auto correct strikes again!!!!!


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

[Rawn77]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

I agree, I do not see any real "hump" and that is why I think they did an excellent job in the design. As one can see from the photo of my unit in my garage, the "hump" is not really visible. Photo taken from about 7 feet off ground.

I wanna garage too

Sooooooo jealous!!!!

[mefly2]

As I said before, there is an almost imperceptible hump both fore and aft ...

Whew, with all of this hump-ing, I am beginning to get zoned out.

We have only one AC and are glad to have the full length ducting ... the longer 2015 unit we looked at with dual AC units still fed into just one duct and distributed conditioned air throughout the entire trailer. I am not sure why you would want to mix AC cooled air with heated air from the furnace unless for dehumidifying.

We have found that a great deal of moisture and foul smell comes out of our overhead ducts when the heat pump is first turned on the morning following use of the AC. So, in the future, I will continue with fan only for a bit after the AC compressor shuts off.

WE really like the ducted air and would not want to go back ... we have not used the 12v or 110v aux fans even once in the new ducted unit * but used them regularly before ... wanna buy a fan?

[Ted S.]

Does the heat use the ducted air or just the AC? For reference, I have (ordered) the 2015 30' bunkhouse.

That would be sweet if the heat uses it as well.

[Msmoto]

The heat pumps when on shore power use the ducted ceiling vents. The furnace, when dry camping uses the same near floor wall mount vents.

Of course, if the outside temperature approaches 25° F, the use of the heat pumps becomes limited. I believe the manual suggest 12 hours max with the heat pumps at ambient temps of 25° F.

You will love your new Airstream, i am certain.

[PharmGeek]

yeah, I am not impressed with the "hump"...seems pretty much based on the colonial videos as well not even noticeable.

[RVDreamer]

I doubt if Airstream will change this design. The only time the hump is visible is if you are on the roof. Otherwise you can't see it.

Who cares how the roof looks. There are already vent pipes, fan covers, sunlights, antennas, A/C units, solar panels, etc. etc. No one should be bothered by a hump up there.

[mefly2]

It is nice to have two sources of heat for both shore power and away...via the 110VAC heat pump /AC and the propane fueled furnace.

The design is great; hump or not ... whether it is visible to you or offends, is in the eyes of the beholder. There is a hump at each end; but, you can't please everyone. Why would AS need to re-design the entire TT line above 25' just to get rid of the innocuous hump? Lots of speculating by folks that haven't even picked up their 2015 or actually listened to the ducted (or looked at printed sound pressure level comparisons) --- let alone voted with their checkbooks. First it was the sound levels - now the hump ...

If it sounds like I am defending the design (and our choice thereof), you are correct. We really like, like, like the ducted. As my dearly departed Father used to say, don't cheap shot or knock it until you try it!


However, everyone is entitled to present their opinion - all 23 pages so far!

[Ted S.]

Considering I never owned an Airstream before, I wouldn't even know some of them are humpless.

I just think the innovation is really cool.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by ted s.

considering i never owned an airstream before, i wouldn't even know some of them are humpless.

i just think the innovation is really cool.

lol

[Rocinante]

I'm all in favor of ducted air. Saw one at the dealer, thought it was a great improvement. Wish we had it.

Won't be buying one just now.

We've barely broken in our 2014 model, having spent the last 10 months making trips to the dealer to get all the fit & finish warranty issues resolved, some pretty serious. Those were boo-boos and blunders that never should have left the factory. I'm not eager to take *that* project on again for at least a few more years. On the plus side, when we take delivery of our next new AS, our experienced eyes will probably spot so many issues that the dealer will have to keep the trailer on his lot for the first couple of months to fix everything before we're willing to take it home.

Separately, I was idly speculating that given this is the first model year for ducted air, AS may make further improvements (not just changes!) to that feature in model years to come. I certainly wasn't passing judgment on a roof hump or lack thereof.

[Msmoto]

Originally Posted by Silvery Moon

I'm all in favor of ducted air. Saw one at the dealer, thought it was a great improvement. Wish we had it.

Won't be buying one just now.

We've barely broken in our 2014 model, having spent the last 10 months making trips to the dealer to get all the fit & finish warranty issues resolved, some pretty serious. Those were boo-boos and blunders that never should have left the factory. I'm not eager to take *that* project on again for at least a few more years. On the plus side, when we take delivery of our next new AS, our experienced eyes will probably spot so many issues that the dealer will have to keep the trailer on his lot for the first couple of months to fix everything before we're willing to take it home.

Separately, I was idly speculating that given this is the first model year for ducted air, AS may make further improvements (not just changes!) to that feature in model years to come. I certainly wasn't passing judgment on a roof hump or lack thereof.

I wanted to emphasize the issue of fit and finish. I believe there is no final inspection process at Airstream, or if there is, they are using folks who have a poor attitude. I have not been able to get the vents out of the ceiling and in the bedroom on mine the air blows in my face when I am in bed.

BTW, the 27 FB is one of my favorites, and I would have gotten this model again except I wanted the larger water tanks in the 30 footer.

[LaBigDogs]

If you really want your new Stream ZONE Ducted, all one would have to do is pop off the vent where you want it zoned and stuff something in the duct where you cant see it to block the air. Now you have a customizable Zoned system, and the great news is you can change it anytime you like.