Ducted Air

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Yeah, but the duct won't increase your overall height. The ac unit and vent covers ( if you install them) will still be taller.

I too would love to see a drawing of the duct system. I understood that there is a new "hump" on the roof serving as the duct so you don't lose any interior ceiling height. If the ac unit is mounted on top of the hump, it would increase your overall exterior height.

[Aviator]

That is correct. Roadtech. They had a few on display at Alumapalooza

[Msmoto]

The ducted air allows a bit more headroom due to no A/C hanging down. I suspect the noise issue of pre-2015 units can be mitigated by some clever techniques but the headroom issue would remain. The question is whether the price increase for 2015 wide bodies will be enough so as to allow the used prices of older models to remain steady.

An example is in my unit which with the two A/C's, power porch awning, and basic price increase, is nearly $10,000 more than a 2014 with one A/C and standard awning.

My conclusion is the used prices will remain stable for 2014 and older units, although there may be some transient cuts from dealers in units in stock.

[rodsterinfl]

Here is a video on the 2015. It gives a quick view of the roof. I see seams with caulk.

2015 Airstream Model Year Improvements - Flying Cloud - YouTube

[overlander63]

Here are a couple of photos of the exterior:

[overlander63]

Okay, trying again...

[Rocinante]

Walked thru a 2015 International 27FB last weekend with a new color scheme. Looks like the Serenity inside, but has a "wood" floor vs. the "woven bamboo" floor. The floor is darker than our 2014 Signature. Cabinets are light, counters are dark. The new ducted air looks very nice indeed. Saw the new See Level monitor panel, nice upgrade there since my Micropulse panel has so far turned out to be a piece of $@#&. New Clarion radio as well. Walked around the outside to determine whether I could see a "hump" on the roof to hold the ductwork. I thought the roof looked a little higher, but not by a lot. It's not an obvious hump from street level.

It is a seriously fine trailer. Not enough to get me to trade in my 2014 just yet. Given the price increases on the 2015, I'm feeling pretty good about the retained value of my 2014 once the dealers finish their annual ritual of blowing out last year's models to make room for the new ones. My dealer doesn't seem to be having any trouble with that process, btw. His lot had more than the usual amount of open space on it as he sells out the 2014's and waits for more of the 2015s to show up.

The service side of the lot, on the other hand, was packed. Lots of folks coming in for service this time of year...including me for more warranty work. My inverter has been imposible to reliably start up (spins up & then shuts down), my micropulse tank monitors still don't work right (ha!) and the front storage door needs another adjustment so that it closes/opens smoothly and still keeps water out when we drive thru the rain. The storage door keeps things dry now after their previous adjustment, but it can be a %&@!# to open and close unless I spray the edge of it with corrosion X. I should probably do that anyway, but I want them to do things right. A properly adjusted door should not be too much to ask, especially on an AS. (Sorry for the off-topic rant.)

[GAStreamin]

I actually like the noise of AC, since I am a light sleeper. The noise drowns out the outside noise and those inside snoring.😏

[aftermath]

I just looked at one at the Airstream dealer in Spokane, WA. From the outside, the "hump" is not really that noticeable. On the inside, the raised outside shows up when you look at the skylight and the Fantastic Fan. These are now recessed in a shaft not unlike what you would see in a house with a skylight.

The ceiling has some circular outlets and a couple of rectangular intake vents. The cooling vents are completely open with only a mesh wire screen. There is no way to close off or redirect the flow of cool air. A couple of these vents sit right above the dining table in the 25FB I looked at which could cause an issue for some.

I did not look in the bathroom or shower but now wonder what the exhaust fans would look like. Getting the handle off of these fans to service the switches is hard enough right now. I hope they redesigned things to account for the recess needed to accommodate the raised roof.

[rodsterinfl]

I do not believe this will impact used pricing except for the newer models. Those that own 1-3 year old units- plan on keeping them for a while and enjoy them. As the price gap from new to used increases via new pricing increases AND depreciation, it will work out.

What we need are some halfway decent readings on dB levels just to compare. Those that have a sound level meter can play along. This will not be totally accurate if we share using different measuring units but curiosity can be the motivator. I will take measurements with my unit 1)on the floor directly below the unit, 2) at the front window edge (on dinette, nightstand or bed headrest area or on couch back), and 3) in the rear at the window bottom on whatever.

anyone have access to a ducted model with running ac?

Actually, It would also be interesting to know which models, coleman, domestic, etc. non-ducted are quieter. I will post my results soon.

[Roadtech]

I wonder how many of us that bought 2014 models would have waited for the 2015's with ducted air had we known it was coming? I know I would have waited.

[lsbrodsky]

I bought used a year ago and still appreciate the value that I got on a 2012. Had I known ducted air was in the works I might have held off a year and bought a 2015, even with the financial penalty.
But, with cars, boats, RV's and other expensive toys you can always chase the new stuff, as the manufacturers want you to do, or you can make a decision and just live with it. Shoot, Airstreams have had non-ducted air for decades so a lot of us can live with it.
Larry

[kscherzi]

I accept my non-ducted AC for what it is, emergency cooling. Prefer to camp where AC isn't required or possible by avoiding RV parks with hookups anyway. I do envy the SeeLevel tank monitor. The micropulse system isn't even in the ballpark. Oh well, since I'm not made of money I plan on keeping what I have for a long time.

[PharmGeek]

I must have fan noise to sleep at night - silence and various intermittent noise wakes me up

I grew up in mountains of SW Virginia (Tazewell) - and had a fan in window most of my life - and so it is of no great importance to me especially for the price hike

If I had know about the ducted air I still would rather not wait as I would not be camping right NOW in the mountains of GA

Also - let other be the Ginny pigs first

And that is my rationalization and ima sticking to it

[PharmGeek]

Micro pulse monitor does suck - bad

[Goal15]

I thought you're supposed to be having a relaxing weekend with the Mrs. What are you doing on Forums

[PharmGeek]

She is napping - I cannot nap - throws off my sleep cycle - I am just sitting in my chair listening to the creek - birds - relaxing - and chatting a tad on here

[Goal15]

Okay. You earn a pass lol. Sitting here watching World Cup perfect world would be camping AND World Cup. Maybe in 2018

[rodsterinfl]

OK, just walked in the door. I took readings with my trusty Radio Shack sound meter 33-2050. Settings weighting A, Response Slow. set at 60dB starting point. My "emergency cooling unit" running:

Front Lounge area meter on top of sofa back facing center- 62dB
Center directly below AC unit on floor - 62dB
Rear Bedroom area nightstand center back to edge facing center- 61dB

Guinea pig! A school friend of mine was named Ginny (pronounced Jenny, like Gin, or Jeanie) Lucky Dog. Mountains and a few weeks ago beach. Geez. Enjoy.

[PharmGeek]

Sounds like it works excellent -

Ginny autocorrect lol