Do you run your AC when hauling people?

[John Millner]

Interesting comments. I've taken my interstate through the desert with temps around 110 and the whole unit was comfortable, however the rear was a bit warmer. If you add 4 people in back with those temps it would probably be uncomfortable. If you open any window or vent the temp would be intolerable. So I say rent one and try it. I don't see a problem with running the generator and turning on the rear air conditioning unit of the temps get too hot.

[russ240]

In Oklahoma summer heat, dash air on max, genny running and rear air fired up it still only holds the back of the coach to about 80. Not what I call comfortable. If you let the rig sit in the hot sun midday and get heat soaked it will take forever to cool off back there. The 2nd row is fine with just the dash air, but not the "back of the bus".

[73shark]

Originally Posted by russ240

In Oklahoma summer heat, dash air on max, genny running and rear air fired up it still only holds the back of the coach to about 80. Not what I call comfortable. If you let the rig sit in the hot sun midday and get heat soaked it will take forever to cool off back there. The 2nd row is fine with just the dash air, but not the "back of the bus".

Thank you. I was beginning to think I had the only one that suffered from an under-achieving rear A/C. I still believe that there is just no way a 1 ton unit can keep the rear cool when it's over 85* outside and the front on Max recirc.

[paiceman]

We have owned large Motor Homes in the past and traveled extensively. In warm enough weather to need AC we never used the dash AC and always ran the generator and the two roof top AC units. Actually a reason to have a MH such as we had is so when we arrive at a campsite or rest area for lunch our living area is cool. The last one we had was 38' long and when running the generator while driving we used 9/10s a gallon of fuel an hour to power the two roof tops.

I would do it in an Interstate unless there is some issue with them I am not aware of.

[Rosie39j]

Thanks for all the replies. Just as follow-up, we ended up buying a midwest automotive designs day cruiser. I've been an airstreamer, and always will be one at heart, but found a deal on the midwest and felt like it would fit our needs better, hauling kids to baseball and lacrosse tournaments and staying in hotels. We just needed the seats more than the many living features the Interstate does so well. It's got an engine-driven secondary rear air system, which seems to cool the passenger area just fine. I hope to still lurk around here, as you guys are full of great wisdom, even though my sprinter isn't an Airstream. Thanks!

[Rosie39j]

Thanks for all the replies. Just as follow-up, we ended up buying a midwest automotive designs day cruiser. I've been an airstreamer, and always will be one at heart, but found a deal on the midwest and felt like it would fit our needs better, hauling kids to baseball and lacrosse tournaments and staying in hotels. We just needed the seats more than the many living features the Interstate does so well. It's got an engine-driven secondary rear air system, which seems to cool the passenger area just fine. I hope to still lurk around here, as you guys are full of great wisdom, even though my sprinter isn't an Airstream. Thanks!

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Rosie39j

Thanks for all the replies. Just as follow-up, we ended up buying a midwest automotive designs day cruiser. I've been an airstreamer, and always will be one at heart, but found a deal on the midwest and felt like it would fit our needs better, hauling kids to baseball and lacrosse tournaments and staying in hotels. We just needed the seats more than the many living features the Interstate does so well. It's got an engine-driven secondary rear air system, which seems to cool the passenger area just fine. I hope to still lurk around here, as you guys are full of great wisdom, even though my sprinter isn't an Airstream. Thanks!

Thanks for your update as well - sometimes folks ask questions but never post back on how they ultimately resolved their issue, and the rest of us are left hanging.


Point of curiosity for the other posters who have asked on other threads about the issue of lateral couches and seat belts. One poster was considering taking out lounge seating and putting in lateral couches that would convert to a bed and there was discussion about possible loss of seatbelts. Another was thinking about ordering a twin model but wondered whether seatbelts could be included.

Correct me if my memory is in error, but we tentatively concluded that the 3500 Sprinter was too large (in terms of gross weight) to qualify for having lap belts minus shoulder belts, according to the prevailing regulatory framework. My older T1N / 2500 was built with the lap-belt-only option on its lateral couches and I was assuming it was allowable because its gross weight is considerably less than the newer Sprinters.

Well, after Rosie cited this vendor, I took a look at their website because I'd never heard of them. Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing in these screengrabs I've attached? Lap belts minus shoulder belts on lateral couches in 3500 Sprinters.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Rosie39j

Thanks for all the replies. Just as follow-up, we ended up buying a midwest automotive designs day cruiser. I've been an airstreamer, and always will be one at heart, but found a deal on the midwest and felt like it would fit our needs better, hauling kids to baseball and lacrosse tournaments and staying in hotels. We just needed the seats more than the many living features the Interstate does so well. It's got an engine-driven secondary rear air system, which seems to cool the passenger area just fine. I hope to still lurk around here, as you guys are full of great wisdom, even though my sprinter isn't an Airstream. Thanks!

Great choice Rosie! I looked at the MAD models at the Hersey RV show last week. They are very nice vans. I also noted that they use the same propane fill panel as the Airstream Interstates, but the mount it about 4 inches higher so it is not a hazard.

Form your described use you purchased the right model.

Enjoy,


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[Rosie39j]

Thanks. My sprinter dealer told me that the seatbelt issue applies only to make shoulder belts a no-no on lateral seating, but not laps, and another dealer told me that once you get in the 3500 model you don't have any compliance issues ... But who knows.

[Rosie39j]

But I can't take a shower��

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Rosie39j

Thanks. My sprinter dealer told me that the seatbelt issue applies only to make shoulder belts a no-no on lateral seating, but not laps, and another dealer told me that once you get in the 3500 model you don't have any compliance issues ... But who knows.

No shoulder strap on lateral seating is correct according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), to prevent fatal neck injuries in the event of a collision.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

No shoulder strap on lateral seating is correct according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), to prevent fatal neck injuries in the event of a collision.

So lap belts are still legal in all scenarios, then? I thought folks were worried about potentially losing belts altogether - the whole sleeps two, feeds four, seats six issue. Sounds like Interstates could be made to seat six in all configurations, if that is the case.

[73shark]

Some lounge models can seat up to nine.

[GFtex]

Is there a checklist of breakers to close etc. that allows you to run your generator and rear AC while motoring down the road?

[73shark]

The breaker assignment is on the backside of the door under the lounge.

[russ240]

Originally Posted by GFtex

Is there a checklist of breakers to close etc. that allows you to run your generator and rear AC while motoring down the road?

Not sure what your asking, but you don't have to do anything special to run the generator while driving. Just fire it up, turn on the a/c and go.

[joemikeb]

Originally Posted by russ240

Not sure what your asking, but you don't have to do anything special to run the generator while driving. Just fire it up, turn on the a/c and go.

Don't forget to turn on the propane valve before you attempt starting the generator.

[Maryliz]

We just bought the Interstate EXT and have so much learning to do. How do you properly turn on A/C in back when traveling. Step by step please.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Maryliz

We just bought the Interstate EXT and have so much learning to do. How do you properly turn on A/C in back when traveling. Step by step please.

1. Turn on propane (LP) switch on fill panel behind RH rear tires.
2. Start generator, it will take 2 minutes to get full power.
3. Then turn on A/C by switching to COOL mode on thermostat and set temp to desired level.

[TayaraTravel]

Originally Posted by Maryliz

We just bought the Interstate EXT and have so much learning to do. How do you properly turn on A/C in back when traveling. Step by step please.

The generator plus A/C running will be VERY LOUD. Also uses propane fairly fast.

Other strategies not requiring the A/C, depending on temps, the way you use the van, and your passengers' heat sensitivity:

*) Don't let the closed van sit in the sun heating up. When you stop for more than a few minutes, use the ceiling vent fan to keep outside air flowing into the van.

*) Direct the cab A/C vents towards the back, with the A/C fan on high.

*) Drive with the sun shades down, and maybe the night shades too.

*) Give your passengers ice drinks

*) Consider a window treatment on the cab windows to reduce solar heating. We put 3M Crystalline and noted a big difference.