How good is the AC?

[ITSNO60]

Looking at buying a Flying Cloud and during my research I have done some reading on the SOB forums. Some people report that Airstreams are not particularly good in temperature extremes. I am not worried about the cold but how good is the AC? Some of our travels will be in desert temperatures and we want to know that the unit will cool down fairly well after being on the road.

[LilBigfoot]

I'm in Canada with a 2016 26U and one AC unit is enough to keep us comfortable. If I was in the southern US very often, I'd say 2 AC units on the roof would be a must. The ducted air on AS's is great.

[CRH]

If buying new, get two on anything 25ft and up.

[cwf]

If you only have ONE AC, do not come to Texas... anytime.. the weather will NOT cooperate.

Our 34 had one. Absolutely unacceptable above 60 degrees F. If you fire up a
Burner.

I cut hole in roof and installed a second one (and upgraded to 50 AMP with built in surge protector)... In 106 degree heat in Texas this week, with 3 granddaughters my wife and I, with awnings deployed, temp got to 83F in front... the rear bedroom where 2nd AC was, I could hold 68-70F.. of course there were no swinging doors as the front had as kids constantly moved to and fro.

My wife doesn't handle heat ... at all

Get 2. You should have enough cooling... usually

[switz]

Our 2015 23D has a single 13,500 BTU AC unit. It ran continuously today in 94 degree heat in northeast Arizona at 6,850 feet. It was able to maintain 78 degrees.

We built our 2014 31' Classic with the second air conditioner and 50 amp service option. That is the best arrangement for the desert Southwest.

We went to the Farmington International Rally and had only 30 amp service, so we had to run the unit at the end of the trailer where we were in the trailer. We were lucky to get 80 degrees as it was close to or over 100 degrees outside.

We found having the full awning set: curb side, rear and street side, makes a big difference on how cool the trailer is. Also, the street side awning shades the refrigerator space on both the 23D and the Classic which helps the refrigerator keep the contents cold.

[ITSNO60]

We are looking at 23-25 footers. We don't like it much over about 76 degrees. I didn't notice if the lengths we are looking at come with an additional roof vent for a second AC. Channing so you have one ducted and one not ducted?

[switz]

On the 25' and longer models, a second air conditioner is installed in the opening for the rear fantastic fan. On our 23D, only one air conditioner unit is possible, so we have two MaxxFans

[cazual6]

My FC19 on the California Desert (Mojave) tackles it fine.

Just make sure the filters are clean.

[dames7]

We have only one and works great in high heat, when its 100 outside, its time to get out of AZ to cooler places, but it will keep the AS at 74 to 76 no problems.

This is why we bought the AS to go place where we can spend the hot months out of AZ.

[OSCS]

I'm in Savannah right now and 1 AC seems to be doing ok. It's holding at 85 in my trailer.

[2fromtexas]

Commented today under road trip Father's Day. See post. Eagle Pass Texas this Sunday. 107 degrees could only get to 90 degrees inside. Four hours to get there-stayed a few hours in the car with the dog. Gave up and drove 4 hours back home. 23D Flying Cloud. Poor Dad's Father's Day did not go so well.

[ldireland]

My lovely wife and I just returned from a trip through Arizona, Texas, Oklshoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana and circled back to California. We own a 30' Classic with one air conditioner and we were comfortable eveeywhere we went. The bedroom area stays a bit warmer during the day but st night cools nicely. Unless you stay in the high cost resorts, 50 amp service is not the norm. I suppose it all depends on where you stay if you get the power to rev up to 50 amp.

[dznf0g]

Unless an RV is specifically built as a 4 season RV, none are really good in the extremes. I, frankly, can tell no difference in A/C performance between my AS and my old SOB with a white rubber roof and very light gray exterior. Others may disagree...and I don't live in Texas.

Edit: And I have one 13.5K Penguin in my 30' AS.

[2fromtexas]

Forgot to mention we were in a casino rv park which was a cement parking lot with no trees, but with all hookups. Went to Palo Duro Canyon last year at 100 degrees 80-85 degrees daytime and nice at night.

[Gneiss Guy]

As one who lives in the SE and often heads wet in summer, I concur with those who recommend twin ACs for anything 25' or longer. We had a 25 with one AC and constantly fought the heat. We even traveled with aluminum-coated bubble wrap in all windows, in an attempt to keep the heat from building. We now have a 30' with two ACs and it keeps the rig habitable under all the conditions we have encountered thus far. It's cheaper to get the second AC when new than to add it later on.

Richard

[Doc Foster]

Originally Posted by CRH

If buying new, get two on anything 25ft and up.

Absolutely! My 2 A/C's kept my 30 footer chilly inside with temperatures 100+ and sunny in NM and AZ last summer. The ducted Air definitely helps a lot.
Had a 25' with only one A/C and the back bedroom was miserable while in the desert.

[ITSNO60]

hmmmmm I wonder if I can order a 23 with the 15,000 BTU unit

[ITSNO60]

One thing I do know about HVAC is if you can get everything cooled down early in the morning it will hold all day much better than trying to cool down after everything has gotten warm. That could explain some of the differences people are reporting.

[guskmg]

I have camped for extended periods in temperatures 110 down to 8 for extended periods of time. The answer is have all the A/C and heat you can get. Be sure to pre-cool or pre-heat as necessary. Keep plenty of propane and have a good source located nearby. Watch your level closely when it is cold. And, if you are running your genny for A/C. When it is cold use onboard water. Refill and dump when the temperature is above freezing.
guskmg

[Rfriebele]

We just got a new 25ft FC with one A.C.. Camped several days in high 90's high humidity and although it ran constantly during the day, it kept us at a comfy 70-72 inside...must shade all windows and skylights and extend the awnings too...that said, I would have gotten 2 ACs if I had known it's sized that way...too much is better than not enough.