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Old 11-09-2016, 04:51 PM   #1
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Tempe , Arizona
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Question How many AC units for a 25 footer?

Hello again everyone!

I'm looking to purchase a 2017 International Serenity 25FB and it comes standard with one AC unit. Since the 27' version has two AC units, I'm nervous that one AC on the 25 won't keep me cool enough when the temperatures rise.

What are your experiences with a similarly sized trailer in the summer? Should I special order a 2 AC unit to be safe?

(I'm based in Phoenix and don't plan to spend the summers here. However I was in Denver last summer when it hit 99, so I want to make sure I can stay cool.)

Thanks so much!
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Old 11-09-2016, 04:56 PM   #2
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If I lived in Arizona I would consider 50 amps and 2 AC units.
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Old 11-09-2016, 05:24 PM   #3
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I just ordered a FC 26A with 50A 2nd AC. I camp in the Southeast.
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Old 11-09-2016, 05:44 PM   #4
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Single 13500btu keeps my 24` cool in the Alabama heat without issue. If it's 100 outside it can cool the interior to about 75.
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Old 11-09-2016, 06:18 PM   #5
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My 25 had one. It will cool to below 80 inside on a direct sunlight 95 degree day. If I were ordering, I would get two units.
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Old 11-09-2016, 06:45 PM   #6
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Two for sure!

It was one of the major factors for upgrading from our 2012 25FB.
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Old 11-09-2016, 06:57 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWCHIEF View Post
If I lived in Arizona I would consider 50 amps and 2 AC units.
^ This. If I had a do over, I'd order 50 amps and two A/C's. Having said that, we've yet to suffer from the lack of a second unit but it's been close

On a related note, we've tripped our 30 amp breaker a few times so I thought the 50 amp would be great. Then I read that a second A/C gets wired to a separate loop and the other A/C and the rest of the rig is on the same ole 30 amp. So no help preventing breaker trips from A/C, water heater & tea kettle usage
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Old 11-09-2016, 07:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dasams View Post
^ This. If I had a do over, I'd order 50 amps and two A/C's. Having said that, we've yet to suffer from the lack of a second unit but it's been close

On a related note, we've tripped our 30 amp breaker a few times so I thought the 50 amp would be great. Then I read that a second A/C gets wired to a separate loop and the other A/C and the rest of the rig is on the same ole 30 amp. So no help preventing breaker trips from A/C, water heater & tea kettle usage
Not a tea drinker, but I've never wanted a hot liquid if it's that warm out. Have you tried using a stove top unit instead?
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Old 11-09-2016, 07:30 PM   #9
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Two is one. One is none. I'd go with two.
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Old 11-09-2016, 07:48 PM   #10
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Single AC works fine in my 30'. Haven't been out west but mine will hold about 73 degrees in the Florida summer heat. If I push it up to 76 it actually kicks off to keep it at that temp.
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Old 11-10-2016, 07:07 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCal Matt View Post
Not a tea drinker, but I've never wanted a hot liquid if it's that warm out. Have you tried using a stove top unit instead?
We use the tea kettle to boil water and pour it through a single serving coffee filter for a morning cup of joe. Yes we could use the stove top but the tea kettle is so much quicker and that explains the amps.
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Old 11-10-2016, 08:28 AM   #12
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Over the last ten plus years, we have had two 25FB's (a 2005 and a 2015). We have camped in our Airstreams for almost 1,800 nights, and have towed them 160,000 miles all over the country.

Both of our 25FB's have had the single 1,500 btu air conditioning unit. We have experience camping in very hot weather. I will admit that on some occasions, the single air conditioning unit has taken some time to cool the trailer down to a comfortable. Once cooled, it has not trouble keeping up.

This being said, I would not consider putting two air conditioning units on my 25FB for a couple of reasons. First, I don't feel that this upgrade is worth the extra expense. It is also an additional maintenance item. Another reason is that a 50 amp RV power cord weighs a ton. In the past, I have observed campers with 50 amp cords in cooler weather. If it is cold enough, coiling one of these cords is like trying to wind up a 2x4.

This is my opinion only based on my experience, please take it as such.

Brian
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Old 11-10-2016, 11:22 AM   #13
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If 2 is an option, get 2.
Redundancy if one breaks down.
It is more than that, though.
It is so you have a 50 amp trailer.
With 50 amp service, it isn't a/c or microwave, but both.
If nothing else, get 2 a/c units for the upgraded 50 amp electrical service.
After owning a 30 amp trailer with 1 a/c and then a 50 amp trailer with 2 a/c units, I never ever want another 30 amp trailer again.
Also, if one person is always cold and one person is always hot, each can have his/her own section of the trailer to his/her temperature comfort level.
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Old 11-10-2016, 11:57 AM   #14
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We have two ACs in our 27'FB and love them. Please have your dealer let you handle a 50 amp power cord before you decide whether to go one AC or two. Make sure the extra weight and cumbersomeness of the 50 amp cord isn't too much for you. Also take a look at where you are going to store the 50 amp cord to make sure it fits and you can get it into there. Could be a deal breaker. Have fun.
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Old 11-10-2016, 12:07 PM   #15
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...especially when it is cold outside-
The 50 amp cord becomes a heavy, stiff, unruly big black snake.


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Old 11-10-2016, 12:08 PM   #16
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Bet it gets pretty hot:-)

Quote:
Originally Posted by moosetags View Post
Over the last ten plus years, we have had two 25FB's (a 2005 and a 2015). We have camped in our Airstreams for almost 1,800 nights, and have towed them 160,000 miles all over the country.

Both of our 25FB's have had the single 15,000 btu air conditioning unit. We have experience camping in very hot weather. I will admit that on some occasions, the single air conditioning unit has taken some time to cool the trailer down to a comfortable. Once cooled, it has not trouble keeping up.

This being said, I would not consider putting two air conditioning units on my 25FB for a couple of reasons. First, I don't feel that this upgrade is worth the extra expense. It is also an additional maintenance item. Another reason is that a 50 amp RV power cord weighs a ton. In the past, I have observed campers with 50 amp cords in cooler weather. If it is cold enough, coiling one of these cords is like trying to wind up a 2x4.

This is my opinion only based on my experience, please take it as such.

Brian
WITH ONLY 1500 BTU's:-)
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Old 11-10-2016, 01:07 PM   #17
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We have a single 15,000 BTU AC on our 25' 2014. It can be slow to cool the trailer after a summer day on the road, but once cool it can maintain us in comfort.

One consideration not mentioned above concerns the use of AC on generators. Maybe you are a "full hookups only" camper, but we frequently camp in more rustic surroundings. The single AC (even the 15,000 BTU models) will run off our two Honda EU2000s (in parallel). A trailer with 50 amp service and two ACs will run only one AC unit on two 2000 watt generators. A munch larger (heavier... noisier) generator is needed. That may or may not apply to you based on how you plan to camp. If your two AC units are both the smaller 13,500 BTU models and you use generators to power only one unit you could actually wind up with less AC capacity in those circumstances than you would have with a single 15,000 BTU unit.
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Old 11-10-2016, 01:17 PM   #18
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I lived in Los Angeles for over 20 years, & just about died in the summer, especially in Aug & Sept when nights were in the 80s & occasionally 90s. I moved to Seattle, in '86, where summers are in the 70s & occasionally 80s & nights are typically in the 60s.

This summer, my sweetie & I inaugurated our FC 27 by attending the WV rally in June & July. My response was "I can't get the north soon enough. I simply don't do well above 80 --- 70 to 75 is my prime, & Seattle works great for me.

Consequently, if I had it to do over again & were intending to spend any of the summer south of the northern US border, I would be remiss not getting a 2 AC unit. You're from AZ, so I presume that 80 degree weather is no big deal for you. In event event, remember that the AC in an AS will (eventually) bring the interior down 15 to at most 20 degrees from the outside temp. Therefore, if you want, say, 75 in the AS & it's anything above the low 90s, you'll need 2 ACs to do it.
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Old 11-10-2016, 01:19 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BambiTex View Post
WITH ONLY 1500 BTU's:-)
Sorry 'bout that - 15,000

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Old 11-10-2016, 02:25 PM   #20
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We had a 25' Flying Cloud for a few seasons and after spending time in the desert summer sun, we found that one AC just did not cut it. When it was really hot, we could barely get the back bedroom down below 78, even with a fan blowing the air back through the hallway. We upgraded to a 30' International with ducted air w/2 AC's and have never been happier. Even in the desert sun with temps. over 110, we were quite comfortable. It also helps to get the full awning package as well.
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