25 FC--are two ACs necessary, or required, or just a bunch of hot air?

[Wheelbustr]

2018 FC 25 foot owner here. FL based.

My single biggest regret, by far, is not getting one with two ACs. Our Airstream is pretty much useless for almost half the year unless we want it to be 80s inside and not much cooler at night.

I am now looking at options to get a better/stronger AC unit, add a second, or both.

[Ahroc]

It's hot today in the NW. 100-deg in the shade under my trailer. My thermostat is set at 71 and running full bore. My inside temp is 80-deg. Single a/c unit on top of a 2003 25-ft. Info for those that are interested. Ignore the clock, I haven't set it sence I unplugged the trailer last time. Happy Travels!

[Specsalot]

Originally Posted by Belbein

I mean, are they worth the money or does one work fine? (I'm talking about a 25 or 26.) Remember, I'm in the deep South, and it's hot as heck here.

2015 25' FC RB Single Ducted Air - In summer heat (95F) the single runs almost non stop but can keep interior 75F with awnings out.

If you are buying new, I would spend the money because retrofitting a second AC after the fact is an expensive proposition.

The big difference is how quickly the interior temperature 'pulls down'. In summer heat it takes about 45 minutes to reach steady state. You have to be careful about additional electric loads during 'pull down'. We always set up and go for a bike ride or a swim while the camper is pulling down.

There isn't much of a mark up for dual air. Spend the money.

[drboyd]

The easy (and cheap) answer is to reduce the heat coming *into* the trailer.

And the most effective way to do that is by shading the windows - outside, before the heat gets into the trailer.

[PatLee]

It looks, at least, like the humidity levels are nice and low.

[Big Thunder]

Originally Posted by drboyd

The easy (and cheap) answer is to reduce the heat coming *into* the trailer.

And the most effective way to do that is by shading the windows - outside, before the heat gets into the trailer.

There is no way to cool a trailer in 100 degree temperatures by shading it.
At least to any degree of real comfort! Take into account our body heat, humidity,
showers and/or any cooking you might do and it's He-double toothpick!
We have a 25' Flying Cloud with twin air's and would not even consider one a/c.
Anyone purchasing a new AS should consider the twin a//c units only, in MHO!

[lsbrodsky]

Originally Posted by Big Thunder

There is no way to cool a trailer in 100 degree temperatures by shading it.
At least to any degree of real comfort! Take into account our body heat, humidity,
showers and/or any cooking you might do and it's He-double toothpick!
We have a 25' Flying Cloud with twin air's and would not even consider one a/c.
Anyone purchasing a new AS should consider the twin a//c units only, in MHO!

For how many years did people have to suffer with just one A/C in a 25? It wasn't an option when mine was built, although it might have been available with a special order. We are not as tough as we used to be....
Larry

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by Ahroc

It's hot today in the NW. 100-deg in the shade under my trailer. My thermostat is set at 71 and running full bore. My inside temp is 80-deg. Single a/c unit on top of a 2003 25-ft. Info for those that are interested. Ignore the clock, I haven't set it sence I unplugged the trailer last time. Happy Travels!

Curious about your “weather station”. Could you share what it is?

And we have two A/C’s. When it’s hot and you want to be cool you need both of them!

[Ahroc]

Hi. I wasn't complaining about the heat. I was simply providing real information for the 1 or 2 ac debate. My son gifted the weather station to me last year, pics of the box attached.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by Ahroc

Hi. I wasn't complaining about the heat. I was simply providing real information for the 1 or 2 ac debate. My son gifted the weather station to me last year, pics of the box attached.

Thank you for taking the time to post pics of the weather station box. Very helpful!

[Spartanguy]

Originally Posted by Wheelbustr

2018 FC 25 foot owner here. FL based.



My single biggest regret, by far, is not getting one with two ACs.

That’s so interesting to me, my FC 25 with one AC will freeze me out in the desert and on the humid coast.

Is the vent intake mesh clean?
Are the awnings out?
Is the AC being ran continuously as it’s designed to do?
Do people hang out at the door and let hot air in constantly?

I also pretty much close up the shades on sweltering days.

With all that said (and if you’re following the vent discussions), I do have the Gen 1 vents in my 2015 25’.

[Ahroc]

Originally Posted by Ahroc

Hi
I have a 03 25' Safari SS mouse-fir interior (the mouse-fir provides a little insulation), with one factory a/c.
I'm not sure of the a/c specs.
My a/c gives an honest 20-deg delta-t, if its 95 outside it will be 75 inside, if its 100 outside it will be 80 inside.
Good Luck!

It's a hot day in the Pacific Northwest. Just providing real information to my post above. The outdoor sensor hangs under the Airstream in the shade. Air conditioner is running full time at the moment. 20-deg drop with 1 a/c unit.
Happy Travels!

[Ahroc]

A/C's been working hard all day. Looks like 26-deg delta-T. Low humidity does make a difference.
Happy Travels!

[Rgentum]

My experience with my FC 27 is that my one AC will lower the inside temperature by 15-18 degrees. I've never had it do 20 degrees (not to say that others' experience may be different). So if I don't want the inside to go above 75, I need the outside not to exceed 90 (or maybe slightly more) or I need to get a 2nd AC.

[ZOZ]

I'd rather have one AC and two fantastic fans than two ACs and one fantastic fan. Two fantastics will really move the air so you may not need two ACs.

Additionally, I have been to campgrounds which did not have 50-amp service to run two ACs simultaneously.

If you get two ACs, have both on soft starters.

zoz

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by ZOZ

I'd rather have one AC and two fantastic fans than two ACs and one fantastic fan. Two fantastics will really move the air so you may not need two ACs.

Additionally, I have been to campgrounds which did not have 50-amp service to run two ACs simultaneously.

If you get two ACs, have both on soft starters.

zoz

I think there is not one right answer to one versus two AC’s. Each person decides what works best for them. Having had a one AC with two Fantastic Fans, I did not want to give up that second fan for one more AC. I would contend that the awning package is a must for all trailers; regardless to one or two AC’s.

[twbucksr]

If you live in South Texas the saying is….”It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!” Or if you live in Arizona….”Yeah it’s hot, but it’s dry heat!”

Having spent a career designing and selling a/c systems in commercial buildings all over the United States I can tell you that it takes a lot more BTU’s to remove the moisture than it does the heat.

The data Ahroc provides proves that if you plan on camping exclusively in arid climates you can get by with one a/c unit.

[KCurtis]

My house in Colorado is twice the size of my house in Texas. The Colorado house AC runs in less than half the time as the one in Texas on two 3 ton ACs. The Texas house has two 5 ton ACs. The difference is the humidity. That makes a huge difference in every way.

We have 2 ACs on my 25 footer and there have been many times traveling though the southern States I was glad to have them.

Our fantastic fan is located in the front on our Airstream. Placing another fan in the rear like this one cools it down nicely in just a few minutes. The fan stays under the bed until those few times we've needed it. I feel this allows us to have the best of both worlds because you don't need 2 ACs until you really need them. Kind of like being up in the far Northwest right now. Who would have thunk.

[AstroBruce]

This is like the 2WD vs 4WD debate. You only need One Air Conditioner until you need Two.

Bruce

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by ZOZ

Additionally, I have been to campgrounds which did not have 50-amp service to run two ACs simultaneously.

True.
So, you run one.
But when there is 50 amp power and you have a single a/c you can't choose to run two!