Do I need a 2nd AC unit?

[larryglarson]

Just got my new 26u FDC with 2 air condioner, love them. Instead of coiling my cord I just "feed" it into the compartment, this works for me.

[jcanavera]

Personally I believe that one 13.5K unit in any trailer of 27' up is marginal when the weather gets hot. Even when my '04 30 ft Classic slide out was built the standard AC unit was 13.5K BTUs. I also learned that awnings make a tremendous difference in helping to improve the performance of the air conditioner(s).

Based on our climate and our locations where we travel, I upgraded my Classic at order time to the 15K heat pump unit. I also deploy the awnings unless weather conditions (wind or storms) play a factor. Quite honestly anyone who lives and camps in the southern or southwestern portions of the US would benefit in having a second A/C unit.

In my case the 15K air conditioner has done an admirable job and compared with the 13.5K unit that was on my 27' Safari, and is really a much better choice for those trailers greater than 27' if you travel in conditions that range from the upper 90's downwards and where you have awnings all around.

Again not having awnings all around makes a difference. After experiencing a hot trip with my Safari, in full sun and daily highs in the upper 90's, I added a street side awning that was the entire length of the trailer. While it didn't extend out as far as a patio awning, it made a significant difference in reducing the sun load on the trailer. We never had an unacceptable experience with inside temperatures again.

Jack

[Rich Jenkins]

^^^ Great points.

Brings up a question, for me actually. So, the two AC units are not the same, BTU wise?

I did not know that...interesting. For my 2016 27' FC FB, with two ACs, I gather I have a 15k unit and a 13.5k unit?

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by Llando88

^^^ Great points.

Brings up a question, for me actually. So, the two AC units are not the same, BTU wise?

I did not know that...interesting. For my 2016 27' FC FB, with two ACs, I gather I have a 15k unit and a 13.5k unit?

Yes, that's right.

[runnersg]

I am also in Texas with a 27". Don't fool yourself into thinking 1 A/C is adequate. It is not.

[mandolindave]

I have a twenty footer, really only boondock up north. The few times that I have had electricity and used the AC, I nearly froze. ( one time the cold air made it rain inside my trailer )

I go to music festivals, play music into the wee hours. I often need an afternoon nap. It's miserable without the AC on. That being said, how often will you want to go camping in 100 + degree temps. How much time will you actually be spending inside the camper. If I was going to be in a camper all day long, hiding from the heat…I might just stay home. But that's just me.

I agree with what everyone has said, but I am just voicing the other side of the story.

Depending on how much you have to spend, how, why, where you will be camping, should be part of YOUR decision making process.

[Streaminfree]

I just bought a 30fb and had one unit not working on the first night of use. We were able to turn only the fan on, in the non-working zone and leave the other one running cool and it did a decent job of keeping us around 80 which was better than the 90+ it would have been if we only had one unit and it went bad. So simply for back up purposes id go with 2. The cord is no big deal and we just put it in the bumper bin.

[GuyInTheSW]

I just purchased a 2016 25 ft FC which only has one unit, and wish I had a second AC already! Get two!


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[m.hony]

What's the difference in price?
$81,000 or $82,200?
Get the second a/c.


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[P21932]

Get 2. We had it in our 30' (before we got the Motorhome). The only real downside is the loss of one of the fantastic fans (the cord is heavy but you get used to it). The loss of fan is a problem but not as big as not being able to cool down the AS in the 90 ddgree plus heat you get in the Southern US.

[Texan64]

We live in Houston and have a 2016 25FB twin Flying Cloud and we have 2 AC's. Totally recommend it for anywhere in Texas. When in a cooler climate and only have 30 amp, 1 is great.

[drumdoc]

We had a 06 Safari 25' (live in East Tx) so mainly camp in South and SW, the one AC was marginal on really hot days,,awnings,shade do help some ,but not much when it is 98 and 85% humidity !!! When we got a new FC 25' 2015 we specifically looked for and found one with 2 ACs. After 2 recent trips to Florida and Utah we are VERY glad we had both of the units!!!

[rp709]

Remember that when you sell a large Airstream buyers will be looking for the second AC unit. When you don't need it, use a lighter 30 amp cord. Best of both worlds.

[Airstream12557]

We typically use both ACs on our 30 ft. FC, even when the temperature is not oppressively hot. Another point on the second AC is redundancy. I remember loosing the AC on an earlier 30 FT Airstream and we had to endure the Arizona heat while awaiting repairs. With the second AC you have some relief until repairs can be made.

[m.hony]

What he said^.


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[jrschro]

Why does AirStream only have one temperature controller with two A/C units. When one A/C unit goes down the other is down. This is our second 27FB and we have had problems with the Dometic A/C in both trailers. Just happened again with an E1 error. Both A/C inop. The problem was with the rear unit only. We have a 2014 27FB, is it possible to retro fit a second thermostat so that each A/C operates independent of each other.

[m.hony]

No...
If one a/c quits the thermostat still works the second a/c, but...
If the thermostat quits, neither a/c will work!
Maybe thermostats breaking down isn't common?


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[ashrink12]

Originally Posted by Llando88

^^^ Great points.

Brings up a question, for me actually. So, the two AC units are not the same, BTU wise?

I did not know that...interesting. For my 2016 27' FC FB, with two ACs, I gather I have a 15k unit and a 13.5k unit?

You might want to check your records. I thought I had a 15K front unit and a 13,500 rear unit on my 2017 30' International. They are now putting 2 - 13,500 units as standard on 30' AS's. I have found that either unit running by itself is inadequate as regards CFM of air flow.

When I have only 30 amp service(like at my house) I turn on the AC associated with the main cabin and the fan associated with the bedroom AC and the airflow to all ducts is increased dramatically.

Greg

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by m.hony

No...
If one a/c quits the thermostat still works the second a/c, but...
If the thermostat quits, neither a/c will work!
Maybe thermostats breaking down isn't common?


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My trailer is currently at Dependable RV Service in Madison (Gluckstadt) MS for a/c repairs.
As far as I know on my trailer the front a/c is 15,000 BTU and the rear a/c is 13,500 BTU.
The motherboard on the front a/c unit controls the thermostat and the rear a/c unit. This main board may be the source of my trouble. Maybe we will find out soon.
I think it would be better to have 2 thermostats- 1 for each unit- so if there is a failure of 1 unit, thermostat, or motherboard you still have a/c.
The entire system quit Saturday when it was 91 degrees...
The entire system tied/linked together and depending on one component to work all is just simply a bad idea.
Food for thought:
Why in the world do we need a programmable thermostat in a camper?!
No!
We just need off/om, a/c or heat, fan, and temperature.
K. I. S. S.-
There is some reason why a bi-metal spring and a mercury switch will not work on a vehicle that bounces up and down the road, but the thermostat most certainly could be simpler than the Dometic CCC (Comfort Control Center?) II! There doesn't even need to be a Comfort Control CENTER!
There should be 2 separate Comfort Control ENDS...
I wonder if there is a way to retrofit a single thermostat for each of these units. I think the answer is no. They got me!
If I ever need new a/c units I may go with a different brand unit if it will allow to separate systems.
The downfall to the system is the electronic computer controls which I feel are totally unnecessary.

[Bev1940]

Can any one tell me if its possible to recharge the AC in my 1978 AS? The fan works on all speeds still blows a little cool but not enough for hot nights. My AS dealer tells me they cannot recharge with Freeon any more. Is there any alternative?