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bdarbyjr · 04-22-2017, 06:24 PM

Hello all...I'm currently getting ready to purchase a 2017 FC 30ft bunk. The unit I am currently looking at only has 1 AC. With living in Texas will I be ok with keeping it cool? I feel like with the ducted system now I will be fine, but would like your opinion?

Thanks MUCH!

FCStreamer · 04-22-2017, 06:59 PM

I'd recommend two. 30ft and Texas.

cabinetmaker · 04-22-2017, 07:18 PM

For sure get 2. 30 ft...I wouldn't get a 25 ft without 2! Trust me as I owned a 30 Classic and sometimes with both it was hard to keep cool.

You will burn up in the Texas summers with just one a/c...even ducted.

2012FB · 04-22-2017, 09:03 PM

Two AC units plus full awning package.

switz · 04-23-2017, 04:34 AM

We had a 2013 25FB International Serenity with a full awning package and 15,000 BTU A/C and it was hard pressed to stay cool in the Arizona heat. Our Classic has both A/C units (13,500 BTU in back and 15,000 BTU in front) along with the full awnings set and is able to keep the unit to a 20 degree temperature spread between inside and outside out in the sun, which is only what the manufacture's claim the equipment should be able to do.

Our much smaller 2015 23D International Serenity with full awning package can cope in hot weather with it's 13,500 BTU A/C.

PecanMan5 · 04-23-2017, 11:16 AM

My 25 FC has 2.

Tbeck11931 · 04-23-2017, 11:52 AM

I highly recommend 2 AC units.

Tater · 04-23-2017, 11:54 AM

From a Florida perspective as others have noted, get two. Highly recommend the awning package as well.

Paddledipper · 04-23-2017, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012FB

Two AC units plus full awning package.

I agree with this if you plan to spend any time in warmer climates.

NoNameinNM · 04-23-2017, 01:31 PM

50 amp service is now the default standard on all 30' models, so you'd want to have a really sound reason to go for the 30 amp option.

The one mistake we made was not getting the 50 amp upgrade on our International 28. I was concerned about the weight of the 50 amp cord since I am sometimes on my own, and our salesman assured us we'd be fine with just the single air conditioner since we were also getting the full awnings package. Most of the time we're fine, but there were a couple of longer trips (including one to the factory last year for warranty work), where we were absolutely miserable.

You can plan trips during cooler seasons, but sometimes temperatures are unseasonably hot. Two small portable fans inside the trailer have helped, but only a little.

I absolutely agree with the recommendation of others here-- get the two ACs and the full awnings package!

popgun33 · 04-23-2017, 01:56 PM

I agree that 2 AC units are needed in South Texas. I have a 30ft. 2010, Flying Cloud with only 1 AC. I recently read in Trailer Life of someone retrofitting a Coleman-Mach AC roof unit in the space that the rear Fantastic Fan was installed. The power requirements were such ( about 7.5 amp as I recall.) that both AC's could be used on 30 amp service proved nothing else was in use. I would like to use the rear ac to cool the bedroom for sleeping and as an auxiliary with the main unit if it got way too hoe inside. Has anyone done this? Does anyone have experience with the Coleman-Mach AC unit?

MelGoddard · 04-23-2017, 06:58 PM

C'mon up to Cooler Canada.
My 30' FC has one AC, (ducted) and it's fine.
And Ontario has nice fishing, and great scenery, good everything, except Red traffic lights; (but you'll have to share it with God. It's his country)

Riverdrifter · 04-23-2017, 07:20 PM

Our 30' International would not be even close to comfortable above about 85 degrees without two A/C units!

SuperSamuli · 04-24-2017, 12:49 AM

Get two AC-units. Just a side note, that in my opinion, Airstream's AC-units are quite noisy, but I don't think they're that much options for that.

Riverdrifter · 04-25-2017, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSamuli

Get two AC-units. Just a side note, that in my opinion, Airstream's AC-units are quite noisy, but I don't think they're that much options for that.

I totally agree with the noise issue with Airstreams. I am not sure if the newer ducted ones have remedied this but on our 2011 the heat pump is so noisy we can't watch TV. Couple that with marginal insulation, single pane windows and no sealed belly and you end up running the heat or A/C a lot more than a 4 Season trailer like an Artic Fox or some of the nicer 5th wheels. Price you pay for the "coolness factor" of an Airstream.

xrvr · 04-25-2017, 06:05 AM

Nothing keeping you from buying a four season trailer, enjoy. My opinion, if you're not suffering some while camping, you're missing one of the reasons you go? When the time comes that my trailer has to be a smaller version of my home, I'll stay home.

Riverdrifter · 04-26-2017, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avionstream

Nothing keeping you from buying a four season trailer, enjoy. My opinion, if you're not suffering some while camping, you're missing one of the reasons you go? When the time comes that my trailer has to be a smaller version of my home, I'll stay home.

I did plenty of suffering when I used to back pack all over the Sierras and Cascades. Got wet, cold, mosquito bit, chased by black bears etc I still tent camp when I'm white water rafting or the occasional back pack to high country lakes but to say you need to suffer a little to be camping just defies logic to me. My main point that for a $100,000 travel trailer you would think there would be double pane windows, heat ducts in the floor, sealed and heated water and holding tanks and drain valves and a quiet A/C and heat pump. There is a lot to like about my Airstream and my wife and I enjoy our time on the road, but when we woke up to 18 degrees one day in Utah you start to see some shortcomings.

Mollysdad · 04-26-2017, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avionstream

Nothing keeping you from buying a four season trailer, enjoy. My opinion, if you're not suffering some while camping, you're missing one of the reasons you go?

And enough are paying three times as much for the pleasure(?) that Thor is laughing all the way to the bank.
(and I'm one of their fans, but maybe more realistic.)
Is Hartmann luggage worth the extra cost?(Knowing Hartmann is owned by Samsonite.) Harley Davidson? Mercedes? Gucci?

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

LiLNomad · 04-26-2017, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverdrifter

I did plenty of suffering when I used to back pack all over the Sierras and Cascades. Got wet, cold, mosquito bit, chased by black bears etc I still tent camp when I'm white water rafting or the occasional back pack to high country lakes but to say you need to suffer a little to be camping just defies logic to me. My main point that for a $100,000 travel trailer you would think there would be double pane windows, heat ducts in the floor, sealed and heated water and holding tanks and drain valves and a quiet A/C and heat pump. There is a lot to like about my Airstream and my wife and I enjoy our time on the road, but when we woke up to 18 degrees one day in Utah you start to see some shortcomings.

Damn and I thought it was cold when I woke up in Quartzsite and it was 41 inside the trailer

Compared to your 18 degrees I was in a heatwave

LilNomad

2012FB · 04-26-2017, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverdrifter

My main point that for a $100,000 travel trailer you would think there would be double pane windows, heat ducts in the floor, sealed and heated water and holding tanks and drain valves and a quiet A/C and heat pump.

Agreed!!! I wanted a home on wheels. Why sped the big bucks otherwise. Really!