25' Flying Cloud - 2nd AC unit or not?

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Speaking of the 50 amp cable, after wrestling mine once, I replaced it with a much more flexible cable from e-trailer. Having had another RV with 50 amp cable, I knew that Airstream clunker wasn't the norm.
In addition, the right angle connector takes all the strain off the trailer's power inlet.

this is a side note to the thread, but I wanted to thank you for pointing out this cable. I had never had a 50A cable before and assumed they were all as bulky and inflexible as the long one (which would be nice if you are a long ways from power) that came with the AS. I just bought one of these from e-trailer and it is much simpler to hold and manipulate. Like the 90 degree plug, too. Thanks, Mollysdad!

[twbucksr]

The 3 finger grip looks like it would prevent the rain cover from closing on my Progressive Surge Protector. Can anyone confirm?

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by twbucksr

The 3 finger grip looks like it would prevent the rain cover from closing on my Progressive Surge Protector. Can anyone confirm?

Yes the 3 finger grip does prevent the cover from closing on the Progressive Surge Protector. I thought about removing the 3 finger pull but am satisfied that the cover closes enough to provide protection.

The flexible cord and the right angle connector make it a great substitute for the original cord!

[Aluminaut]

well, this thread sucked to read....

I just bought a 2019 flying cloud 25fb twin yesterday.....with one ac unit.

for reasons too complicated to go into, I haven't taken delivery yet and our contract has not been sent to the bank yet, so technically ,I suppose, I can get something else.

however, I'd dread that move. not only have I change my my already to go from a queen to a twin...and they happily accommodated me....well, they've accommodated me with quite a few other things as well....I got a great price on this one. I'd hate to lose that. plus, I'd hate to lose the layout too....if I'd be forced to pick another model with 2 acs.

how expensive would it be to add another ac?

I'd pay the extra cost...even with all the other extra stuff I'd have to buy changing over from 30 amps to 50.

sigh....

[n2916s]

It is definitely a trade off. My old Sovereign (31') has one. Perfectly fine most of the time. But, temps over 90 and you will not cool the trailer down to comfortable (low to mid 70's). Temps over 100, well, forget being in the trailer. If I was buying new, I would buy dual.

Some of the previous posters have added a second. I haven't because I would never recoup the investment so, basically, I avoid needing one by choosing where and when I travel.

[ratch]

I got tired of lugging the 50 amp power cord that came with my AS and looked for an alternative. Found this on Amazon. 15 feet and it isn't affected as much by cold weather as the original. And one person can coil it up.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by twbucksr

The 3 finger grip looks like it would prevent the rain cover from closing on my Progressive Surge Protector. Can anyone confirm?

It doesn't close completely, but it kept the rain off mine in downpours.
I'd prefer a ring pull or some other device, but I didn't find one that had all my wishes.

[Bbelk]

I added a second 30 amp circuit for the second A/C. It was about $3,500. I can run either A/C with one cord and both with two. I travel with two cords anyway, they are much nicer to deal with than 50 amp cords.

[Brandon T.]

How cool can a two AC unit keep a 25+' trailer when it's 105+ outside?

[pteck]

Not all A/C units are created equal. Personally, I'd much rather 1 unit and 2 fantastic fans than the other way around.

A single modern Blizzard NXT unit will easily keep the interior temp to whatever you like:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...de-195288.html

[stevenson748]

In Florida hot humid weather, one AC will only cool the trailer to around 76, while 2 AC will allow the trailer to cool to 70 or less. We have been camped in a Sunny parking lot running on generator during the day, and 76 was coolest we could get temp during the day. The other big advantage of 2 AC is you have 50 amp service, and when available you can turn on all your electrical appliances at once and never worry about blowing the circuit breaker at utility post

[Flathead1984]

I am about ready to purchase a FC 25 rear bed. In fact, I already put substantial funds down. Customer service replied today, after I had put money down on a unity with 1 ac, that I needed 2. My sales person said NO, one is fine for a 25' trailer. I am getting conflicting information. Most say 2 is needed. Other dealers say 2 is needed for Florida. I am in Florida 7 months a year.

I need to resolve this issue. These are really pricey trailers. 1 AC vs 2 is essentially the same price to purchase. But after I take it off the lot, changing from 1 to 2 is extremely costly.

I would like to hear from those with 1 AC and share their experience. If I can get away with it, I prefer to have 1. I will be using in the north, but also want to be able to use it in Florida when temp is over 90 and not bake in it, or max out the system.

[jaybauman]

Originally Posted by Flathead1984

I am about ready to purchase a FC 25 rear bed. In fact, I already put substantial funds down. Customer service replied today, after I had put money down on a unity with 1 ac, that I needed 2. My sales person said NO, one is fine for a 25' trailer. I am getting conflicting information. Most say 2 is needed. Other dealers say 2 is needed for Florida. I am in Florida 7 months a year.

I need to resolve this issue. These are really pricey trailers. 1 AC vs 2 is essentially the same price to purchase. But after I take it off the lot, changing from 1 to 2 is extremely costly.

I would like to hear from those with 1 AC and share their experience. If I can get away with it, I prefer to have 1. I will be using in the north, but also want to be able to use it in Florida when temp is over 90 and not bake in it, or max out the system.

While many folks might tell you that a single unit will suffice in your 25-footer, I attest that we have been known to run both units in our FC30 in August in the South Texas sun continually. If the price differential is inconsequential to you, go for the dual configuration. You'll have better cooling functionality should you need it, and a backup should one fail while you're camping.

[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by Flathead1984

I am about ready to purchase a FC 25 rear bed. In fact, I already put substantial funds down. Customer service replied today, after I had put money down on a unity with 1 ac, that I needed 2. My sales person said NO, one is fine for a 25' trailer. I am getting conflicting information. Most say 2 is needed. Other dealers say 2 is needed for Florida. I am in Florida 7 months a year.

I need to resolve this issue. These are really pricey trailers. 1 AC vs 2 is essentially the same price to purchase. But after I take it off the lot, changing from 1 to 2 is extremely costly.

I would like to hear from those with 1 AC and share their experience. If I can get away with it, I prefer to have 1. I will be using in the north, but also want to be able to use it in Florida when temp is over 90 and not bake in it, or max out the system.

We have a 2019 FC 25 RBT and spent last winter at LYH in Melbourne, Fl. You are in full sun at LYH. No shade trees. We had several days of high 80's and couple of 90 degree days. 1 A/C did fine. We set stat at 73 or 74. Kept up no problem.

I owned a home in Naples, Fl. from 1990 until 2014 living full time from 2001 until 2014. I know what Florida heat is like. The 1 A/C seemed to do a fine job in our trailer. I like the idea of 1 A/C and 2 Fantastic Fans. You loose one fan when you get the 2nd A/C. The 50 Amp cord is a pain, 2nd A/c adds 100+ LBS, and initial cost is more.

If the $$$$ is not important go ahead and get the 2nd A/C. Get the 2nd A/C from the get go. Retrofit is $$$$. Happy travels.

[Bgibbs]

You need a second a/c for several reasons.
1. one a/c dies, you still have one (we have 2 units on a 26u and they have both been replaced twice)
2. You can run the one in the other end of the trailer at night and it is much quieter.
3. at the end of the day, 2 units will cool/warm the trailer much quicker than one.
4. one a/c dies
5. did I mention that we have replaced both units twice?

[lsbrodsky]

You did mention that you have replaced both units twice...is there something going on with your trailer or use that is so unusual? Sure we read about Dometic failures, but never 4 units on one trailer in 3 or 4 years.
Larry

[GettinAway]

We have just the one AC on our 25, And it does just fine, but if I was going to be in FL for seven months a year, I’d go for two. We had one AC in our 23, and it ran fine from 2011 to 2020 without issue, except the drain line got clogged.

[Brandon T.]

The trick to using one ac I’d to nip the heat EARLY. If you know the temp is going to be in the upper 90++ then set it operational when the temp is at 70. It’ll maintain close to that temp pretty good even when temps hit 100.
Trying to cool down a trailer when it’s a 100 inside takes 3 hours with just one ac.
My experience. Good luck.

[moosetags]

We have been Airstreaming for a very long time. We have had two 25FB's over the last fourteen years. We have used these Airstreams extensively. We have logged over 2,100 nights of Airstream camping all over the United States and Canada. We have towed our Airstreams almost 200,000 miles.

Both of our Airstreams have had a single air conditioner and we have always gotten by, even in some pretty hot circumstances. If we were to replace Lucy again, we would get a one air conditioner unit.

Brian

[brick1]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Pro:
You have a spare, JIC.
You can run the one in the other room and it's quieter.
Both will cool you down FAST!
50 amp power. Much more than another 20 amps.

Con:
It's expensive.
You lose a roof vent.

50 amp service has two 50amp legs, for a combined 100 amp total capacity. The service panel of a “50” has two 50 amp breakers, with the loads divided between the two. So in total, 70amps additional capacity over a 30 amp system.