One AC unit in a 30ft AS

[HHPJ]

I live in the Palm Springs area, 110-120 and I have found that when away, I run the two fantastic fans to keep the AS from becoming an oven, helps the AC cool down faster when I get home. And run 78 with a fan on. Very comfortable. Awnings up helps to.

[Rgentum]

Another benefit of having 2 ACs and thus a 50 as opposed to a 30 amp circuit is that with a 50 amp circuit, you can use pretty much as many electrical appliances you have without overloading the circuit (as long as the ACs aren't on). For example, with our 30 amp circuit, if we have the one AC on, that's pretty much all we can use. If we want to use the microwave, for example, the AC (as well as the water heater) has to be off; otherwise, the 30 amp breaker will crash. Not so with a 50 amp circuit.

[1Boyscout]

More is better! I own a 2015 28ft AS Serinity. Has 2 ACs. OK, TX, NM, AZ, NV, UT,KS, CA would be definitely more comfortable. Not much shade in SW states.

[gypsydad]

We had single units in our 3 25' AS's in TX and were fine. We have dual AC's in our new 28'. We use one mostly when in warmer climates, and it works fine. However, we traveled thru Big Bend TX coming home from MT in October; the extra AC helped cool down dramatically when it was 95 out. One AC would not cut it for us in Terlingua, TX area. In South Carolina trip and also in Florida in November, the humidity was pretty bad...we used both AC's to cool us down and kept them running most of the day while in FL for 2 weeks. Humidity was a factor for sure in FL....glad we had 2 AC's. In TX AS dealers, you have to special order a single AC unit in 25's or larger...they only order dual AC models.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Humidity matters a lot when it comes to AC. Cooling down from 100F and 95% RH is not the same as 100F and 10% RH. It's not just the moisture in the trailer that matters. If you are "out west" that's a different thing than "back east".

95 to 100F in the full sun in New Jersey with one AC would not get us below the mid 80's in the trailer. That's also with no awnings. Same weather, in partial shade, with awnings out and 2 AC's ... not a problem. Down to low 70's in under two hours.

Lots of fun ....

Bob

[bbcubed53]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I'll continue my search with all of the comments in mind. I know this topic can be purely subjective since everyone's "comfort" level is different. I'll try to keep the forum updated and I'm sure I'll have many more questions as we move forward with our search for our first Airstream, thanks again for all the input.

[mbutterfield]

Having 2 units can be a trip saver, should a problem arise with one of the units. With single unit, any AC problem can be a trip killer, especially in Texas.

2 units might also help mitigate noise during lower demand periods by running the AC that is on opposite side of trailer from your current activity, and helping air circulation with a small fan.

I hope to someday own a ducted AS for quieter AC operations.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by mbutterfield

Having 2 units can be a trip saver, should a problem arise with one of the units. With single unit, any AC problem can be a trip killer, especially in Texas.

2 units might also help mitigate noise during lower demand periods by running the AC that is on opposite side of trailer from your current activity, and helping air circulation with a small fan.

I hope to someday own a ducted AS for quieter AC operations.

Lets talk noise then... I forgot to mention...our new 28' has ducted AC; our 25's did not. One of the first things we noticed in the new ducted AC unit was we could hear the TV and talk, without raising our voices...In our last 2014 25' FC, we had a lot more A/C noise when running full on, without the ducting. Likewise, as mentioned with 2AC's, you can run one at the far end of the trailer either for the heat pump or the AC, when going to sleep, watching TV, or what ever, and not have any AC unit operating above you...I love the ducting in the new units.

[Zybane]

Shade is everything. If the trailer is shaded, you could do probably 95+ F with one air conditioner. If in the sun, even with awnings out, you WILL need two with any temps 90F or above.

[Tater]

I let a salesman talk me out of 15k a.c. on our 25'FC. Big mistake with trying to camp in Florida sun during July daytime temps would be 80+ with a.c. full speed. Now have 30' with 2 a.c.and that plus 50 amp service is a big advantage on my opinion.

[2012FB]

No way in heck. Been there done that. It will make it harder to sell down the road. I bought an Airstream to be comfortable period. Had to buy a couple of mistakes to get there. Not interested in work arounds or compromise.

[Echelon73]

We bought a 2010 30’ with one AC in 2015. We do a lot of beach and lake camping in the summer. Much of it is in direct sunlight. After less than 2 years of ownership we spent well over $5000 to add a second AC and upgrade to 50A. It was a huge amount of money to upgrade, but It is the single best upgrade we have ever made. We can now cool down much quicker and we have the option to run the one in the bedroom when we are trying to watch TV. Both also have heat pumps and we use both frequently when camping. Before we had to have a large box fan going constantly to circulate cool air, and even with that it was not exactly comfortable. To each their own, but I learned my preference the expensive way. I would personally not buy one with just a single AC unit.

[xrvr]

I guess 80 is too hot in the trailer for some, not for others.

[hhendrix]

We have two A/C's on our 2015 27'FB. Aside from all the opinions here regarding comfortable temperatures, the single most important option for comfort is ducted A/C. The old style A/C is so loud both in heat or cool mode that you can't hear much else without raising your voice or cranking up the TV. I've had both types and the new style ducted A/C is so quiet in comparison, I don't recommend the earlier type to anyone interested in buying an Airstream.

[zapper]

Originally Posted by bbcubed53

I am looking for my first AS and have seen a couple of 30ft units pre 2015 with AC units that are not ducted with only one unit. My question is; will one AC unit cool a 28-30ft AS in normal summertime temperatures of 80-90 degrees?

As others have mentioned it depends upon where you camp and if you have a choice. Weather, tends to change rapidly.

Our 2007 25' with a single AC unit in Phoenix, AZ in the summer definitely not. Anything above 90 degrees became uncomfortable, above 100 degrees unbearable even with all around awnings AND window screens. On the other hand the 2017 30' dual AC ducted, full awning package was able to handle 100 plus temps in Quartzite AZ in July even with the rear AC unit on the fritz. It never got really cool but was just OK. Arrived at the camp site late afternoon and by 9-10PM had cooled down enough we could sleep comfortably.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by zapper

As others have mentioned it depends upon where you camp and if you have a choice. Weather, tends to change rapidly.

Our 2007 25' with a single AC unit in Phoenix, AZ in the summer definitely not. Anything above 90 degrees became uncomfortable, above 100 degrees unbearable even with all around awnings AND window screens. On the other hand the 2017 30' dual AC ducted, full awning package was able to handle 100 plus temps in Quartzite AZ in July even with the rear AC unit on the fritz. It never got really cool but was just OK. Arrived at the camp site late afternoon and by 9-10PM had cooled down enough we could sleep comfortably.

Lets be honest...100+ heat is crazy camping weather! With our 2014 25' we went thru Las Vegas couple years ago and got in at 9:30pm. It was still 110+ outside, down from 118 at 6pm. I never could get the single1500AC in our 25' AS cool enough to sleep. We ended up renting a room for the night. If your in dry heat as others have said, it is different then being in humidity...at 90+ temps. Humidity sucks in very hot weather! But even dry heat, 110+ is miserable! (unless your in a lake/river/or pool with a cold one!)

[Airstream87]

Originally Posted by bbcubed53

I am looking for my first AS and have seen a couple of 30ft units pre 2015 with AC units that are not ducted with only one unit. My question is; will one AC unit cool a 28-30ft AS in normal summertime temperatures of 80-90 degrees?

Have a 30ft Sovereign have used since 1999, came with original colman AC. I stupidly had CW change it out for new 13,000 btu, would not cool unless outside was 80 degrees. Had AS factory install a Dometic 15,000 heat pump that works pretty well, we try to have shade in the afternoon. Heat pump works well in winter down to around 32 degrees, turns itself off below that.
While at AS factory last summer noticed most all new 28 and longer have two of these heat pumps.

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by bbcubed53

I am looking for my first AS and have seen a couple of 30ft units pre 2015 with AC units that are not ducted with only one unit. My question is; will one AC unit cool a 28-30ft AS in normal summertime temperatures of 80-90 degrees?

No, not in my experience.

For me, “Normal” is either Florida or Texas summer weather. Anytime it’s above 80°, we are very glad to have two ACs.

Good shade trees and awnings can ameliorate this to some degree.

[mythbuster88]

We had a very hot summer in the trailer with one broken AC and one good AC.
Try and get a warranty AC repair in the summer! It took over a month to get a repair.
Good thing we had two ACs.

Sure shade is great but you can't always get shade.
The awnings provide some shade, but you can't use them if there is any wind.

Thank you Airstream in Spokane for helping us!

[m.hony]

Noooo!
It's more than just whether the trailer has 1 or 2 a/c units.
You want a trailer with 2 a/c units for another huge reason- 50 amp service vs. 30 amp service- so you can run microwave AND a/c rather than microwave OR a/c...