With 33 years of Army and/or Defense Department service under my belt, my wife and I are seriously preparing to pull the plug. Annual snow birding to Arizona and So. Calif (grandkids) is the future plan, so I jumped on the currently low RV industry prices and plunged into a 2010 Forest River XLR 305V10 5th Wheel Toy Hauler. At 36 feet, it's more than big enough to meet our needs for the foreseeable future. I am in the middle of my final (probably) assignment in the Wash DC area, and live in it F/T during the week, commuting home to the SW Virginia mountains some weekends. It lets me learn the ropes of F/T RV living, while my wife eases into it for shorter periods. So far, so good. I haul it around with a diesel F-350 long bed, crew cab.
One question I have. A couple of strategically placed portable ceramic heaters do a great job of keeping the RV comfortable in Winter, so I don't normally have to use propane for heat. Is there a similar 120V Summer solution that is a good alternative to the roof mounted A/Cs? I find mine loud and inefficient. I suspect it will fail to measure up in the extreme desert heat of Arizona. I could add one in the bedroom for about $1K (I'm already braced and wired for it) but don't think I'd like having it blow straight down on the bed. Also, after only three months of use, the main A/C has failed and I had to drag the RV to a dealer for service. It has been suggested to me that the roof mounted A/C units are not really designed for near continuous use and are prone to failure in F/T scenarios. Surely my $1K could be better spent on a 120V, residential style unit that might be more reliable. Or have I just had bad luck, and ought to go ahead with two RV roof A/Cs? What have other folks done along these lines?
Big Charlie
Racerguy said
10:18 PM Jul 14, 2010
First of all let me welcome you to the forum.As for an AC solution I can't think of one, you just get used to it.We spent the $ 1000 for the second AC on our Forest River Cedar Creek and consider it money well spent.Our front one has adjustments to direct the air out instead of down and it works well. I ran my constantly last year in Arizona without a problem.You probably just got a bad one which happens with anything .So far the only way we have been able to limit use of the AC is being in North Central Oregon this summer.It gets warm(not blistering hot) during the day but by 5 p.m. a cool breeze starts blowing and you can open the windows and get a good cross draft going.
Luvglass said
08:51 AM Jul 15, 2010
It might be the particular air conditioner you have, or the design of your rig. We have been getting by with a single Carrier ducted heat pump unit in out living area without any problems for over 4 years now. It's been running almost continuously the last few months with the high 90's weather we've been in, but manages to keep the rig livable. It's not particularly noisy either.
FWIW, we have seen some rigs with small "window style" air conditioners installed, but these have appeared to be in units that aren't ever moved much.
The Bear II said
09:34 AM Jul 15, 2010
A couple of years age we replaced our dead 13,500 BTU unit with a 15,000 BTU unit and noticed quit a difference in cooling capability. In 90+ degree heat the RV will stay at 63 degrees inside if I turn the thermostat all the way down.
The noise is still there, but you do get used to it. Just turn the TV up louder.
We both hate the heat so our A/C stays on pretty much 24/7 when the outside temps get above 80. Our 13,500 unit died after 12 years of service. It was used on average once a month for several days at a time.
Another option is one of the stand up portable A/C units. They have a hose that vents out of a window, so you would be able to move it to where you need it. Here's a website with some of the models: http://www.portableairshop.com/
You can get these at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Kmart...etc.
We have a 10,000 BTU from Sharp that we use in the living room of our house, it's just enough to stay comfortable while you are in the stream of blowing air. Get away from the stream and you barely feel the cooling. They are quieter than the RV A/C.
We also use one of these when it's not hot enough to go to the A/C. http://www.unoclean.com/Lasko-655702-Stanley-BlowerFan-Multi-Purpose-Pivoting-Utility-Fan.aspx
These fans really put out a strong concentrated stream of air. We will put it near a window to blow the cooler outside air at us. These are a little noisey. They move a lot of air and will cool down the living room quickly when the house has been closed up.
Big Charlie said
06:06 AM Jul 17, 2010
Racerguy/Luvglass: Thanks for the feedback -- sounds like I just had bad luck. I guess I'll go with the second OEM-style roof mount. I have two tower fans that move a lot of air when strategically placed.
Thanks again.
Big Charlie
Big Charlie said
06:07 AM Jul 17, 2010
... and the Bear II -- thanks!
Happytrails said
01:09 PM Jul 17, 2010
Welcome to the RV Dreams forum and family!! Seems like you are getting all your ducks in a row and ready to begin this fantastic lifestyle.
We have two ACs in our Dutch Star. They are about 7 years old and so far no issues. I wouldn't want to do without my bedroom AC. I really haven't noticed any loud noise from it. I can hear it, of course, but nothing I can't handle.
We know some folks that use a tower fan in their living area and it is quiet and circulates the air very well.
Good luck!!
With 33 years of Army and/or Defense Department service under my belt, my wife and I are seriously preparing to pull the plug. Annual snow birding to Arizona and So. Calif (grandkids) is the future plan, so I jumped on the currently low RV industry prices and plunged into a 2010 Forest River XLR 305V10 5th Wheel Toy Hauler. At 36 feet, it's more than big enough to meet our needs for the foreseeable future. I am in the middle of my final (probably) assignment in the Wash DC area, and live in it F/T during the week, commuting home to the SW Virginia mountains some weekends. It lets me learn the ropes of F/T RV living, while my wife eases into it for shorter periods. So far, so good. I haul it around with a diesel F-350 long bed, crew cab.
One question I have. A couple of strategically placed portable ceramic heaters do a great job of keeping the RV comfortable in Winter, so I don't normally have to use propane for heat. Is there a similar 120V Summer solution that is a good alternative to the roof mounted A/Cs? I find mine loud and inefficient. I suspect it will fail to measure up in the extreme desert heat of Arizona. I could add one in the bedroom for about $1K (I'm already braced and wired for it) but don't think I'd like having it blow straight down on the bed. Also, after only three months of use, the main A/C has failed and I had to drag the RV to a dealer for service. It has been suggested to me that the roof mounted A/C units are not really designed for near continuous use and are prone to failure in F/T scenarios. Surely my $1K could be better spent on a 120V, residential style unit that might be more reliable. Or have I just had bad luck, and ought to go ahead with two RV roof A/Cs? What have other folks done along these lines?
Big Charlie
Thanks again.
Big Charlie