FR A/C Complaints

Delrin · 10-09-2007, 10:59 AM

Hiya,

I have a general question for anyone with the 13.5 A/C unit. We are looking at a WildWood LE 26TBSS and I have found a few complaints (though none here) that the A/C is not enough to cool down the coach. Has anyone else experienced a similar complaint and is the optional 15 BTU A/C unit worth it?

Any feedback good or bad on the WildWood LE series would also be appreciated. We are looking at moving up from an Hybrid TT to a hardside TT and I'm not familiar with FR products. Our current trailer is a StarCraft TravelStar 18SB.

Great site by the way, very useful when researching.

Thanks!

aintgotnun · 10-09-2007, 11:04 AM

Hi and

to FRF!!

I'm no help but maybe someone else here can guide you along.

greg

RAC · 10-09-2007, 11:42 AM

13, 500 BTU's is plenty. The 15,ooo BTU unit will not work hard enough to make good cooling and remove the humidity from the air. My 2 cents.

HookMeUp · 10-09-2007, 01:18 PM

These A/C units are designed to remove 18-20 degrees from the outside air temp, so if it's 100 outside the best you could hope for is 80.

MRimmer · 10-09-2007, 03:00 PM

My 13500 has had no problem cooling my trailer. I agree with hookmeup.

If you can get 20 below the outside temp it is working as designed. But also remember at the park under tress will help also rather than in the open sunlight.

Mike

Paul B · 10-09-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HookMeUp

These A/C units are designed to remove 18-20 degrees from the outside air temp, so if it's 100 outside the best you could hope for is 80.

This goes for any A/C unit whether it be RV or home or car or truck.

Paul B

powerboatr · 10-09-2007, 05:56 PM

welcome aboard

our coach has two a/c units, one ducted and one not
the ducted one has some issues in the high heat to keep coach cool... i spent a few days removing the duct registers and sealing the openings they cut in the ducts to add the registers, so the cold air would blow in the coach vice the attic area, this helped tremendously with air flow.

my 13.5 bedroom non ducted will flat run you out quick with cold air.

rockwood06 · 10-10-2007, 05:41 AM

In my house I can maintain 68 drgrease with a temp of 95 degreases out side, with no problem. My supply air temp is between 50 to 55 degreases. There is a lot more to figer when sizing a unit for a house. A " J " schedule is used to figure heat gain for AC and heat loss for heating. This has to do with the R-FACTOR ratings in building materials. The temp differenaces between supply air and return air is approx 18 to 20 degreases. As far as RV's they are very leaky, the manufactures are not concerned about any of this. It is ture, If your unit cools too fast it can not remove the humidity, you will be cool but clammy. I have the same problem with my 13.5. However I am going to install a 15000 BTU CARRIER HEAT PUMP on my camper. Rule of thumb, for every 550 sq ft, one ton is needed but other heat loads have to be added. Something to think about, for every person just standing in your camper on a 90 degrease day they are producing approx 400 to 450 BTU's of energy, Just think now hard your AC is working.

Bryce · 10-10-2007, 06:15 AM

We have this very camper (Wildwood 26TBSS) and it'll freeze my family out and have them complaining until I turn it off. This is in Georgia with temps in the upper 90's and sometimes lower 100's.

the 13500BTU unit is fine.

Bryce

NDJollyMon · 10-10-2007, 09:45 AM

I've had the 13.5 in a previous 26' trailer and it worked just fine. (Carrier)
I've got the single 15 in the Salem PT, and it also seems to do a great job...overall. The cooling can be a little uneven in the rooms on a hot day...but it is still good enough. (but I'm not in the South either)

Wags · 10-10-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDJollyMon

I've had the 13.5 in a previous 26' trailer and it worked just fine. (Carrier)
I've got the single 15 in the Salem PT, and it also seems to do a great job...overall. The cooling can be a little uneven in the rooms on a hot day...but it is still good enough. (but I'm not in the South either)

Hey Jolly,

Sounds like you are on the fence about the 15. I'm looking to purchase a Wildwood or Salem 403fb PT (I had a previous post on which PT) an option is for a second 13.5 in the bedroom. Is that over kill? Would the ceiling fans be better to move the air with just the 15 only? Trailer would be in NE Ohio. By the way what is the difference between the Wildwood and Salem? Looks the same to me.

Thanks,

~Wags

NDJollyMon · 10-10-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wags

Hey Jolly,

Sounds like you are on the fence about the 15. I'm looking to purchase a Wildwood or Salem 403fb PT (I had a previous post on which PT) an option is for a second 13.5 in the bedroom. Is that over kill? Would the ceiling fans be better to move the air with just the 15 only? Trailer would be in NE Ohio. By the way what is the difference between the Wildwood and Salem? Looks the same to me.

Thanks,

~Wags

The bedroom area remains a little warmer than the rest of the trailer on hotter days. My bedroom area is also less shaded by trees than the rest...and this may contribute to my uneven cooling. I need to leave the door open at night to allow for better cirrculation of air.

It's also a little warmer in the cool weather. Maybe it's just insulated better back there....

NDJollyMon · 10-10-2007, 10:28 AM

Not sure about the difference between Wildwood and Salem.
I know my Salem is built pretty well...but none are really perfect.

Geaux Tigers · 10-10-2007, 11:34 PM

I'm not sure what the cooling difference is, but down south we figure bigger is better. We had the 15000 put on. The local dealer said all of the campers they order have the larger a/c.

NDJollyMon · 10-11-2007, 04:14 PM

That makes good sense to me. Up hear we do the same with furnaces! (Fireplace option as well)
It's weird to use the A/C by day and then have to use the furnace at night! (it happens)

milzat · 10-11-2007, 04:46 PM

15,000 BTU down here in south Louisiana and no complaints.

Isn't bigger, better?

rockwood06 · 10-11-2007, 06:13 PM

For a house no, but for a camper, I would because there is a large heat gaine and you don't all ways stay in the same part of the country when you retire. With RV's it better to have then not.

welshman599 · 10-11-2007, 06:28 PM

we have the 15 and in a 42' trailer with three slides, two bedrooms and two baths it does the job... it seems a tick slow at cooling at times, but usually only if you really let it get hot first. The A/C with the fans works nice too.

Delrin · 10-12-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDJollyMon

Not sure about the difference between Wildwood and Salem.
I know my Salem is built pretty well...but none are really perfect.

Thanks for the info, does anyone know the difference between Salem & Wildwood? I can't seem to find one! Seems they offer the same floor plans, etc. Is Salem a better version?? FR website is not very helpful.

TravelSoftballDad · 03-26-2008, 05:51 PM

13.5 is fine. We have the Salem 26TBSS and works great. There is NO difference between the Wildwood and Salem with the exception of the graphics on the outside.

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