disappointed in AC

[JFM-jr]

My last Forest River was a 30 ft travel trailer with a super slide and 13.5 AC unit that kept it very cold. I bought this 5th wheel off the lot it was already prepped with a 13.5 unit. Obviously a larger space to cool but I was stupid enough to assume Forest River would not install a unit in a camper that was not adequate. Boy was I wrong temps here are about 80 during the day and this AC works its ass off to keep the inside within 3 degrees of the outside temp. At night it keeps it comfortable. Overall it does a better job of removing humidity than actual cooling. What really screws me is the 30amp service I cant even add a 2nd unit. So 25+K dollars and the AC is lame! Is it possible to upgrade to a 50 amp to supply power for a 2nd AC?

[kdcamper]

You could try going to 15 btu unit, to change your wiring to 50amp means a lot of work. You will need to replace panel, wire, and probably the inverter.


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[Marshmstr1]

Install a second A/C that runs off 110, have a plug going outside your unit and just have an extension cord run to the 110/20 receptacle next to the 30 amp at campground box.

[JFM-jr]

2nd AC off a plug sounds like a good option ill look into. Im just really disappointed Forest River would even install a unit this inadequate to do the job. IMO a 13.5 should not even be an option on a camper this size but I guess they would rather save the lousy few bucks and pass the issue onto the end user. This is the 2nd Forest River product I have owned and I have loved both and until now really have had no complaints. I guess overall im doing ok and have read worse complaints. One thing that would have been nice is AC vents that can open and close in the ceilings

[PhoneDude 8289]

A second A/C will do the trick. A agree that these units should not go out with less than 15K units. The number of slides you now have as compared to what you had also makes a big difference, more slides, more surface area to heat things up = more heat load. Awning toppers on the slides do help some.

[whj77372]

I have a 2012 V-Cross 275 fiver, 32 feet, and I have 50 Amp with a 15,000 BTU in the living area and a 13,500 BTU in the bedroom. I knew before I started looking for fivers that because I live in SE Texas I would need this setup. We have the worst summer weather in the entire country! I am a little surprised with you in Long Island, NY, that you would require more then one AC? Although I have lived in SE Texas for the past 40 plus years, I did grow up in the Northeast and we camped all over New England and upstate NY. While it does get hot there sometimes, fly fishing near Malone, NY in July at 100 degrees, that is not very often and not for long. Good Luck and please keep cool.

[Marshmstr1]

I understand the frustration, I wish all campers (travel trailers included ) would come with 50 amp service.

[JFM-jr]

I should add I am on the beach with zero shade. At night the AC will actually cycle off. As the day goes on the temp inside steadily rises. My feeling is a 13.5k unit has no business on a 5th wheel this size. There is no way Forest River is not aware of this fact. I liken it to putting D load range tires on a heavy trailer only they wont do that because im sure there are laws deterring it.

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by JFM-jr

I should add I am on the beach with zero shade. At night the AC will actually cycle off. As the day goes on the temp inside steadily rises. My feeling is a 13.5k unit has no business on a 5th wheel this size. There is no way Forest River is not aware of this fact. I liken it to putting D load range tires on a heavy trailer only they wont do that because im sure there are laws deterring it.

This is why the ac has options on the order forms. People in Canada might not even need the ac much if they only stay up there. Heck, here in OK, I've never used the propane heater camping, on either of my campers.
And on a 30' camper even 15k won't be enough to keep it cool durring hot days in the southern states.
Our last 5th was 34' and we were fixing to add a second ac and convert to a 50 amp service, when it totaled.
Now even with a 42' 5er, 2 ac's, all the insulation/radiant stuff we could get, dual pane windows and slide toppers, on hotter and more humid days the ac's are constantly running but it stays cool, except the bunkhouse can get a little warmer at times.

The dealers will usually order a more base model trailer to stick on a lot, because it can always be upfitted but if it comes loaded out they wont have as much of a pricing edge for the more budget minded consumer. So best idea is to order....that way u get what you need, and not the fluff you don't.

[Fourn3833]

Make sure the unit is properly charged. It may just be a warranty issue. It sound like it is low on refrigerant. My Georgetowne (6 years old)had the same problem with my front unit. Low on refrigerant and didn't cool correctly. It used R22 refrigerant, which is very expensive today. It was not worth the money to repair between the service call and the refrigerant. I purchased ($425 plus shipping) a new Duotherm BriskAire 2 from PPL Motorhomes last week and had it shipped to my house. I ordered the 15000 BTU unit which weighs 20 pounds less, is quieter than the old and only uses somewhere around a 1/4 amp more than the old unit. Took me about an hour to change it out. It weighs about 78 pounds.

One issue is to make sure if you have a ducted system that the return to the a/c unit is properly sealed in the plenum as well as the supply to the duct. I had to fix mine up and used some Armorflex tape on it.

The other thing to consider is if it is a ducted system the restriction on the fan is greater than if you keep the direct discharge off the bottom of the unit open during the hot part of the day. This will help move the air quicker

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Marshmstr1

I understand the frustration, I wish all campers (travel trailers included ) would come with 50 amp service.

In Ontario seldom do you find many 50 amp sites. Busy corner lots in less than ideal locations seem to be the norm. I have 15 K one unit, last summer on the maiden voyage we were in a field with no trees, The 15 k took for ever to cool the brown finish on our unit. I agree with the other poster to install a 13.5 in the bedroom on a separate 15 amp plug. Just make sure you get the right type ducted vs ductless.

Brian

[Herk7769]

While I upgraded my AC to 15K when I bought it (planned on a lot of camping in FL), I also improved the efficiency of the unit with some simple mods.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-ac-42280.html

[Timex]

I recently bought an infrared digital thermometer from Amazon for $12. I've been playing with it looking at temps of things. It will also show you the temp of the air coming out of the air duct. Try this to see what the temp is as opposed to what the thermostat is set to and the interior/exterior temps. You may have a restriction in a duct. An oscillating fan can help cool the air too. Pull blinds down to keep the heat from the windows warming the room. I even have some of the shiny window shield(the kind you use for the windshield of a car) to help block the sun and heat.

[JFM-jr]

I have a 20 degree difference from the air intake in the ceiling to the discharge ducts so its plenty cold. I feel the problem lies in the volume of air. My unit is already in the bedroom wich is in the rear of the camper. The only other choics are the bunkhouse up in the loft area or the living room. My roof gains height as you mover forward so a low profile unit would be optimum. I am not sure it is even worth the expense of changing out to a 15K as it still may not do the job.

[QCCowboy]

Check your ductwork before you go upgrading your AC or adding another one. Any gaps in the vents and roof should be sealed and make sure the vents connecting to the AC unit itself are sealed nicely.

Had a previous camper that was the same way and I found that most of the air was actually escaping in between the ductwork and the roof. I did a thorough check and used a lot of aluminum tape to seal everything up and what a difference. Turned into performing the way it should. In fact it kept the inside of our camper at 80 when it was about 100 degrees outside while we were camping in Missouri for a week right after I did it.

Think I posted pics and the work I did here on the forum a couple years ago.

[Big earl]

Add a second a/c. It will run off of a separate breaker box just get a heavy extension cord. I had this done on our last bumper and it worked like a charm


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[zippyzrx]

Replace the inerior lights with LEDs.
Just touching the light covers of the standard incandescent lights vs LED is quite surprissing. Also the LEDs draw about 1/10 the power.
I found this and thermal covers over the pop up vents makes a huge difference in cooling the unit.

[cheatham09]

Everyone needs to plan on how they are going to use their fiver before they buy. So many options out there.


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