Seeking 2015 FR3 30DS Owner or FR3 Veteran

[MarkA]

Hello all, my wife and I are closing in on a new purchase of a 2015 FR3 30DS, manufactured post 12/14. We understand that the newly manufactured coaches have an 18,000 BTU Atwood Quiet Command Ducted Roof A/C and Pioneer Electronics Package, amongst other notable upgrades. We really want to get a coach with the higher powered and more efficient A/C (Texas residents) and the Pioneer package is a nice touch.

I see a common complaint with the 13,500 BTU & 15,000 BTU A/C units amongst the FR3 community so I would love to get feedback on the 18,000 BTU A/C unit. Does anyone have one of these 18K BTU A/C units or an FR3 30DS that came with one?

Also, I'd love to connect with an RV veteran over the phone (preferably FR3 owner) that wouldn't mind sharing his/her wisdom with owning/maintaining a Class A and expectations for RV'ing fulltime across the country.

Thank you all!

[fdp]

I have the same concern. I purchased a 2014/2015 DS30 in October. We will be using it in Arizona this summer and don't feel that the 15000 AC unit is going to keep the MH reasonably cool.

[JerseyGuy]

We will be adding a standalone unit on its own circuit if we ever get above 20F.

The 15k handled 105F last May in Phoenix but we want additional cooling this year.


2014 FR3 30DS In New Jersey

[Online_17]

Well I have the 12500 unit and can tell you....it sucks! Buying first year units are not always a good idea. We were the guinea pigs. Hmm ... new thread idea.... fellow guinea pigs, feel appreciated? Lol

[b1barnes]

Just an fyi, the new unit is only 15000 truely but equivalent to 18000.. It does have a heat pump so it will warm and has some nice other features like a very quite fan

so will it really cool better, the jury is still out.

[welder]

How do you put heat on through the air conditioner?

[MarkA]

Originally Posted by b1barnes

Just an fyi, the new unit is only 15000 truely but equivalent to 18000.. It does have a heat pump so it will warm and has some nice other features like a very quite fan

so will it really cool better, the jury is still out.

Hi b1Barnes, Thank you for weighing in. Do you have one of the 18K BTU units? Trying to figure out how you came across this information. You are saying the new 18K BTU units are really only pushing 15k BTU's?

[spicyrv]

The new Atwood A/C unit is 15000 BTU. They claim it's the equivalent of a 18000 BTU unit. In speaking with a Forest River rep, he said it cooled better, was quieter and was a heat pump, so it heated, too. The controls also look better than previous units. It also draws fewer amps than previous unit. I don't have one, so I can't confirm, but that's how it's being described.

[b1barnes]

Thanks, SPICYRV.. That is what out was going to say..

[MarkA]

Thanks for input everyone. We factory ordered a 2016 FR3 30DS and expect it the first of April. We'll post our experience with the new A/C and upgrades.

[pkenley]

I'm assuming that sense the heat pump is electric it would also have a LPG furnace as well????