15,000BTU AC Units?????

iflyskyhigh · 07-02-2010, 04:35 PM

The dealer is telling me that the unit I'm looking at has the upgraded 15,000BTU AC units front and back. But I can't even find that listed as on option in the Berkshire literature.

I really need 15,000BTU units as my motor home will eventually make it back to the desert southwest. Plus this is a BIG coach for the 13,500 units to handle.

Anyone know what the skinny on this is? I have asked to see the build sheet, but still haven't gotten a look at it. Are they feeding me a line of crap or does anyone else have the 15,000BTU units?

Also I have noticed a lot of the other coaches use the Carrier model of AC, but the Berkshire uses the Dometic. Anyone have any opinions for experiences with the two brands?

NWJeeper · 07-02-2010, 04:45 PM

I believe the optional low profile ACs are the lower 13500 units, standard is the 15000. Definately you want 2 units. As for which brand, I have had both and don't see a big advantage either way, they both cool well.

I made the mistake of ordering our rig with only one figuring that most of our camping (say 90%) is done in times when we need heat not AC. I didn't want to carry that extra 70lbs down the road for 90% of the time for no use. Wow, what a mistake when we hit hot temperatures. It's miserable and the one can't keep up with the full body paint on our 37' rig.

iflyskyhigh · 07-02-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWJeeper

I believe the optional low profile ACs are the lower 13500 units, standard is the 15000. Definately you want 2 units. As for which brand, I have had both and don't see a big advantage either way, they both cool well.

I made the mistake of ordering our rig with only one figuring that most of our camping (say 90%) is done in times when we need heat not AC. I didn't want to carry that extra 70lbs down the road for 90% of the time for no use. Wow, what a mistake when we hit hot temperatures. It's miserable and the one can't keep up with the full body paint on our 37' rig.

It has 2 units, but like you said, I'm almost 100% positive they are the 13,500BTU units because I can't find anything anywhere that talks about the 15,000BTU units even being an option. I didn't climb up on the roof to look, but I think they are the low profile ones, which as you said I guess means they are the 13,500BTU units.

That really pisses me off! These guys are so shady! They will tell you anything to make the sale, even if it's a flat out lie.

I figured the Dometic's and Carriers were similar. They are probably built with the same parts. My Cougar has the Dometic and it works great, but I have only had it for a month. The Carriers look nicer inside, but I'm really anal about little things like that.

DOUGRAINER · 07-02-2010, 05:30 PM

1. You cannot tell by looking at AC units what size they are. You MUST have the model number. They make 15k in both low profile Penguin and Brisk air. The 5th digit will tell you if it is a 15k--- Penguin--630515----5 will be 13.5k
630516----6 will be the 15K

Brisk Air--- 57915----5 13k
Brisk Air 57516----6--15k

If you have the choice, go with Dometic. Carrier has exited the RV market. So in the future, there will be limited support and parts on Carrier RV AC units. Doug

cfsoistman · 07-02-2010, 05:31 PM

The only thing I see in Standard Features and Options is the 13,500 BTU AC w/ Heat Pump and Drain. I don't see anywhere that a 15,000 BTU Unit is offered. Now they are available on a Charleston but don't see them on a Berkshire. I'd call Forest River and ask them directly. They may offer but didn't include it in their brochure or web-site.

iflyskyhigh · 07-02-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOUGRAINER

1. You cannot tell by looking at AC units what size they are. You MUST have the model number. They make 15k in both low profile Penguin and Brisk air. The 5th digit will tell you if it is a 15k--- Penguin--630515----5 will be 13.5k
630516----6 will be the 15K

Brisk Air--- 57915----5 13k
Brisk Air 57516----6--15k

If you have the choice, go with Dometic. Carrier has exited the RV market. So in the future, there will be limited support and parts on Carrier RV AC units. Doug

Thanks Doug. I will check next time I go over to the dealership. The Berkshire has the Dometic units.

iflyskyhigh · 07-02-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfsoistman

The only thing I see in Standard Features and Options is the 13,500 BTU AC w/ Heat Pump and Drain. I don't see anywhere that a 15,000 BTU Unit is offered. Now they are available on a Charleston but don't see them on a Berkshire. I'd call Forest River and ask them directly. They may offer but didn't include it in their brochure or web-site.

That's the same thing I was looking at.

Good idea. I will call next week when the open back up after the 4th.

kvtaylor · 07-02-2010, 06:30 PM

Our Georgetown was ordered with a 15,000 in front and the standard 13500 in the rear. I checked the model no and the 15,000 was installed at the factory when it was being built.

iflyskyhigh · 07-02-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kvtaylor

Our Georgetown was ordered with a 15,000 in front and the standard 13500 in the rear. I checked the model no and the 15,000 was installed at the factory when it was being built.

Thank you for the info. I will check the model number for sure next time.

I hate to think the dealer would flat out lie to me, but on the other hand I guess it's kind of what you expect.

AllenCrabtree · 07-25-2010, 12:44 PM

Any update? I have a Berkshire with dual 13.5 Dometics and it is NOT enough and I am not in the desert. Currently down in El Dorado, AR visiting family and it is 95. Both units running non-stop and barely bearable. I would be very interested in upgrading at least the front unit to a 15 if that is possible. Wish I had known it was an option when I ordered mine.

tmmar · 07-25-2010, 12:58 PM

When I purchased my Berkshire, they offered the 15000 btu as an option for the front AC only. Don't know if they changed that since the '08 model came out.

AllenCrabtree · 07-25-2010, 01:11 PM

My is a 2010 and it was not offered or I would have definitely taken it. My are Dometics and they are low profile so I guess they are penguins. I am going to get some prices for swapping out my front unit with the larger 15k btu unit. Does that combination work for you in hot weather or should I upgrade both front and back to 15's?

tmmar · 07-25-2010, 01:18 PM

I don't want to skirt the issue, but it of course depends on the outside temp and whether or not you close off the back area from the front. If it is not extremely hot and you keep all the doors open, it is fine. But I definitely would upgrade the front A/C.

cfsoistman · 07-25-2010, 01:31 PM

I see now on the website on the Georgetowns it's an option for the front AC.

Georgetown Motorhomes Optional Features

As for the Berkshires I don't see it yet. Maybe they haven't gotten around to upgrading that info.

AllenCrabtree · 07-25-2010, 02:44 PM

Any idea how much it would cost to swap a 13.5 out for a 15?

tmmar · 07-25-2010, 02:48 PM

I couldn't say for sure but I would guess, probably around $1000. That's having someone do the installation.

AllenCrabtree · 07-25-2010, 04:04 PM

The best price I have found on a 15k btu penguin heat pump is $1049 just for the unit...

wnytaxman · 07-25-2010, 08:01 PM

We have a 2011 and I agree that the A/C's aren't heavy enough to handle the heat. We were in Branson a few weeks ago and the temps were in upper 90's and the units weren't able to handle it. If there would have been an option for the 15's I would have taken them. While we were driving we had the chassis A/C's cranking along with both units and it was still warmer than we would have liked.

Ed

AllenCrabtree · 07-26-2010, 09:53 AM

I have checked the model numbers on my two units and have the following:

Rear: 641515
Front: 651515

from the part numbers that are both 13.5k BTU... no surprise from our discussions but what was a surprise to me is that fact that ONLY the front unit is a heat pump. The rear is ONLY an A/C. Is that consistent with you other Berkshire owners? It was a surprise to me. I just assumed that they were both heat pumps. Will the front heat pump be enough to heat the entire coach or do I need to upgrade both the front and back units?

iflyskyhigh · 07-26-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllenCrabtree

Any update? I have a Berkshire with dual 13.5 Dometics and it is NOT enough and I am not in the desert. Currently down in El Dorado, AR visiting family and it is 95. Both units running non-stop and barely bearable. I would be very interested in upgrading at least the front unit to a 15 if that is possible. Wish I had known it was an option when I ordered mine.

Allen,

I decided not to buy the RV at this time, but I did confirm that they were in fact the 15,000BTU units that were installed.

So I'm sure you could get your unit refitted with the higher BTU units if you want to pony up the money.

Ryan

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