Community Forums

dnhill · 08-10-2018, 08:19 AM

I have a 2019 Aspire 44R Iris blue color coach. The predominant color is black. I stay in the coach in Southeastern Texas much of the time. During the heat of the day in sunshine, all three air conditioners are on almost constantly. I used a infrared thermometer and some parts of the interior walls close to the ceiling measured 110 degrees on the sunny side. I then went outside and measured the temperature on the side of the coach and the black portions were 160+. Outside temperature was about 95 degrees. The white/blue portions were only about 120 degrees.

I had one air conditioner go out and it was impossible to keep that area below 80 degrees.

The temperature sensor on the front of the coach is close to one of the side walls that radiates heat and the thermostat must be set higher than the ambient air temperature that is wanted.

I love the looks of the colors on the coach, but the black is difficult to cool in hot weather.

plasma800 · 08-10-2018, 08:26 AM

Wow!

sbleiweiss · 08-10-2018, 08:33 AM

Does this really surprise you?

Mr_D · 08-10-2018, 08:36 AM

No surprises there.

palehorse89 · 08-10-2018, 08:37 AM

There has been a start back to lighter color schemes by different manufacture's, but it seems it is slow........lighter color's were very popular year's back, then the dark color's came in........
A member on here custom ordered this color scheme and I really like it, sure would be a lot cooler........My older Mountain Aire is White with desert coloring and works well in the sun and heat. I have been looking to up grade, but it is a challenge to find what I want with the lighter color's.......
The lighter color's are a lot easier to keep looking clean and they done show road grime like the darker color's......
You can't lean against a black auto in the sun with your bare skin, but a white car you can......

dnhill · 08-10-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbleiweiss

Does this really surprise you?

I visited Entegra as the coach was being built and was surprised at the quality and amount of the insulation in the hung walls. So, I hoped for better. Mainly, I wanted to pass along the information for others that were picking colors, to provide some accurate data. Entegra does offer some color combinations that have a lighter base color.

IBDAGRIZ · 08-10-2018, 09:10 AM

No way I'd leave that rig in the open sun all the time here in Tejas. Hell, my 2014 TT is under a covered parking spot to save the outside from the sun.

Griz

cewgcw · 08-10-2018, 09:22 AM

Unless Entegra has changed their colors they do not offer any other top color than black.We ordered a 2017 Cornerstone with the lighter tan top. During the time from ordering and taking delivery they discontinued the color, we did get the last lighter color one produced.We winter in Florida and I can tell you it makes a huge difference in inside temps with the lighter outside color. At all rallys that we attend with Pat Carrol in attendance I always ask if they are going to offer a lighter color and have never received any answer except "it is a numbers game"I am not a painting expert,but I would think if you have to paint it what difference does it make what color it is.I have talked with many owners who would like a lighter color on outside and in.When we decide to trade the colors offered will play a major part in our decision.

EC ANTHEM · 08-10-2018, 09:36 AM

Entegra does have a lighter paint scheme on the 2019 Aspires...

Blondiega1 · 08-10-2018, 09:41 AM

Newmar and Winnebago Grand Tour are about the only ones I've found with lighter colors. Our American Coach is tans and gold and stays pretty cool but after 2015, AC went all dark as well.

buddy110 · 08-10-2018, 10:23 AM

The sidewalls will definitely absorb heat and transfer it through by convection. There are other things which will transfer more causing the efficiency rating of the coach as a whole to plummet into the gates of hell.

One is poor sealing on the windows, which Entegra's, and I'm sure most coaches, are famous for. This past spring temps outside reached 27 degrees. I could feel big drafts around all the windows. These things are junk. To qualify that statement, I am in the window business, so my perspective comes from understanding building science and windows in general. Air is the enemy and these things leak like a sieve.

I complained about my windows to Entegra and they sent me all new windows for the living area. I haven't replaced them yet, but looking at them, it appears they are no better than the original. I may just use some weather stripping in the leaky areas. Have a look at yours. The bulb seals have huge gaps in them, especially where the two windows mull together. If you see light coming through, your windows suck, like mine

Another is the front cab area. I use magna shields and though I like them, they really don't prevent much of the heat from coming through. I bought the complete set, windshield, passenger and drivers windows. I am considering affixing a radiant barrier to them, on the inner half. That will help

Then there is the roof. They use white, which is fine, but why not cover that with a reflective barrier like a silicone top coat in sliver? It make sense to reflect heat before it's absorbed.

Just some thoughts.

Matt D · 08-10-2018, 11:53 AM

Here are a few tips we’ve learned..

If at all possible, park with the tail into the sun. It saves you by having the engine space as a large buffer between you and the sun.

Speaking of engines, if you’ve finished driving for the day, close the rear bath A/C vents, open the roof vent and side window, then close the bathroom door. You aren’t going to prevent the heat gain from the engine, so all you can do is manage it. Closing the bathroom door reduces the SF to be cooled, and somewhat removes the heat gain of the engine from the living area.

Likewise, if you lose an A/C, do not push all the slides out. In fact, the less SF to be cooled, the better. This also applies in very cold weather.

Use your adjustable supply vents. For example, if we are up front, we will close the A/C supply vents in unused areas. The common ducting will result in better air flow (CFM) in the areas you’re occupying.

Minimize the number of door open cycles. In theory this would be great, but we have kids so they are in and out all day.

Cook outside. This really does help. We can easily erase all A/C gains by cooking a Mac-N-Cheese for my son in the microwave. Using the cooktop results in my wife asking if the A/C has quit.

-Matt

Butte64 · 08-10-2018, 02:30 PM

Entegra has had some lighter colors that looked great but not many sold so the colors were not continued. I think dealers are reluctant to put anything out of ordinary in inventory so we continue with the black. I have yet to to see the light color 2019/Aspire at a dealer so it may have to be special order. If I ever get another I will only consider a light color.

Fiesta48 · 08-10-2018, 02:54 PM

My coach is gray, silver, black and white. Amount in that order too. Not totally white nor black, usually can cool with one or 2 A/C s running now.
My A/C s were black. I spray painted them a reflecting silver. Then found the exiting hot side air was being pulled back into the rear of all 3 A/Cs. Causing the units to be inefficient So I made deflectors out of aluminum so that the hot air could not be sucked back in.