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05-23-2016, 08:48 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,054
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Air Conditioner Sizing 13.5 vs 15
Newbie question, my efforts at searching didn't find this question asked before...
I'm looking for a new trailer in the 26-foot size. 99% of the time it will just be for 2 people. Most of the units I have come across have 13.5K BTU air conditioners with an option to upgrade to a 15K unit. What are the issues with one over the other? I am planning to do a tour of the country, so some longer trips to both hot and cool areas. Thoughts and recommendations appreciated.
Al 
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05-23-2016, 09:03 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 2,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SailorSam
Newbie question, my efforts at searching didn't find this question asked before...
I'm looking for a new trailer in the 26-foot size. 99% of the time it will just be for 2 people. Most of the units I have come across have 13.5K BTU air conditioners with an option to upgrade to a 15K unit. What are the issues with one over the other? I am planning to do a tour of the country, so some longer trips to both hot and cool areas. Thoughts and recommendations appreciated.
Al
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I would go bigger, you can always turn the A/C down if its too cold. Youll enjoy the extra cooling if your traveling in the desert southwest.
__________________
2005 Tiffin Allegro Bay 37DB
W22 Workhorse Chassis 8.1 Flat Towing a 82 Jeep CJ7
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05-23-2016, 09:12 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Posts: 2,613
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Are the trailers wired for 50 AMP or 30 AMP electricity?
If they are wired for 30 AMP you might have problems running other electrical appliances if you go with the 15K unit.
Personally after having a 26' class A motorhome wired for 30 AMP with a 13.5K unit and living in the south I won't buy another one.
Our coach now is a 35' Class A 50 AMP and I have upgraded the ac's to 15k.
Jon
__________________
Jon & Sue Francis (Retired U.S.A.F.)
Lil Girl-Rescued, Abby Rescued, Peaches Rescued
06 Allegro 35TSA Workhorse Chassis
2013 Chevy Spark Dinghy
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05-23-2016, 09:54 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 203
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Bigger is better, yes size matters. RVs are hard to keep cool in warmer, sunny climates. Class A's are the worse was with all the glass but towables can be a challenge. If cost isn't the issue, do it.
__________________
2011 Itasca Sunova 33C, 2001 Acura MDX, DW and her 2 Barbiedogs
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05-23-2016, 10:36 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,848
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Simple.........
Go with the 15K option/upgrade
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05-23-2016, 10:43 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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When we ordered our 40' Dutch Star I purposely got the 13.5 heat pumps knowing that the Newmar was well insulated, had dual pane windows plus an extra roof insulation package. We did just fine with one running in Yuma in 95° weather. BUT the Newmars are better insulated than most and I wanted to be able to run both on 30 amps if necessary.
However, going bigger will only hurt if they short cycle from being too large. But, better to have too much cooling than not enough! Go with the 15's I think you'll be happier that way.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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05-24-2016, 06:39 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 680
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We recently upgraded travel trailers from a 19' to a 26' and our new Bullet came with the optional 15k A/C. It does cool better. The Bullet has a 30 amp circuit and at one campground so far we tripped the campground pedestal 30 amp breaker a couple of times when the A/C was running and I believe my wife used the microwave at the same time. While I have not tried it yet, I'm also doubtful that my 2400 watt Yamaha inverter generator will run the 15k unit. It did run the 13.5k unit fine after I put a hard start capacitor on the A/C.
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05-24-2016, 08:11 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Waynesville Georgia
Posts: 1,307
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No Dought, the 15m, here in Southern Georgia/Fl. the dealer we use only orders unit with 15m units for stock. Nothing unusual for 100 deg days here. We have 30 amp,service and had no proplems !
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Lovin Our Grey Wolf 26RL !! Jim & Pat
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05-24-2016, 08:22 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 10
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Another consideration: 13.5K can probably run off a 2K genny, whereas a 15K may need a larger wattage genny.
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05-24-2016, 05:11 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,054
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Thanks to all. Other than the generator issue, sounds like the 15k option is the winner. Worst case, I'll have to get a pair of generators to run it if I'm bushwhacking.
Al
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05-25-2016, 12:40 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 405
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SailorSam
Newbie question, my efforts at searching didn't find this question asked before...
I'm looking for a new trailer in the 26-foot size. 99% of the time it will just be for 2 people. Most of the units I have come across have 13.5K BTU air conditioners with an option to upgrade to a 15K unit. What are the issues with one over the other? I am planning to do a tour of the country, so some longer trips to both hot and cool areas. Thoughts and recommendations appreciated.
Al
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Also consider that most CG'S are kitted out with 30A not 50A service. So that should also be a consideration. We have a 13k A/c and so far it's cooled it nicely. But of course you need hook up.. unless your like the cool guys on here that have generators and stuff when boondocking.
__________________
___________________
2016 Lance 1995
2016 RAM 1500 Laramie Longhorn (Custom)
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05-25-2016, 07:02 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Braselton, Georgia
Posts: 1,287
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Bigger is better. We have a ducted 15K AC unit on our Winnie Minnie 2201DS. It cools that smaller trailer down in just a few minutes. We camp in the South so AC is rather important during the Summer months.
__________________
2016 Winnebago 2201DS Champagne
2015 Ford F-150 XLT FX4 5.0
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05-25-2016, 09:08 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Waynesville Georgia
Posts: 1,307
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Matrix
You know i love watching your entrance into the TT comunity, and i/us will do all we can do help you !
If you could have , you should have upgraded to the 15m unit ! I know you have an high end unit, and are up there in the "Great White North " and probably have a very well insulated unit ! But some day (hopefully ) you will visit us in the southern US, summertime highs 100's no problem, just hope to get a campsite in the shade !!!!!
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Lovin Our Grey Wolf 26RL !! Jim & Pat
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05-25-2016, 09:13 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Waynesville Georgia
Posts: 1,307
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Matris
One More Thing !!
I am Jim, my wife is Pat !
Keep Matrix if you want (maybe i missed something ) But if i may ask !!!!
WHAT IS YOU NAME !!!
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Lovin Our Grey Wolf 26RL !! Jim & Pat
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