Newbie needing help with an AC unit.

[midget777]

We are new to all this. We bought a used TT a 26 foot Salem LE used. It was a great deal, and we loved it the first couple of times we used, but the last time got a little warm. I am looking at putting in a 15000 BTU AC unit. This is the one I am looking at.
Coleman HP2 Heat Pump 15000 btu RV Roof Air Conditioner Complete ..
I am not sure I totally understand what a heat pump does, would it be usefull?

I also ordered a champion generator from costco, so I can take it back if I don,t like it.

Any advice or help?

Thanks!!!

[deaton]

The differene between a straight air conditioner and a heat pump is that the later can be used both to cool your trailer and for heat. In cold weather, the unit essentially functions in reverse, warming the air in the trailer and "pumping" the cold air to the outside. However, the efficiency of this operation decreases as the ambient outside temperature drops and heat pumps tend to peter out in really cold conditions. So you can't rely on this to replace your furnace.

That said, 15,000 BTU's of cooling in a 26 foot trailer should be a big improvement over no a/c at all.

Most commonly, coach air conditioners are 13,500 BTU (in my limited experience) so when you get one that is 15,000, that might be considered oversized and that's not a bad thing. I had 13.5's on my first coach and I have 15's on this new coach and I appreciate the greater capacity.

As for the generator, I'm not familiar with the champion, but I have seen folks using a Honda in this application and for reliability and low sound levels, that brand would probably be superior, although more expensive - likely around $1k.

[skipwil]

Hi & WELCOME to the Forum.
I would think a 15k A/C unit would cool your TT nicely. I've never had an a/c with the heat strip tho. It's better to have too much than hear it run all the time. Honda or Yamaha generators are really quiet. Most of the others are more noisy in a camp ground.
Again WELCOME and keep us up to date on your travels.

[midget777]

Thanks for all the great advice. Most of the time we use our trailer will be boon docking, so a noisy generator won't be the end of the world. I did research and find the specs for the generator I purchased is 68 db. I looked at a Yamaha at a local trailer store and it was rated to 61 db. Not too much I think.

At the trailer store they had a carrier 15000 BTU, but the salesman said that carrier no longer makes AC units. Would that concern any of you? How often do you need parts for your unit?

Thanks for all the great input!!

[RVhauler]

Carrier is usually well made but I have reservations about buying anything that is no longe manufactured. Some common usuage parts would be available at parts houses. I would venture a guess that most RV AC units will operate with little or no repair for 10-12 years if properly maintained