An AC question

[rvethereyet]

How much AC is needed (psf) in a quality motor home. I know outside temps in summer time range greatly. We are not planning on being in the desert in the summer. Please share How much ac is needed in your RV in order for you to be comfortable.As well as general outside temps.

[Gary RVRoamer]

A typical 32-40 ft motorhome with slides will be 300-360 sq ft and have 27,000-30,000 btus of a/c and probably be no more than adequate. Works out to be around 90 btu per square ft. That's a LOT more than a similar size stick house would need, at least 2x.

I'm not sure what or why you are asking - you don't get a lot of choice. Most motorhomes up to about 40 ft have two a/c units of 13,500-15,000 btus each. Larger ones get three. Sometimes those on the smaller end (or very low priced) get by with a 13,500 plus a 11,000 or even an 8500 btu unit.

[MSHappyCampers]

If you will be spending much time in the south or west, you will always want more than you've got! Try to get 15K A/C's on whatever rig you buy!

[Scottybdivin]

Better to have it and not need it than .............

We run all 3 AC's when we camp in Texas summer heat. With a very well insulated coach they do pretty well but they have to work hard.

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

A typical 32-40 ft motorhome with slides will be 300-360 sq ft and have 27,000-30,000 btus of a/c and probably be no more than adequate. Works out to be around 90 btu per square ft. That's a LOT more than a similar size stick house would need, at least 2x.

I'm not sure what or why you are asking - you don't get a lot of choice. Most motorhomes up to about 40 ft have two a/c units of 13,500-15,000 btus each. Larger ones get three. Sometimes those on the smaller end (or very low priced) get by with a 13,500 plus a 11,000 or even an 8500 btu unit.

Gary, Thanks for the reply. The reason I ask the question is I would hate to buy an RV to find out after purchase I need more ac. It is no fun traveling and being hot. I have looked at the range of high end RVs and buses. Most have 2 ac systems (roof and dash ac) some have as many as 4 ac systems ( roof,dash,Cruise air and Over The Road air. Not having much experience with MHs I wanted to hear from those who have the experience so when I buy I buy enough and so I wont over buy. How much is enough from your experience. Thanks

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

If you will be spending much time in the south or west, you will always want more than you've got! Try to get 15K A/C's on whatever rig you buy!

Joe
Thanks for the help. Do you stay comfortable is the summer with what you have? And how much ac do you have? While we "plan" on traveling with the seasons plans are always subject to change. I dont want to be sweating no matter where I go.

[cruzbill]

It gets hot in any motorhome. The 'count' is for 'house' AC units, dash air is not in the count, and 'over the road' AC, is, I guess, the combination of House AC units and dash air. There just aren't any other AC units on a MH. Basement air, once popular, is 'counted' as a house AC unit.
Lots of people will run the generator and two house AC units along with the dash AC en route to another campground. That way, the bedroom and kitchen is cool when you reach your destination. Look at the Prevost models with 5 house AC units.

[charliej]

I live in Texas, so I needed two units for my 36 ft MH. The main thing I looked for when shopping for a MH is that it had 50 amp service, and not 30 amp, so that I could run both units.

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by Scottybdivin

Better to have it and not need it than .............

We run all 3 AC's when we camp in Texas summer heat. With a very well insulated coach they do pretty well but they have to work hard.

Scotty
I agree with having something I don t need than not having it and needing it. Good to know that 3 roof ac s can do the job.

[cruzbill]

One other thing, sometimes the 2nd or 3rd house AC unit is optional. If the unit you are looking at has a 30a cord, it may be expensive to add a 2nd AC unit as the RV is not prewired for it. Likewise an RV with a 50a cord and two AC for example, adding a 3rd AC is not generally a problem as they are probably prewired for the third AC.

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by cruzbill

It gets hot in any motorhome. The 'count' is for 'house' AC units, dash air is not in the count, and 'over the road' AC, is, I guess, the combination of House AC units and dash air. There just aren't any other AC units on a MH. Basement air, once popular, is 'counted' as a house AC unit.
Lots of people will run the generator and two house AC units along with the dash AC en route to another campground. That way, the bedroom and kitchen is cool when you reach your destination. Look at the Prevost models with 5 house AC units.

Thanks for the help cruz. Over The Road air is a system unto itself. Capable of cooling the entire coach by itself. It does not run on the generator but off the engine. You find OTR ac on high end buses. I do not want to be hot.

So how do you stay cool if it get hot in any motor home? How much ac will it take to stay cool?

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by cruzbill

One other thing, sometimes the 2nd or 3rd house AC unit is optional. If the unit you are looking at has a 30a cord, it may be expensive to add a 2nd AC unit as the RV is not prewired for it. Likewise an RV with a 50a cord and two AC for example, adding a 3rd AC is not generally a problem as they are probably prewired for the third AC.

Yep I probably will only consider a 50a for this reason

[TonyDi]

My 43 footer has 2-15 k AC units. It has always been comfortable in it. However we don't camp in Death Valley in the summer either. Things like insulation and double pane windows do make a difference.

[Mr_D]

I have 3 - 15k heat pumps, the dash air and OTR air in the bedroom. Seems to be sufficient so far.