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08-15-2020, 06:01 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: LA, Lower Alabama
Posts: 2,430
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Better insulated mid range
I'm thinking about getting another 5th wheel that will be used mostly as a cabin on our bay property in NW FL. We currently have the GF's Crusader bunkhouse 5th wheel that with 2 air conditioners struggle in the warmer months. That and the living area is rather small with the back used as the bunk room. What I'm considering is a typical rear living with large window in the rear. The question is which of the mid range 5th wheels have the better insulation and air-conditioning. A couple of years ago I was looking at some 5th wheels and Highland Ridge had an Open Range 3X version with 3" walls. I had a Grand Design Solitude for a short while that had a pretty efficient air conditioning air delivery.
So what I'm considering is a 5+- YO 5th wheel in the 35-39' range. Rear living. Better built meaning better insulation and an efficient HVAC. Also want a usable kitchen space and prefer real queen bed. Looking for suggestions what might work. Want to avoid lite, ultra lite, etc. IAW substantial underpinnings.
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08-16-2020, 05:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Foxboro Ma.
Posts: 1,096
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any RV used in Florida needs insulated windows and the max amount of AC units available from the factory . 30 ~ 35' needs a min of 2 - 15K roof units and larger trailers need 3 AC units.
Any of the trailers build back in 2015 or older that were rated to year round live in should be better insulated. We own a Redwood it fits into the mid range well built. Heartland 365 landmark , the high end ForestRiver Cardinal or cieder creek
__________________
2015 42' Redwood RL38 Morryde IS , disk brakes, 1920W of solar with Victron everything,5 Battleborn, 2024 GMC DRW 3500HD ,60 gallons of fuel in the bed,Hensley BD5 air ride hitch.
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08-17-2020, 07:07 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: LA, Lower Alabama
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xc-mark
any RV used in Florida needs insulated windows and the max amount of AC units available from the factory . 30 ~ 35' needs a min of 2 - 15K roof units and larger trailers need 3 AC units.
Any of the trailers build back in 2015 or older that were rated to year round live in should be better insulated. We own a Redwood it fits into the mid range well built. Heartland 365 landmark , the high end ForestRiver Cardinal or cieder creek
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Our setup has a 200amp main power box and 100 amp services going to 3 hookup sites. Due to other things we did only 2 can be used currently. 2 15K a/c will be used and maybe adding window awnings and such. I'd love to find dual pane windows but they are rare except for certain brands or special orders. For single pane windows I'll look into reflective tint film. BUT the big issue is a HVAC system properly constructed with proper materials. Her Crusader 5th wheel is ducted for the main air but the ducting is not very efficient based on how much and how cold the air is. Basically you can't fix crappy construction and that unfortunately is what most are. I have no time frame and not rushed so I'll also consider something 10-15YO to get a good one,
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08-17-2020, 01:28 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,345
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ive been of the opinion if ya need 3 AC somethings wrong. 5 year old rv look at the 35-5 artic fox, excel, a Travel Supreme, Lifestyle but get more info on frame details there was one by titan that was junk. I would say Newmar but they quit fivers in 2012. Of course new horizon but there not mid range. better have 450 or better to move it.
Florida is warm so is the mid south. my rig dont need 3 ac and neither did my newmar. and they fought off the heat no prob
__________________
08 GMC C-4500 w/Custom bed. 8.1L
45ft 2007 Teton Reliance Experience XT-4
TSLB Trailer Saver w/ 3rd airbag
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08-22-2020, 06:43 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Damon Owners Club Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by consolenut
ive been of the opinion if ya need 3 AC somethings wrong. 5 year old rv look at the 35-5 artic fox, excel, a Travel Supreme, Lifestyle but get more info on frame details there was one by titan that was junk. I would say Newmar but they quit fivers in 2012. Of course new horizon but there not mid range. better have 450 or better to move it.
Florida is warm so is the mid south. my rig dont need 3 ac and neither did my newmar. and they fought off the heat no prob
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Well, we live in Texas. Our past 40’ DP had two roof units. Our new Cardinal Luxury has 3 roof units.
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08-22-2020, 10:37 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 1
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We have a Grand Design Solitude 344GK that is considered their mid-range model. At 37 ft. we have a 15k BTU rear A/C and a 13K up front. We live in Vacaville CA where summer time temps are anywhere from high 90's to 115+. Even on hot days we have no issues maintaining 78-80 degree inside temp. Typically anything less than mid 90's allows us to get away with running only one A/C. That said we put reflectix in some of the larger windows...it made a noticeable difference.
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08-23-2020, 11:10 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2,984
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I don't live in the hot south but have spent time there in summer. Our old 26' Dutchmen TT was fine in central FL in the August heat, could easily get 70F temps inside at all times. It only had 1 rooftop 15k BTU unit.
Our current rig has a single Carrier 15k BTU rooftop unit and haven't found a place where it was insufficient. It can be a bit warmer in the front bedroom vs the rear living or dining area, but traps can be configured to cure that.
Double pane windows might help a bunch. Better quality rigs are surely well insulated vs the typical "wood-stick" built lite and ultralight units. Get something with a welded aluminium frame and you will probablt get a better built unit.
__________________
2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD gas 6.0 dually
1994 K1500 Suburban shop mule and plow truck
2006 Lakota 29RKT 5th wheel
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08-23-2020, 01:59 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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IMO, any mass produced 5th wheels over 35' need a third AC and dual pane windows. My 2019 Solitude has 2 15K btu AC and single pane windows and struggles to cool in 95F with both awnings deployed and one shade tree. Grand Design now offers a 3rd AC option. I understand Forest River Riverstone has 3" sidewalls and is easier to cool. Alliance RV includes 3 AC units on all their 5th wheels.
__________________
2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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08-23-2020, 02:38 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,345
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If ya need 3 AC you need more RV. better insulation windows build quality etc. Just my opinion.
__________________
08 GMC C-4500 w/Custom bed. 8.1L
45ft 2007 Teton Reliance Experience XT-4
TSLB Trailer Saver w/ 3rd airbag
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08-23-2020, 03:12 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2,984
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Quote:
Originally Posted by consolenut
If ya need 3 AC you need more RV. better insulation windows build quality etc. Just my opinion.
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I agree! If I had to have 3 A/C units on my RV I'd quit camping and rent a hotel room instead.
__________________
2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD gas 6.0 dually
1994 K1500 Suburban shop mule and plow truck
2006 Lakota 29RKT 5th wheel
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