I'm currently looking at 2 trailers (16ft bunk house models) that seem to be exactly the same except one has the ac over the dinette/ bed, away from the bunk beds and the other is in the center of the trailer. What in your opinion are the pros and cons of each location? Is one more prone to leakage than the other? In a tiny trailer what would you choose?
In my opinion, If installing one, anything over 18 foot should have a roof type and below 18 foot a window unit wiil work. I have two camping trailers under 17 foot. I put a window units (5000 BTU) in cause it does a good cooling job and the prices are low right now at Walmarts or Targets. Also, window units are easier and cheaper to replace.
My AS (22ft)has a 13.5 roof mounted AC that cost $500.00.
Being one has it on top, buy that one. Depends on price
Here is one issue to consider. A 5,000 btu air conditioner will easily run on a 1600W generator whereas a 13,5000 btu unit typically will not. I might prefer the smaller unit for that reason if it will do the job.
The Colby T is a 15 footer. I have a window unit over the dinette port-side window. I can not compare it to a ceiling mounted, as my previous camper was a pop-up, and they are hard to keep cool. Last weekend at Lockhart SP, it got up to 97%. My window unit on high kept the camper at a constant 75% with no shade. I did use the awning to shade the starboard side of the camper. When the sun went down, the temperature outside stayed in the 80's. I had to put the AC as low as it would go to keep it at 75%. It kept getting too cold.
I have a 19ft TT with a 8,000 btu window unit in it and it does well. What I like about it is I can run the whole trailer at the beach with my 3,000w generator. My other two TTs with the top mount A/C I couldn't do that. Also I have found the top mount A/Cs on a smaller unit 21ish ft or less is too much. I always ended up too cold by the morning. Just my 2.
My 14ft has the center unit. It appears to come with either a center fantastic fan type of fan or center AC. Both types can easily be swapped out depending on customer preference. In my case, it had a fan and DH flat refused to consider anything without AC, so it got swapped out. It is a Dometic model 457915 at 13,500 BTU's.
As to noise, after initial cool down, it stays on medium setting. I can hear the TV fine, since I run the TV through the input of the radio and it comes out of the pair of speakers in the ceiling. (I can also hear it fine with just the TV speakers turned up, but it is easier to make out dialogue with the overhead speakers.) Whether or not it is louder than a side unit, I can't tell. I do know that my bedroom, which is larger than the TT, has a 5,000 BTU unit and I would guess if I put it in the TT, it would sound louder since the room is smaller.
By eyeballing websites of similar 14ft TT's with side units, it appears that having a roof top unit has a couple of advantages. I may be wrong, but my front overhead cabinet appears to be slightly deeper and my side window appears to be slightly bigger than models that have a side AC. I do know that a side unit would be a tight fit.
Another plus to the overhead style is that the air comes out of the front and back side of the AC, which helps with cooling. This might be a plus if the one you are considering has bunks in the back and a bed in the front.
Initially, I had to really play with the air flow direction so it did not blow air on me when I sleep - which I hate - but I can set it so it mostly blows air toward the back of the TT and up to the ceiling over the bed in the front at night.
The only down side is that if it needs replaced, I can't just pop a Lowes/Walmart window unit in it. But, my RV dealer is my brother-in-law, so I am not too worried.
As to generator use - After the massive power outage in June/July, we ran the TT with AC and the house fridge and upright freezer off of a Durostar DS4000S for 6 days.
Bottom line, DH - who could sleep in a meat locker - loves it, and if he is happy, I am happy.
Laura, Rodney, and Elfie the Schnoodle
2012 Dutchmen 814RB; 2011 Dodge 1500 Hemi; 2012 Sun Dolphin Sportsman; 2003 Tracker Targa V-18
One thing to consider is some Campgrounds do not allow window type A/C Units.
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TugCE wrote: One thing to consider is some Campgrounds do not allow window type A/C Units.
First I have heard of this. I don't see a lot of wall or window mounted air conditioners but cant think of reason why a camp ground would have any problems with one...
In my fifth wheel i think i would have a problem with having a roof mounted air conditioner just a short distance above our heads when we are sleeping in the bed. I think that would bother me a lot...
I like the idea of smaller trailers using smaller WALMART type units... We used to bring along a small 5000BTU unit when tent camping and have it setup at the bottom of our second entrance sitting on a wood frame. Worked great either from a generator or tapped into shore power pedestal if you was lucky enough to have a 20AMP service available to you.
* This post was
edited 07/13/12 04:26am by RoyB *
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
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