Is temp too hot to drop?

[Phil/Shirl805]

Took new Montana High Country 36' Fifth Wheel out for first real trip to Maryland Eastern Shore. The daytime temp got up to 95 degrees. Our rv was in full direct sun all day (no shade at all). At warmest point of day around 3 pm, temp inside RV was as high as 87 degrees, and that was with the AC running full blast all day. Temp would finally begin dropping around 5 p.m. once sun was lower in sky. By evening, temp was quite cool and comfortable. Is this a common problem that a 15,000 BTU ducted in ceiling A/C unit can't keep up with extreme temperatures and direct sun? We did some temperature checking and there was about a 25 degree difference between the air coming out of the vent and the ambient trailer in the RV. One would think that would be sufficient, but obviously not.

[Paddler]

Full sun, no shade, 95 F and one 15K AC. You did pretty good. In our previous tt, we would have to shut off the front bedroom and place reflective solar shields on all our windows to keep her below 85F during the Florida summers.

Two things you can consider to help your rig get cooler are 1) a second AC unit. Our new Montana has dual air so we can maintain 75 F under the full Florida sun :cool3: and 2) using solar window shields to manage the radiant heat entering the trailer through the window glass. The solar window shields will also keep the rig warmer in the winter.

[Phil/Shirl805]

First, thanks for reply. Is your second Ac ducted in, or does it just dump into bedroom. It a shame we told by dealer that one unit would be sufficient, fornt bedroom might get warm on hot days. What a under statement

[Paddler]

Ours is ducted and operates off a dual zone thermostat. I really like the dual zone system, it allows you to keep the AC noise at the end of the trailer you are not currently using. Well, until about 4 pm when both units fire up for a couple hours.

I highly recommend you look into it. I would imagine your Montana is already wired for 50 AMPS and pre-wired for the second AC unit. I would think the cost plus installation would be around $1K. Makes the camping a whole lot more enjoyable.

[vwalla]

Agree with Paddler. A second AC is a MUST! We can get ours down to icicles in the hottest temps.

[Phil/Shirl805]

Yea, spent rest of the afternoon looking a second air conditioner. Came with a Dometic 15000 BTU. trailer has been pre wired and framed. Guess question at this point , is should I get ducted or non/ducted. Removed vent where ac would go, duct work is only about 6" away and in and would be in line with new unit. Will contact dealer on monday fine out if they can hook up duct ,and wire into thermostat. If not will install myself with non/duct. By the way never had this problem in our 2000 Mallard 26' that we trade in for this fifth wheel.

[Festus2]

Having a significantly larger RV (10 ft longer) and an increased interior volume might account for the difference in your smaller, previous 26 ft Mallard. There might also be an increase in the outside temps - you mentioned 95 degrees - that would be too much for your present A/C to handle in keeping your RV interior temps to a comfortable level.

[Johnnyfry]

Checking in from Rapid City, SD where it was 98 yesterday and scheduled for 102 today. Our 318SAB with one 15kBTU unit was pretty warm in the afternoon and early evening. The deltaT was 25 degrees but it just couldn't keep up until the sun went down.

I think that the solar window shades are a great idea, where are they available? Too bad that the light/dark shades installed are not aluminized as it would be a big help under these conditions.

A couple of fans are a big help, also pulled in the bedroom slide as it was right in the direct sun. Reducing the exposed surface area did help some but not much.

John

[Paddler]

Hi John,
We have gotten our solar shields from Campingworld in the past, but I'm sure other places sell similar products. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/multi-purpose-foil/5818