2nd AC Raises Height to 13_4

[troutchasers]

I've been told by our dealer that Keystone has informed them that the 2nd AC raises our height to 13 feet 4 inches. Anyone venture an opinion as to the merits of going this route VS getting a low profile installed after delivery. We are stumped on this one.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

[southern thunder]

I measured my 2012 3000RK using a straight edge a level and of course a 25' tape. My unit measured 13 foot. I don't know what kind of second air was added in the front.

[NCFischers]

I just measured mine on and off the truck. It measured 12' 11 1/2". I have the full size AC in front.

[southern thunder]

I did measure mine on the truck.

[pineranch]

I have the coleman/(whatever) high profile on the front. I measured 13' 1/2" on the truck. With it on my 250 (20" wheels), it was 13' 3".
Mike

[Art-n-Marge]

I think this depends on the model year of the rig. I have a 2006 and there is a very noticeable downward slope over the front cap and where the bedroom opening is located which means when an A/C is mounted over the bedroom, this slope helps that the height is not impacted as much as it would on the newer model rigs that have a flatter roof (no downward slope).

So the angle of the roof has something to do with how much the A/C adds in height. A low profile A/C would help reduce the height gain even more since they are not as tall but if the new rig has a flat roof at point of the rig where you mount the 2nd A/C you'll be adding whatever the height of the A/C unit. You do have to worry about this when traveling and hitched on your TV so that's the best time to measure the highest point on the rig. Then if you use airbags, hit bouncy roads you might get just a tiny, little bit more height. Then you also have to wish that the height for an underpass is not impacted by repaving.

This is the price that's paid for the beefier, taller interiors for our trailers. At last check, my trailer was under 12' 6" (a 2nd full size A/C would add about 2" at last check, a low profile would add no height) and that's almost a foot lower overall than these newer models!

This is another reason I will try and avoid larger tires for my rig that might raise the overall height. Just another precaution to think about. And again, my Monty is a foot lower than the newer (and heavier) rigs.

[DQDick]

We're 13'6" with the front AC from the factory. I don't think 2" or so lower will make any difference going down the road in most cases. I don't know if there is any difference in output or efficiency, but last summer in the 113 degree heat I was glad ours was the same size as the one in the living room.

[troutchasers]

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

We're 13'6" with the front AC from the factory. I don't think 2" or so lower will make any difference going down the road in most cases. I don't know if there is any difference in output or efficiency, but last summer in the 113 degree heat I was glad ours was the same size as the one in the living room.

Dick... do you travel interstates or mostly 2ndary roads? I hear conflicting info on this issue. Our plan is to stay off the interstates, but that might not always be possible. Thanks!

[Clemson1881]

Look guys, this is a no brainer. The new Montanas come prewired for the second A/C that will plug right up to the Dometic Penquin low profile. It will work with your factory wall thermostat and temp sensor. It will blow right into the ducted system also. The installation is a breeze as all connections are plug and run. You don't even have to strip any wires! It will be exactly like a factory installed unit. Also the penquin comes in a 13,500 BTU if you would like to be able to run it with a smaller generator at times, or you can opt for the 15,000 BTU version to offer the same cooling as your back unit. There is even a heat pump model if you want that. I'm not putting down anyone's regular profile units at all. But if I knew then what I know now I would have added the Penquin instead of the Carrier Low Profile I got. My Carrier was originally installed to freeblow and it didn't work in that configuration at all for me. Spent money to have it switched to ducted and then it went out inside of two years(compressor failure). They did send me a 15,000 BTU to replace it under warranty. When I replaced it I saw how simple it would have been to have originally installed a Dometic A/C with the built in electronic controls. All there is to it is plug in a phone type plug and the A/C harness that was right there! We had to have 12 volt power ran to the unit for the Carrier to work ducted. Anyway, the Montanas are all ready to receive the Penquin with Electronic Controls built in. Save the extra few inches just in case. American RV Company has great prices on the Penquins online. I know this because I almost bought one until Carrier Warranty came through at the last minute. If you go this route don't let a dealer sell you one with the analog controls. You need the built in electronic controls to match your wall thermostat. Hope this helps someone.

[1retired06]

We have two of the standard coleman's on our rig, and have had no problems in our travels. If you have not purchased and are concerned, the low profile will give you a few inches of comfort.

[DQDick]

Dick... do you travel interstates or mostly 2ndary roads? I hear conflicting info on this issue. Our plan is to stay off the interstates, but that might not always be possible. Thanks!
[/quote]

We do both. Asked our daughter for a truckers atlas for an anniversary present last year. She got one at Flying J. When we are going back roads we check the route with the restricted routes in the front of the atlas. So far we've never encountered a low bridge situation on any route we were planning to take, but we have changed routes due to length and steepness of grades before and once because of hair pin turns. Between the maxi cab and the overall 57' length we don't turn real sharply.

[36truck]

If you in NEW England states WATCH you hieghts. LOTS of LOW bridges out there. Way under 13' high.

[snfexpress]

We ordered our unit, a 2009 Big Sky 340 RLQ with the rear full height A/C and our contract required the dealer to install a low-profile Dometic Penguin A/C in the front.

When our unit was delivered, it had a full-size factory installed A/C unit. We did not want this and insisted that the dealer replace it with a Penguin.

With the front A/C our height is 13' 3" - and yes, it was a simple plug and play installation as I had to replace it since it was defective from the dealer (Oklahoma City) and we were in Tampa, Fl. In fact, the hardest part of replacing it was getting it up on to the roof and the old one down to the ground.

[TheJeep]

We have the Penquin low profile on the front and our height is 13' 4". One A/C is not enough IMO so we added it when we bought our Montana. Very happy we added it.

[Champ_49]

The height thing is also relevant to the height of the tow vehicle. Lower profile trucks versus the higher profile trucks can change that over all height by sometimes up to 6". I have noticed also that the newer trucks have higher box sides which requires the trailer be higher. All this has to be taken into consideration. I ordered a 2 nd air and when I got it, it had the standard unit on it. Was not pleased with myself for not being smart enough to tell the dealer I wanted the low profile unit. But with my 2000 F-350 I found I am actually 13' exactly because my dually is a low profile 2 wheel drive. So it has turned out of for us.

Dave

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

We had the dealer add a second unit when we bought our Montana in 2007. As newbies at the time, we didn't even know that low-profile units were available. Our rig measures 13'6" (hitched height) at the site of the AC now, which makes for some tense moments now and then. If we had it to do over, we'd definitely go with a low-profile AC.

Carolyn
2007 3585SA

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by 36truck

If you in NEW England states WATCH you hieghts. LOTS of LOW bridges out there. Way under 13' high.

You are exactly right, but in most cases a low profile AC won't help. We'd need a low profile Monty

[Flymutt]

Isn't it amazing what we learn AFTER we buy one of these things? Prospective Monty buyers would do well to join this forum BEFORE purchasing their first 5er. Thanks for this forum...it's a lifesaver for sure!

[troutchasers]

Greg.... Thank you for that invaluable information!
Dick... Thanks. Your comment about a low profile Monty makes sense.

If I'm understanding this right I'm not actually going to know my height until AFTER I hook up my new Monty to the F350 4X. I COULD end up being taller than the 13'4" I'm being told. AND... even if I get a low profile A/C, I may end up at 13'4".

Sounds like, with Gregs info, I may be better served holding off on the $695 2nd A/C option, measuring my Monty once rolling and then make the decision on the 2nd A/C??

Cheers!

Robert & Kerri

[1retired06]

Once thing is for sure, that second AC is nice to have!