2nd air conditioner

[snowhawk2]

No doubt spend the money. I didn't when I bought my 2010 3750 FL and I had to install the second unit. With 5 side outs, and 39', it was too much real estate to cool. When it was 90 plus out it really struggled to get below 80. When we put the second unit in, what a HUGE difference it made and now we can keep our coach at 72 if we want even in high heat. You won't regret the second unit and the dur therm works great with two zones.

[KiwiRVer]

We have one and are very glad we do. We only occasionally have both running when it is really hot and we have 50A but it is also good to cool the bedroom down before bed and we can also angle the outlet from the edroom so that it comes down the hallway a bit when it is not too hot which is better for listening to TV in the living room.

If possible I would ask if you can get the low profile unit as ours is the standard which puts the height of the rig up to 13'6" which is getting very close to some bridges especially in Detroit.

[CORattler]

DW and I have decided to get a 2nd A/C for the bedroom. After all, we bought this rig for comfort, not to sweat in.

[kylec2]

We had a second unit installed when we purchased our unit and have never regretted it. As stated, if you already have a 50 amp service there should be no issues. When the weather is less than the 100+ degree temps we get here in Texas we use the front unit to rapidly cool down the trailer after a day of driving and turn it off for the night.

It is good to have options!

[gingrass]

I have a 2008 3500RL. I am wanting to add a 2nd AC in the MBR. I get the feeling that its possible to buy an interior housing that will allow me to backfeed my existing duct work. I like the idea of running the BR in the evenings when I watch TV. I see the 110VAC junction box, but wonder where they hide the communication cable to my dual zone thermostat, is it under the vent housing?

I tend to ramble but here are my questions in a more direct fashion.

Where can I find one of these housings to backfeed existing vents?
Where should I look for the low voltage control cable (from the thermostat)

[jimcol]

You order the interior housing based on your desire for duct or non duct. When I did mine there was no thermostat wire and I believe others have reported the same. As I went non duct and always run the fan on continuous when cooling to prevent freeze ups I saw no need to try and control off the thermostat. Jim

[HOOK]

$800 is a good price.

[Art-n-Marge]

$800 is a great price if that includes they run a control wire for dual thermostat controls and also tap into the ducting. When I bought my rig, I didn't even think about the second air since it was a beautiful and cool March day (DOH!) in Southern California. I've since realized there is a LOT of air space to cool down in these large Montanas when it's 90 to 100 degrees out there.

My rig has the Second A/C prep which is pretty much a junction box with 110-120v. No wire to the thermostat and no ducting and we'll be okay with a drop in if we ever buy the second one if we increase our summertime outings. For now, NO outings in summer heat to warm places.

[WeBeFulltime]

In my opinion...a must have!

[Rainer]

A good friend how I've been camping with for a number of years purchased a Cougar fifth wheel a couple of years ago. Last year we travelled from Southern California to Oregon, both the coast and inland. The coast was cool, but inland was 100°. Since his unit is a 30amp unit, he was bemoaning the fact that he didn't have an AC in the bedroom. When I purchased our Monte in April, I had a second AC installed knowing that all of our major trips leave the cool of the west coast, and that if we were to sleep in comfort we'd need a cool bedroom.

On Monday we will leave our home for the first major odyssey with our new Monte, and if experience is any teacher, the Southwest, South, and Midwest will all be tests for our AC units!

If your Monte is ported and wired for a second AC, and you're not on the West Coast, then I highly recommend one. Camping World currently has a sale on them.

[sailer]

I just bought a low profile Dometic from familyrv.com in new port Richie, FL for 699.00 out the door . as we only live 180 miles away I picked it up from him . No freight . These are brand new in the box
sailer

[davidfrafaly]

I agree with all of the YES responses BUT one thing to consider is the added height of the unit. Our 3100RL went from a listed height of 12' 9" to an actual height of 13' 4". If I were ordering I would verify added height for clearances. Maybe consider a lower profile unit.

[BusyCarol]

We didn't get one in our purchase because my husband didn't feel we would need one. I think now he has changed his mind. Ours is AC prepped/ducted(although I can't find the duct)/wired for one. Now the question is which one. I want low profile but our dealership says it is not necessary. I disagree...I don't like the height constraint! Evidently Dometic has some new models, some with heat pumps and some without so it is a tough choice!

Any suggestions on which one is best?

[Rainer]

quote:Originally posted by BusyCarol
Any suggestions on which one is best?

I opted for low profile in black, looks good, matches the back AC in color, and keeps our Monte at about 13'.

On a side note I have a GiraffeG4 height aware system with magnetic mount to make sure I can fit into places that look dubious with the eyeball method (which fails totally in the dark!).

[1retired06]

For years we always had only one, and did not feel the need for a second. Now we have two, and do not know how we got along with the one. Well worth having.

[Denfinger]

Two AC's should be normal in my book with a 50AMP. We also added the heating element to the one in our Master Bedroom and it takes the chill off on those cool mornings without having to run the main heater. WE like having the flexibility even if we are only running one at a time. Worth it.

[maximo]

When we ordered our 2011 Big Sky 3580RL we only orderd it with one AC. It came with the bedroom duct, wireing and 2 stage thermostat. The RV has the 50 amp power. After the first 3 months in Central California we took it back to the dealer and had the second AC put on the bedroom for $800. The steel building we had built for the RV has a front gabel height of 14 feet and the RV AC clears it about 10 inches.

Frank

[steelpony5555]

We only use our second AC to do a rapid cool down for like when we first set up. The main AC usually handles cooling very well after that even here in Texas. We got ours installed for $800 too and it is also a full size 15K unit. We have the rain covers on our other vents and the AC appears to be only 2-3 higher then them. I only worry about the height when we go thru MacDonalds drive thru........(are you awake now??) lol lol.....But really if you're stopping at fuel stops along an Interstate that sell diesel you are pretty safe. If it looks close then the wife has to get out but have not had to do that yet. It is usually the Mom and Pop convience stores that have lower canopys.