2nd air conditioner - Montana Owners Club

jim n deb · 08-22-2010, 10:43 AM

If you were buying a new Montana would you get a 2nd A/C? The unit I am looking at doesn't have one but they will install one for $800 . would like to know what you think. jim

Trailer Trash 2 · 08-22-2010, 10:55 AM

If you have a 50 service in your Monty I would say go for it, a 30 amp service would be at it max, and fuse poping would be a major problem if using both airs, and all your other appliances you normally use.

camper4 · 08-22-2010, 11:02 AM

If you plan to be where the temps are often over 90 degrees, yes.

footloose · 08-22-2010, 11:41 AM

We had one installed (along with a dome satellite) as a condition of sale. We are extremely pleased that we did. Our previous SOB was 30 amps and only had one AC. Having 50 amps and 2 AC's is a great improvement.
Dick and Sharon

trlrboy · 08-22-2010, 12:25 PM

We live in TX and it gets hot, hot, hot. When we got our Montana last year we made a point of getting the 2nd A/C and have not regretted it for one minute. We can go RVing in 100 degree heat and keep it in the 70s inside the trailer all day long. Go for it.

helmick · 08-22-2010, 12:40 PM

We use our bedroom air more than our living room air. If we come in at bedtime it cools the bedroom
in just a few minutes. We have never been sorry for getting the second air.

rapidrobert · 08-22-2010, 01:05 PM

I have a 2004 2880RL which has 30 amp service. Cooling the unit was so difficult that I added a second air in bedroom. One of the best changes I've ever made. I added another power cord to a second breaker box with two 20 amp breakers. Ran one to second air and the other to the kitchen area. In winter run electric heater on plug in kitchen area. I now have two 30 amp power cords on unit. I bought a 50 amp to two 30 amp y plugs. I basically now 50 amp service. Works great.

Clemson1881 · 08-22-2010, 02:37 PM

What model are you looking at? If it's any one of the big daddy floor plans I would absolutely get the 2nd air. Make sure they install a ducted ceiling unit and not a freeblowing unit. Especially if you are looking at a side aisle camper.

bob n pam · 08-22-2010, 02:58 PM

Another benefit of having a second A/C is that you can run the bedroom unit while watching TV in the LR to cut down on A/C blower noise.

mhs4771 · 08-22-2010, 03:12 PM

Go for it, $800 sounds like a bargain, cost me over a thousand to have the second unit added, but haven't regretted it as we just came back from the Outer Banks (Cape Hatteras area) and temps we in the mid 90s with near 100% humidity and with the two units we kept the unit in the lowers 70s.

CamillaMichael · 08-22-2010, 07:08 PM

Warm or hot climate? Second A/C is the way to go.

jsnip42 · 08-23-2010, 05:24 AM

A very good investment. I camped in Texas last summer. First campground only had 30 amp so only one a/c could run. Lowest it got inside was 82. Next campground had 50amp so I was able to run both a/c units. Then it stayed in low 70's and very plesant. The best 800 bucks you will spend.

rhino1970 · 08-23-2010, 06:03 AM

Just came back from Fort Wilderness in Disney. Florida is having one of the hottest summers in decades. We did not have one day in 2 weeks where the temperature was below 95 dgrees. We have 2 a/c's in our Alpine and kept the inside real cool. I replaced the screen door with plexiglass and it got so cool inside that the plexiglass would constantly fog up. I would definately go for 2 a/c's

stevemc · 08-23-2010, 11:27 AM

I agree with the consensus. We only have one on our current trailer but we will definately add the 2nd A/C when we trade.

mail2us · 08-23-2010, 04:21 PM

Jim and Deb, try to negotiate the A/C install as part of the deal. We did and they accepted on our 2008. We got the Carrier low model but I believe they are not made anymore. It was 7 1/2 inches high. The Dometic line is 9 1/2 high which is fine. If your unit is pre wired and also thermostat set, it would be a no brainer to install. The unit is a bottom and an upper unit (roof). Go for it!! Good luck.

Okie Guy · 09-04-2010, 03:52 PM

I had another full size installed when I purchased my unit a couple years ago. I have not regreted it one bit. I am a 50amp unit and run both of them at the same time with no electrical problem.

garyka · 09-04-2010, 03:59 PM

I wouldn't be without one

lasater · 09-04-2010, 05:32 PM

Me too. I am in Phoenix, Arizona, until next Thursday to do our 6-month medical checks. It reached 108 today and tomorrow is forcasted for 107. I keep the BR AC on constant run. I set the LR AC on 75 so that it cycles on and off. With this setup we didn't go over 80 inside.

It was so hot that our 8 lb chihuahua (who thinks he's a great dane) didn't even want to chase the rabbits around here. Now that is HOT!

hookman · 09-04-2010, 06:39 PM

We installed the second A/C after the first year. Like stated when watching TV we use the bedroom one or if it is really hot we run both. When our daughter is with us at night we run the bedroom one as she is always cold and uses 4 or 5 blankets. We got it on sale so we had it installed and are very glad we did.

dsprik · 09-05-2010, 06:07 AM

Also, one of my main considerations was the possibility of needing a backup. We have had our main go down on us twice. Once by freezing up (and yes I know how to prevent that now) and once by a thermostat glitch. Without the 2nd A/C available for backup, the 3400 would have been uninhabitable...

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