Do I Need a 2nd AC in 2023 GD 297RSTS ?

[LetsGo1965]

Hi RV Friends,

We are seriously considering purchasing 2023 GD 297RSTS. We are wondering if putting in a second AC unit is necessary? I believe it comes with a 15k BTU ducted AC with the racetrack ducting. My husband is concerned that the trailer won't get cool enough in the Southern heat. Trailer is 34' in length. Just looking for advice based on experience please. Thanks!

[Hoopy Frood]

What southern heat are we talking about? South Texas? Arizona/New Mexico? South Florida? Northern/Central Alabama/Mississippi?

The trailer with its lower ceiling won't be as hard to keep cool as a 5th wheel, but, personally, I would opt for the second air conditioner. When it comes to coolness and comfort, it's better have it and not need it, rather than vice versa.

[geotex1]

Had a similarly sized TT before going 5er. Anywhere in the South, doesn't matter if desert SW or sticky SE, at the peak of Summer and I'd highly recommend having the second unit.

[Fivecodys]

We bought our 5th wheel in August of 2020. I wanted a 2nd A/C added but this was during the pandemic so it took a few months to get the unit in and installed.
We used the rig several times with only the one A/C unit and I can tell you that there was a HUGE difference after adding the 2nd A/C. What also helped was adding an RC Airflow to the main A/C unit.
The 2nd A/C will also make your rig taller so make sure you get a good measurement.
I have not added Soft Starts yet so we cannot run both units on a 30 amp outlet.
There are several campsites we go to that only offer 30amp power so adding those gadgets is very appealing.

Hope some of this is helpful.

Safe travels!

[dryfly]

Even though I live in a hot area of the country, I doubt that I've used my bedroom A/C more than a couple of times. But there are 2 good reasons to go ahead and get the second unit on your trailer. One is that it is usually less expensive to purchase the unit on the new trailer than to have it installed at a later date should you decide to need one. Second, the reliability of most components on trailers today are marginal at best. If you are on a camping trip and the living area A/C goes out, you have got a second one to rely on, and salvage the trip. A dead A/C unit can be a real deal breaker on a hot summer afternoon.

[FlyStar]

Nice to have two. Especially when one of them fails on the 110 degree day in Amarillo. Yes, I was there that day. Had a steak from the Big Texan.

[Rabbit]

Hi RV Friends,

We are seriously considering purchasing 2023 GD 297RSTS. We are wondering if putting in a second AC unit is necessary? I believe it comes with a 15k BTU ducted AC with the racetrack ducting. My husband is concerned that the trailer won't get cool enough in the Southern heat. Trailer is 34' in length. Just looking for advice based on experience please. Thanks!

We’ve had a 35’ and now have a 36’. The 35’ didn’t have the second AC installed, but needed it so we installed it. The 36’ is a GD 3100RD that has two std. The racetrack ducting does a superior job keeping the entire coach cool. I would definitely get the second AC, especially if you expect to camp in the summer months.

[trailrydr]

We bought our 295RL with the second bedroom AC unit. Glad we did, cause the thin poor insulated walls, floor, ceiling, slideouts and windows dont keep much heat out during hot summer days. And our primary AC in the living room does a better job keeping up with the help of our 2nd unit runing occasionally too.

Another tip would be to place full blackout/thermal curtains on all your windows and slide toppers over each slide. After we added our toppers and full blackout thermal curtains, our ACs ran half the time to keep the inside at 73 degrees during 100+ degree days.

Not to mention the DWs wanting to have some white noise from the bedroom AC fan running full time at noisy CGs at night! Like that Nugenix commercial, "She will like it too!".

[jkwilson]

Add me to the spare air conditioner club. We were out last summer and on our first night, the rear AC wouldn’t work. Got along with with one for the rest of the week. Found a loose wire when I got home. It was kind of a special trip as we were traveling with some folks we had wanted to camp with for a long while, so it would have stunk to cancel 500 miles from home.

[LetsGo1965]

Thanks to all who have responded. The dealer has offered to throw in the second AC for free as part of the deal, so we are taking him up on it and getting that second AC!