a/c question from a newbie

[thecove]

We just purchased a RT Popular 190, 2005 and are taking our first big trip next week. We will have 1 person and 2 dogs in the back seats (person in the seatbelt bench!) but, just learned this week that the rear a/c vents are only tied to the big a/c unit, not the front/ van a/c. Since its June in FL we'll definately need it running back there. What are our choices to run this a/c while driving? (sorry, I'm sure its a stupid question....and we'll have many more )

[Barman]

In our RT 190 the front A/C is very capable of cooling the back of the van just fine. If however you decide that you still need to run the rear A/C unit, you will have to run your generator while driving down the road because that A/C unit is 115 VAC and only the generator or shore power can run it. We have run our RT in very hot climates, and been quite comfy even in the rear of the motorhome. Running the generator while traveling down the road works fine, but you will of course use more fuel, and you need to keep the fuel tank above the 1/4 tank mark or the generator will quit.

[thecove]

Thanks so much....we were only on the road for a few miles when checking this all out so, of course the back hadn't cooled off yet. Good to hear that after a few more miles the front a/c might keep the back cool enough. Would hate to use the generator for the long trip. (gas $'s are high enough as it is!). thanks for the input!

[Barman]

You are welcome. Something that I think folks overlook with the RTs is that they don't cool off anywhere near as fast as a car does. This is a home on wheels, and all of the stuff inside when it gets hot will radiate the heat for a good while. That is why we tend to try and keep ours cool while in real hot climates. If we park ours for periods of time while traveling, we park in shade whenever possible, we put our sun screens on all of the windows that will be exposed to sun and we either run the fantastic roof vent fan or even sometimes the generator and A/C. It is much easier to keep it cool all along than try and re-cool it after it is over 100 degrees inside. It is also better for all of your stuff not to be that hot. We have learned many really good methods over the years as to how to keep our home on wheels cool and comfortable. Have a blast with your RT, we certainly do.

[Photog]

You could pre-cool the van interior with the A/C & generator, then shut that off while driving. The vehicle A/C would have an easier time maintaining temps that way.

[yizit]

Something else you can do is purchase a small fan for circulation if needed. We purchased the O2Cool 5" & 8" fan that is battery or electric. You can find them at Walmart. We like the option of the battery, which we used when we are parked without electric and didn't want to run the generator. Battery usage last a long time.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search...onstraint=4044