AC Unit Replacement Recommendation for 2012 Forest River Ultra Light with Coleman Mach

Published 06/27/2023

Question:

Im looking at replacing my A/C unit on my 2012 Forest River 33foot ultra light travel trailer. The current A/C is a Coleman Mach which Mach I am not sure, and cant keep up with the 105 degree summer temperatures. I bought the trailer used in 2019, and I would be surprised if the A/C has ever been replaced its never worked well, but we are weekend campers. I believe the current A/C is 13.5k btu though I am not sure, and I would like to upgrade to 15k btu. However, with a 35 amp electrical system, I have had problems in the past with tripping the circuit breaker in the camper or even out at the source with the A/C running. Would the difference in electrical rating between the 13.5 and 15k units make much of a difference? Is 13.5 sufficient to cool a camper that size in extreme summer heat? Or would a more powerful HE system be more efficient and make circuit trips less likely?

asked by: Daniel C

Expert Reply:

It really just depends on the AC unit you go with. Most likely what is causing the breakers to trip is the initial draw of the AC units when they start up. So with that in mind I would recommend the Furrion Chill HE part # FR42PV which has a start capacitor that softens the initial amperage draw, is 15k btu rated, known to be the coldest and quietest, and was designed to replace Coleman setups like what you have so install will be much simpler. Its amperage draw is 15.8 amps so a 35 amp system shouldn't be a problem.

expert reply by: Jameson C