13,500 or 15,000 BTU A/C?

[Rustyone]

Hello Everybody, hope all's well.

Rocknroll started a thread a couple days ago asking about the effectiveness of A/C in a PUP and one angle I didn't see addressed was the 13,500 or 15,000 BTU's debate.  I will definately take advantage of PUG's bunk end covers offered in PUTs store either way and consider camping in the sun a matter of absolute last resort, but here in the St. Louis area it's not uncommon for July and August peaks of 100 degrees with humidity just about the same.  If a guy (or gal) had more money than brains and all else being equal would you all go with a 15,000 BTU unit in a 'just-in-case' scenario.  Would the extra 1,500 BTU's really make a difference compared to careful placement of added insulation?  What would you consider aside from cost, to be a drawback with the larger unit?  I, personally am sold on Carrier as the system to have, and have made arrangements with my dealer for the install when the time comes.  Now I see Carrier has come out with a 15,000 BTU unit, but I don't want to pay the extra just for bragging rights.  

Knowledgeable comments and worthless opinions equally considered.

Russ

[Tim5055]

Russ,

I had the 13,500 Coleman Mach on the Santa Fe and now we have the 15,000 Coleman Mach on the Niagara.

Using PUGs both got/get downrite cold, even in full sun.

I guess when it comes down to it I got the bigger one because in some things size does matter

[tlhdoc]

The only  two things that might turn me off from going to a bigger AC unit would be the price, if it is significantly more and if the weight is significantly more.

[Metro]

The only  two things that might turn me off from going to a bigger AC unit would be the price, if it is significantly more and if the weight is significantly more.

This weekend when I was looking at the Coachmen Clipper the salesman said they recomend the 7500 BTU and that the 13500 is too heavy for the roof and it would be a pain to crank up. He said the 7500 would cool it down just fine. Any opinions?

[beacher]

Another consideration is if you ever intend to use a portable generator to run your A/C.  You can run the new high efficiency 13,500 Btu models with a "small" under 50lb. 2000 watt Honda or Yamaha generator.  The Carrier AirV, The Coleman P.S. and the Duotherm HE model.  You need a much larger generator to start and run a 15,000 Btu A/C.

A 13,500 Btu unit will cool very well if your humidity level is 50% to occasionally 100%.  If your humidity levels are frequently over 95%, you will probably feel more comfortable with a 15,000 btu unit.