5TH WHEEL, TOP BED

[Karalyn]

I have been wondering how you that have these 5th wheel Scamps keep cool way up there in the loft? Isn't it hotter up there than down below? It would just seem like it would not be real comfy up there ( but then I like windows open and fan blowing on me)
Just though I would ask.

[Donna D.]

Karalyn, I don't own one (yet!), but I can tell you what I know. The sidebath Scamps by the shear fact have an open loft have better air movement, both heat in the winter and cool in the summer than the front bath models of any brand. Putting an electric fan (ala Fantastic Fan, etc.) in the loft area certain helps with air movement. Ian and Paddy have added one to the loft of their Escape 5th wheel.

Now, let's hear from actual owners.....

[Jim Bago]

We have a max-air fan set on exhaust right above us in the hot part of the summer and an air conditioner in the back window. It moves the hot air out and sucks the cooler air from the lower part of the trailer to the loft. When it is really bad we have a small box fan that hangs from the aisle by the bathroom and moves the cool air towards the loft. We find that a 5,000 BTU window air conditioner is sufficient even in exteme weather.

[Nita F.]

Karalyn,

A previous owner of our 5th wheel installed a small fan attached high to the wall above the steps. A toggle switch was installed for the fan beside the light fixture on one of the loft cabinets. We also close the A/C air direction cover over the table and point the other one toward the steps at night. Have been comfortable so far.

Another owner has a piece of duct with fan installed over the bathroom into the loft.

Nita

[Brian B-P]

The conventional fifth-wheel RV trailers have this same situation, although the current trend (especially for larger units) is the "high profile" design, with full standing headroom around the bed, so the occupants of the bed are not so close to the ceiling.

They generally have a roof vent (just like ours) in the bedroom, often powered; a second air conditioner is often available for that location. I suppose someone could mount an A/C unit on the front of a Scamp 19', but I don't know that I would want to be that close to one of those noisy things.

In addition, they usually have ducted air conditioners, so cool air is directed to all areas of the trailer. There is no roof truss space in our eggs to accommodate the A/C duct, as there is in a stick-built trailer, but it seems from Nita's post that someone has found a way to get close.

[Gail Shook]

My 5th wheel Scamp is a side bath model and the whole air flow issue was the reason I looked for and purchased side bath model. My Scamp has a fantastic fan over the table in the back of the Scamp. I turn it on exhaust and then in the loft I open one of the side windows I get a really great breeze going through the loft. I sleep great with the air flow and keep nice and cool.

Gail

[peterh]

I have the same side-bath setup with a modified loft area (no gaucho, loft bed now goes front-to-back instread of left-to-right) and do much the same thing, turning the fantastic fan on to pull air in over the dinette and opening the vent over the loft to let the air out. No complaints.

--P

[Karalyn]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like everyone is comfy in there high up loft beds.