My review of Upstream Outfitters Vent Upgrade kit. Tested and installed in my 2022 FC 27FBT with 50amp dual AC units. Dometic 13.5k BTU and 15k BTU units. Used a digital anemometer before and after install. Ordered 8 units. 4 without damper and 4 with damper. I didn't want the hideous look of ERpods or similar sticking down from my ceiling. I wanted it to look oem. I ran the AC's while plugged in at home on my 50amp service. I also have Micro Air softstarters on both units.
2 without dampers were installed in the bedroom where it appears the AC output could never could keep up with the galley cooling. For purposes of labeling I will call these BR.
Another 2 without dampers installed adjacent to vents directly opposite of skylight in galley. For purposes of labeling will call these SKY.
Then 4 with dampers installed - 2 at far rear closest to dining room table. I will label these DR. Then last 2 installed in line with the galley TV. Will label those TV.
The only vent I left stock was in the bathroom and I closed that vent and the vent over the galley TV to minimize air flow at those points and direct through the rest of the trailer; especially to the bedroom.
Air movement I registered in m/s. All the intake register filters totally clean. Stock filters.
Before
Single Galley 15k BTU AC unit running only. Tested this way as well because I can run this unit on my inverter when boondocking.
Drivers Side
BR - 2.1
DR - 2.0
SKY - 1.6
TV - 1.6
Passenger Side
BR - 2.1
DR- 1.9
SKY- 2.0
TV - 1.6
After installing vent upgrade kits and running the same single AC unit as above.
Drivers Side
BR - 2.2
DR - 2.8
SKY- 2.6
TV - 1.9
Passenger Side
BR- 1.7
DR- 2.8
SKY- 1.9
TV- 2.3
Now repeated the above with running BOTH AC units. The following is initially before the upgrade.
Drivers Side
BR - 3.6
DR- 3.6
SKY- 2.2
TV- did not measure
Passenger Side
BR- 3.2
DR- 3.6
SKY-3.2
TV - did not measure
Then after the upgrade running both AC units.
Drivers Side
BR- 5.2
DR- 4.2
SKY-4.1
TV- 2.2
Passenger Side
BR- 4.3
DR-4.2
SKY-4.1
TV- 3.2
Many observations I noted. 1st and foremost the advertising of doubling your airflow is completely false. Best I got was 44% increase out of 1 vent and then another only 14% increase. On avg I would say you get a 20 to 25% improvement overall running both AC units. I don't care what product you use. It WILL NOT substantially increase your flow by double. ERpods or whatever you go with. It's simple engineering and what I have been preaching for a while now for those drinking the Kool Aid. It's false representation of what you "feel". Does the mod improve flow?.....yes. With the single AC unit running not even worth it and barely an improvement. With both AC units I would say "maybe" worth it. It's really kind of difficult to validate but if you are in extreme heat more than 2 weeks of the year, I can say maybe worth the cost to do it. Here is why. Closing some of the dampers in the galley of my rig to redirect and force more air to the BR location is useful to cool that area better. The completely closed insulated function of the dampers stops airflow very well. I tested flow when doing this and bumped up the BR airflow numbers even more but yet still had enough output to cool the galley.
The ones without dampers do push slightly more air because of less material obstruction then the ones having the dampers. This is why I strategically placed the ones without dampers in the mentioned locations. Also because of the poor placement for where AS places the temperature sensor in the galley behind the TV.
Take it for what it's worth. If we didn't go to Florida during the Summer months like we usually do every year for 2 weeks, I would say this wouldn't be worth the cost to do. I dont regret doing it nonetheless. Again, doesn't matter what vent upgrade you go with. You will get these similar numbers. I was expecting much better airflow output.
The kit was fairly easy to install. The hardest part was getting the old vent apart so I could use the cove. Installed 3 in an hour.
Far superior than stock. It took a few attempts to get the vent covers just right but over all installation was easy enough. My only wish is that they came with custom faceplates. That’s the only draw back. All in all, I am very happy why the upgrade.
I can’t really tell if volume is better or worse. Way to expensive for minor results.
easy to install and works great