What’s The Best Soft Start For 5th Wheels?
Top Soft Starters For Your Camper + RV
Many consumers and aspiring RVers may opt for a 5th wheel over a class A, class B, or class C motor home for a variety of reasons – whether it be the flexibility it provides for campers, the clever use of the space which gives 5th wheelers more comfort on the road, or the lifetime value of a 5th wheel. But how do you optimize your 5th wheel to get the most out of your life on the road? One of the most consistent challenges 5th wheelers face is keeping their 5th wheel cool and comfortable on the road.
Due to their size, most 5th wheels, like many class A or class C RVs, require more than one air conditioner. Unfortunately, two air conditioners can mean more problems and maintenance if not properly optimized. Because of this, more 5th wheelers than ever are opting to install soft starters on their air conditioners.
When it comes to keeping your 5th wheel or RV cool, what is the best soft starter on the market to install into your 5th wheel? In this article, we’ll break down the differences between the two soft starters on the market for 5th wheels, SoftStartRV and EasyStart. You have the power to travel anywhere in your 5th wheel, so let’s make sure you have the proper gear to live the lifestyle you deserve on the road.
In this guide, we will review:
Table of Contents
The One Problem Every 5th Wheeler Knows And How To Solve It
You’ve spent a long day on the road, and finally you’ve reached your campsite. You’re ready to park, get set up, and unwind in comfort after a long travel day. However, you soon realize your campground, like most, only provides enough power for a 30-amp connection.
Even though you have 2 air conditioners that you’d like to use in your 5th wheel, you can only start ONE A/C unit because of the initial power spike to get the second A/C started. Suddenly only half of your 5th wheel is getting cool, and the other half feels just as hot and sweaty as you would feel outside.
Why spend all the money on a 5th wheel only to feel like you’re camping in a tent?
SoftStartRV solves this problem. Once installed into your 5th wheel AC, the SoftStartRV reduces startup power demand by up to 70%. With two SoftStartRV soft start kits installed in your 5th wheel, one for each air conditioner, you can optimize both of the ACs you paid for when you purchased your 5th wheel.
Not only does this allow your air conditioners to keep a more even, cool temperature throughout the 5th wheel, but it allows your generator to function much more smoothly, without having to run multiple times throughout your stay. This means less noise of your generator starting up during the night, so you can enjoy a breezy night’s sleep in your 5th wheel uninterrupted. Plus – you can even boondock or moochdock more easily in your RV.
If you own a 5th wheel, you probably chose to travel in a 5th wheel over a Class A motor home, Class C motor home, or other trailer because of the excellent value for the price. After all, a 5th wheel can actually feel quite spacious for the price. 5th wheel and RV owners know that keeping a 5th wheel cool and comfortable can get expensive.
What Is The Cost Of A SoftStartRV Vs. An EasyStart?
SoftStartRV and EasyStart both appear to cost the same for a single soft start. HOWEVER – 5th wheelers will typically need to purchase at least 2 soft starters, one for each air conditioner.
The purchase of two EasyStarts does not provide you everything you need to successfully install them with your RV or 5th wheel ACs.
Price Breakdown: What Is Included In The Price Of A SoftStartRV Vs. An EasyStart?
By purchasing an EasyStart for your RV, you get:
- No install kit
- The install kit is necessary to actually connect the soft starter to your air conditioners. Just like products that don’t include the batteries, a soft starter without an install kit is useless. EasyStart requires you to spend an additional $9-10 per installation kit. Meaning that you’ll need to pay an additional $18-20 for two installation kits after already buying the two EasyStart soft starts.
- Plus, if you buy them, then you have to spend at least 2 hours running to hardware stores to find all the 10 different items, such as connectors, screws, tie wraps, etc.
- No free shipping
- Despite shelling out the cash on two EasyStarts and additional costs for the two install kits, SHIPPING IS NOT FREE. Get ready to spend an additional shipping fee, even for regular, non-expedited ground shipping.Depending on your location is generally $23-25 for shipping 2 via UPS ground shipping.
- Despite shelling out the cash on two EasyStarts and additional costs for the two install kits, SHIPPING IS NOT FREE. Get ready to spend an additional shipping fee, even for regular, non-expedited ground shipping.
- Restocking Fees:
- Can’t get your EasyStart to work with your 5th wheel? Have problems installing your soft starter? Have buyers remorse? You’ll need to pay a 25% restocking fee. This will cost you $74.75 PER soft starter, meaning if you return 2 soft starters, you will need to pay $149.50 for a product you couldn’t even use.
- Return Shipping Fees
- Don’t Forget: EasyStart does not cover the cost of return shipping, meaning you’ll need to spend between $23-25 for UPS per soft starter to return it depending on your location.
- No LIVE Rooftop Tech Support
- Once you’ve purchased an EasyStart, installation is left up to you. If you have a problem installing, you can only rely on Micro Air to provide installation instructions on their website, or you may have to search through a few installation Youtube videos and hope you can solve the problem.
- EasyStart does not provide any LIVE tech support. No professional to ask questions, little or no support to walk you through the process while in your RV. This can be a frustrating experience for even the most tech savvy RVer or 5th wheeler. Without the necessary gear (like installation connectors and screws), LIVE tech support, or friendly professional guidance, how can EasyStart 5th wheel customers have the helpful guidance to work through any RV installation issues?
With SoftStartRV, you pay $299 for 1 soft starter, or 2 soft starters for $598 and receive:
- Free dedicated LIVE rooftop A/C support technician for your installation
- Free install kit
- Free shipping
- Free additional year of extended warranty - get 3 years of warranty FREE
- Free 90-day risk-free trial with a 100% refund
- Free return shipping, NO RESTOCKING FEE
See our True Product Value Comparison Chart for a simple at-a-glance comparison of EasyStart Vs. SoftStartRV.
For many owners of a 5th wheel, Airstream, RV, Class A trailer, Class C trailer, or motor home, getting your hands dirty is part of the fun of life on the road. This is why many RVers opt for the “DIY” installation process with their soft starters. SoftStartRV keeps the installation simple with a ton of resources at your fingertips. SoftStartRV provides installation instructions, diagrams, FAQs, video tutorials, and of course, LIVE rooftop tech support to walk you through your installation step by step while in your RV or 5th wheel.
Now, we also provide answers to commonly asked questions on soft start installation we receive from our 5th wheel and RV customers.
FAQ #1: Do I need more than one soft starter for my 5th wheel?
Yes. If your 5th wheel has 2, or even 3 air conditioners, you’ll need a soft starter for each unit. Otherwise, you may find your family all crowded in the one area of your 5th wheel that stays cool. Each air conditioner needs to be optimized with it’s own soft starter in order to function best.
FAQ #2: How to install a soft starter in my 5th wheel easily?
We can help! With tech support just a phone call away, we give you the power to install your soft starters yourself, with a tech professional guiding you every step of the way LIVE. Each soft start takes about 20-30 minutes to install in total.
Mobile RV techs or your local RV service center can also install the soft start if you prefer to have someone else do it.
Check out this video testimonial from our customer Levi. He explains how easy he was able to install his SoftStartRV into his RV with our live tech support.
FAQ #3: Will A SoftStartRv Work In A Class A Motor Home, A Class C Motor Home, And A 5th Wheel?
Yes. RVs and 5th wheels air conditioners both function with the SoftStartRV.
FAQ #4: How Will A SoftStartRV Give Me More Freedom On The Road?
Check out this review from RV Life: “SoftStartRV Air Conditioning Soft Start Kit Means A/C Freedom At Any 30-Amp Site – Now, you can take your motorhome, 5th-wheel, or travel trailer equipped with multiple air-conditioning units virtually anywhere and enjoy camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, or just hanging around the campsite, knowing that when the day is done you can relax in the cool comfort of your rig, even on a 30-amp connection. No more hunting for the relatively few 50-amp sites at state parks. “
FAQ #5: Does A Soft Start Negatively Affect My RV Air Conditioner?
No. There is no compromise for installing a SoftStartRV, you get improved startability with the reduced current starts. RV tech expert Mike Sokol explains the technical questions in his video review of the SoftStartRV.
Tech Experts Explain Why You Need A Soft Starter In Your 5th Wheel Or RV
Mike Sokol from RV Electricity is an electrical and professional sound expert with 40+ years in the industry. He’s joined the club of customers who use and recommend the Soft Start RV and taken control of his RV A/C power. In this video, he reviews why SoftStartRV is the ideal accessory for your RV air conditioner, whether you’re camping, living the RV lifestyle, or bringing your gear on the road. You can also have a lot of RV fun with boondocking or moochdocking.
Check out his explanation of the SoftStartRV in his video:
Curious to know more? We’re happy to help. Unlike other RV accessory brands, we understand that you may want to talk to a real person to be sure the SoftStartRV is right for your 5th wheel needs before purchasing. Submit your questions on installing SoftStartRV into your 5th wheel or RV and we will reply. It’s never to late to be cool anywhere with any power situation.