Keeping It Cool

When the RV PRO team ran into the Airxcel team at NTP-STAG in January, there was one thing at the top of the discussion list: Coleman-Mach’s latest innovation in air conditioning. Keeping an RV comfortable during the hot days of the summer is a must, so we asked Anthony Wollschlager, Airxcel CEO, to tell us more about this product and why dealers should keep it in mind for their customers.

RVP: Tell us about the new offering from Coleman-Mach — why did the company pursue this product?

Wollschlager: At Coleman-Mach, innovation starts with listening, both to our customers and to where the RV lifestyle is headed. As RV usage continues to evolve, so do expectations around comfort, efficiency and performance. Today’s consumers want more: faster, quieter cooling with less energy demand, all without compromising the reliability they have trusted from Coleman-Mach for decades.

The Everest VS-18 was developed at the intersection of those needs and our engineering advancements. Our team continues to push forward with new technologies and smarter system design to deliver products that raise the standard across the industry. Backed by our industry-leading testing capabilities at our UL-certified lab, we ensured this product not only performs in the most extreme conditions, but consistently outperforms anything else in the market.

This is just the beginning. The Everest VS-18 represents the first of a new generation of innovation from Coleman-Mach as we continue to push the envelope and build products that truly overdeliver.

RVP: What features will dealers find most appealing for their customers?

Wollschlager: Dealers will immediately recognize how well this product aligns with what today’s RV customers are asking for: quiet, powerful and consistent comfort.

At the core is variable-speed cooling, which continuously adjusts output to maintain a steady interior temperature. We were not satisfied with just delivering a variable speed AC, we wanted it to be the best in the market, so we paired it with our 360-degree airflow ceiling assembly, engineered to distribute air evenly throughout the cabin, removing hot spots and creating a more balanced environment.

It is also designed with real-world usage in mind. The unit operates quietly and incorporates soft-start technology to reduce startup power demand. That makes it especially attractive for customers who want the option of using generators or off-grid power systems, where energy efficiency and smooth operation matter most.

RVP: Where is it best used (type of RV, type of outdoor environment)?

Wollschlager: The Everest VS-18 is designed to perform across the full spectrum of RV applications, from travel trailers to motorhomes, and in a wide range of environments.

It has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it can handle extreme conditions, particularly high-heat scenarios where cooling performance is most critical. Whether customers are traveling through desert climates or peak summer destinations, this unit is engineered to deliver consistent, reliable comfort.

RVP: How does this product solve pain points for RVers?

Wollschlager: This product directly addresses some of the most common frustrations RVers face: inconsistent temperatures, excessive noise and high energy demand.

With the Everest VS-18, we have created a system that balances peak cooling performance with energy efficiency and quiet operation. Instead of sacrificing one for the other, RVers get all three: strong, consistent cooling, lower power draw, and a much more peaceful interior environment.

It is about removing trade-offs and delivering a better overall experience.

RVP: How does it work with an RV’s energy sources?

Wollschlager: The Everest VS-18 is designed to integrate seamlessly with the variety of power sources RVers rely on today. It operates on standard 115 VAC power, whether that is from shore power, a generator or a pure sine wave inverter connected to a DC battery source.

One key advantages is its inverter-driven compressor. This unit ramps up gradually from off to full operation. That eliminates the heavy startup load and makes it much more compatible with generators and inverter-based battery setups, an increasingly important consideration for off-grid and energy-conscious RVers.

RVP: What do dealers need to know about installing this unit?

Wollschlager: Installation has been designed to be straightforward and flexible for dealers.

The unit fits a standard roof opening, simplifying replacement or new installations. It requires a wall thermostat, with a provided 25-foot cable that connects from the rooftop unit to the thermostat location.

Dealers also have flexibility depending on the setup:

• For cooling-only applications, only 115 VAC power is required.
• For combined heating and cooling systems (coming soon), the unit integrates with furnace controls and requires additional 12 VDC connections.

The indoor ceiling assembly supports both ducted and nonducted configurations, allowing it to adapt across a wide range of RV designs.

RVP: What do dealers and users need to know about maintaining it?

Wollschlager: Maintenance is simple and designed to keep the unit performing at its best with minimal effort.

Users should clean or check the ceiling assembly filter approximately every 30 days, depending on usage. At the start of each season, it is recommended to clean the outdoor coil and remove any debris from the rooftop unit.

These basic steps help ensure optimal airflow, efficiency and long-term reliability.

RVP: How should it be winterized for the cold seasons?

Wollschlager: One of the advantages of the Everest VS-18 is its simplicity. There are no special winterization requirements for the unit.

As long as standard RV winterization practices are followed, the air conditioning system itself does not require additional preparation, making off-season storage easy and hassle-free.

For more about Airxcel from RV PRO, click here.