Front-mount A/C question...

[McBrew]

So, I am building a little Generic Benroy and I have an A/C question. I already have the AC unit, and the only place I can install it (due to my design) is on the front wall (above my head when I am laying down). I have seen a few other people who have installed the A/C in that location and I have one question:

Do you travel with the A/C unit in place, or remove it and close up the hole with a door/hatch/window? I suppose another idea would be to leave the A/C in place and make some sort of weather-proof cover box to go over it while traveling.

Of course, I'd like to leave the A/C in place, but I see it being a problem getting it sealed enough to be able to tow it at 60 MPH in the rain. Anyone with experience or opinions on the subject? Thanks!

Oh, and it's a normal, modern 6k BTU window unit, not a Petcool or anything fancy.

[bobhenry]

I am currently wrestling with the exact same delima. I have an option to install on the curb side but even that bugs me. I am just about ready to install 4" pvc duct work under the tear and deliver thru the floor with the ac delivering to an air handler box and drive the cool air with 2 small fans in addition to the unit fan. Unit will ride inside and set up when camped. I have fought to convince the bride we do NOT want to invite trouble by cutting thru the front wall.

[Kevin & Sandy]

Our ac is a 5000btu window mount unit that we mounted in the front. I made the front box a little large, then made a "faceplate" that the window unit mounts into. That way it can be removed with 4 screws. I think I will make a storage unit that goes in its place for traveling in the spring or fall where I will not need ac.

I also mounted one of those plastic vent diverters on the ac unit. ( like you put on your home vents to get them to blow a different direction)
I angled the diverter up so the cold air goes up over our heads towards the ceiling and doesn't blow right on us. So far so good !!

[caseydog]

I was going to put mine on the front, but changed my mind at the last minute. That decision was about looks, not function, for me.

I have seen many front-mount AC units down here in the South. Spinnernut has a snap-on vinyl cover for his that I was going to copy.

Just make sure your unit is well supported with steel L-brackets or something similar, so the bouncing of the TD doesn't cause your AC unit to over-stress your front wall.

CD

BTW, most of us use 5,000 BTU units, and they are overkill -- IN TEXAS. You should be able to store fresh meat in your TD with 6,000 BTUs.

[CJflyer]

I'm planning to mount my a/c using drawer slides. I do have a cabinet system framed up in the front. The idea is that during transport, the a/c will be slid in and locked into a stowed position with a water tight door covering the hole. When camped, I will slide the a/c out for use with the door resting on top of the unit providing a little weather protection. I am close to installing the unit and should have some pics soon. Good luck.

[McBrew]

Hmmm... Ilike the snap-on cover idea. A window A/C unit shouldn't let water in that is coming down the wall... the main concern is water hitting it head-on at high speed (while driving). It shouldn't matter that water can run down between the wall and the snap cover. I'll have to think about that.

The drawer slider idea is interesting, but won't work for my design. I like it, though... I can't wait to see pics!

[JIML1943]

Hi Jesse
I put mine on the front made it removable we only need it a few months a year so why carry it all of the time, pics are in my album on page 3.

[mikeschn]

I refuse to put an ac in the front wall. Did that once. It was the biggest leak I ever had.

Kinda like putting a 12 x 18" hole on the bottom of a boat!!!

Mike...

[McBrew]

I know what you mean, Mike... but I'm fairly confident that I could plug up a hole, since the area where I'm installing it is perfectly flat. On a curve, I'd be a lot more nervous.

[humormeplease]

How about finding an old pop-up with a Coleman roof mount A/C? Then it looks good and has a proper seal?

[Larwyn]

A roof mounted AC unit is over the bed. I have never had one that did not at some point freeze up and/or drip condensate under some conditions. I have also been lucky enough to never have one over my bed. I can recall putting the trash can under the AC in my 5th wheel on more than one occasion to keep the carpet dry. As I am not fond of sleeping in a soggy bed I would not put an AC unit overhead in my teardrop. I gave up a lot of galley space to put my AC at the foot of the bed. Every location has it's drawbacks, I reckon.

[McBrew]

You're right about roof A/C's dripping. I have a class-A RV that a co-own with my brother, and if you accidentally leave a window open or a roof vent on while the A/C is running, there'll be a puddle on the floor in no time.

[alffink]

McBrew

This may not be of help because I can not find it now, but someone out there should have a link to an album for this tear. the "Cash Cow"
has a beautiful front mounted ac, it is mounted above a curved tounge box, in a smaller matching box above, from the outside, you would not think it is an air conditioner, from the interior it is part of the cabinet work....oh just remembered, there is a picture or two in the "SouthWest" section, in the Cloudcroft Gathering photos, "Cash Cow" is black with great use of diamond plate for trim.

[alffink]

OOP's, Sorry, that is in the "South Central" section and the photos are in Coca Cola teardrops photos of the Cloudcroft gathering. Great use of space, never really thought about A/C, I normally camp in the desert and it cools off at night, but this installation has got me thinking about a re-model.

[McBrew]

Al, thanks for the info... I checked out the Cash Cow and it is a really neat install! I have a few ideas rolling around in my head. I just need to weigh the pros and cons and come up with the best solution for my build. Boy do we need the A/C, though... it was so hot and humid today that I was sweating just sitting out in the shade! The humidity was so bad that my dive watch kept switching into dive mode! No joke!