Recommended roof a/c for 7x16?

[24337coach]

Hi all - I'm looking for a roof a/c for my 7x16 cargo trailer and wondered if you could give me recommendations? What BTU will be sufficient to keep it cool in the beating summer sun? Is a heat strip worth adding on? Any help and information you can give me would be appreciated!

[ilbigredtruck]

A 7x16 you would be fine with a 13,500 roof air, whether it is dometic, coleman mach or whatever. We put 13500 btu on 8.5 x 20-28 enclosed race trailers with no insulation in the sidewalls. As far as a heat strip goes, I would put it in. They are not necessarily going to blow the hot heat you may think, they actually are more like turning on a hairdryer, we call them chill chasers. However once you turn them on and let it run on heat for a little while they will warm the trailer pretty good as long as you are not running in and out all the time. Insulating the ceiling and walls will help you a lot on both items. I hope this may help.

On a side note, if you are shopping around for pricing don't forget that you need the upper unit, lower interior unit, and heat strip. They are all separate parts. Also make sure your trailer is framed for the support of the weight of an upper roof air. Most factories beef up the upper bows and framework around the opening for the unit (14"x14")


Jake Musselman
Indianapolis, IN

[viffer07]

I have a 14x8 haulmark conversion. one inch foam board insulation in the walls and ceiling, i put 3/8 plywood on the sides with sheets of 1/4 inch paneling. i used prp?? on the roof. (plastic bathroom paneling) my wife and i use the trailer every other weekend in 98 to 100 degree south texas weather and she complains about being too cold. i installed a 13.5 btu coleman polar mach low profile and we really like this unit. the unit fan runs constantly with the compressor cycling on and off. i have tried sleeping in other trailers where the fan and compressor are on and off at the same time,and just when you are about to nod off the unit comes on and wakes you. this may seem petty but i would'nt trade mine for anything. good luck on your build. see you on the road

[len19070]

You will find that there are basically 2 size RV roof mount air conditioners made by the big 2, Dometic and Coleman (and others).

About a 7000 BTU and a 13,500 BTU. Both units weigh within 5-10lbs of each other and roughly cost the same.

That makes your choice easy. You can always turn the 13,500 down. But ya can only turn a 7,000 up so far.

Its better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. And with all things equal.........

Happy Trails

Len

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Dont forget to pack your 3,500 - 5,000 watt gen set :-)) that will be sucking 1 gallon gas per hour


http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=44951&start=90

here is what I am doing to run on solar .....hopefully ....
I modified some ideas from shadow catcher




http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/