Factory Installed Roof Mounted AC

[E. Aaron Scott]

This may have already been covered but I could not find it. What are the pros and cons on a factory installed AC. From what I have read it appears that most people go with another type of AC. The place that i plan on getting my CT from offers a 13,000 BTU AC with Heat Strip. I was wondering if I should get that or go with another type. To me it makes sense to go with the roof mounted on because it will not take up very much room inside. Although I have no experience in this matter.

[jwhite]

For me the trailer company was going to charge 1200-1500 something way more than I wanted to spend and I made the mistake of thinking a portable AC would do the job, the other thing was I had a honda 2000 generator and I knew that it was not going to have enough power to run that size AC.
I put in a window AC with a false wall that I can open and close and it works great and it really cools the trailer down fast and will get as cold as I like unlike the portable that would only get cool after dark and was just wasting gas during the day.
I boondock most of the times I camp and my honda 2000 with a extended run 5 gallon tank will run my AC and charge my golf cart for something like 30 hours before I need to add more gas.
I guess if your plugged into power and aren't going to use a generator that size AC is fine,I know my buddy had to use one of the 5000 watt generators that burns a gallon of gas a hour to run his AC and had to refill the generator every 4-5 hours.

[Mud_Bug]

First, let me explain to you that I have had my ET 6 months now and have only used it one time. I do plug it into an extension cord from my shed to run lights and what not while I'm working on it. I have cranked up my generator once just to see if it'll pull the load, it did just fine. As it is right now all I have in my ET is elect outlets, 4' shop lights and a ac/heat unit.
I have a roof top ac/heater in my ET. I personally wouldn't have it any other way. I run my trailer on shore power most of the time, however I have hooked it up to my 4500 watt generator and it pulled the load just fine, for now.
The heat strip in mine is more than to be desired. I don't find it works like I think it should. After running the heater option on my unit for 20 min, the darn thing was blowing air 68 degrees on my temp gun.
I have checked all wiring, plugs, and elect connections....everything seems to be correct. Now, saying that...I'm chalking this up to low voltage drop from the 75' of extension cord running it when I tested it yesterday. I will talk to the Rv dealership today about what the issue could be.
Getting back to your question: I do like the way it takes up minimal space, the air it moves, and the convenience of the units combined together. I have found on Craig's list several used ac units. You can buy the heater element on eBay for around $50. Just be sure you get the correct heat element for your unit. No two brands are the same.

[Shadow Catcher]

Things left off of the roof don't get knocked off. A 5,000 BTU window shaker can be had for about $100 and is easily replaced.

[8ball_99]

There is quite a few threads on this.. Its a never ending debate.. LoL infact I think one of the threads even has that title..

Opinions vary. For the most part it comes down to money. Roof top ACs cost more. I've had two different trailers and I put roof ACs on both of them.. Mine are toyhaulers so I can't have a false wall in the rear and I don't like the idea of having a window unit sticking out of the trailer. The portable ACs don't work all that well and take up quite a bit of floor space.. Roof AC is up out of the way and in the dead middle of the trailer. I myself wouldn't have anything else.. You can get a 13k AC for around 500 bucks and install it yourself.. I have a low profile 9k AC on mine that cost more like 750.. I got it because my little 2000 watt honda generator will run it NP. I had the generator already so it made since to spend a little more on a AC that would run on it Vs buying a cheaper AC and having to buy a larger generator..

[David_L6]

How much (more) bracing is required for a roof mount A/C? Is the bracing in the attached picture adequate? The picture is of the inside of the roof of one of my trailers.

[pete42]

I have seen some factory travel trailers that have a window AC mounted in the front side cabinets with a small amount sticking thru the wall.

I really like how b.bodemer did her's it is mounted on a sliding tray that is carried inside when she gets to a campground she opens a
cargo door which is mounted to open up she then slids the AC out the opening very well thought out.

On the travel trailers I have owned I've always had a roof AC some with a heat strip which is a 1500 watt heater.

I guess I wasn't much help but at least you have a couple of ideas.

pete

[Pyrofish]

It really depends on your set-up. If it's a toy hauler and you need the ramp, roof top is the way to go in my opinion.

However, if I didn't have a toy, and had barn doors, I would seriously consider the false wall idea with a window shaker.

Mine is a toy hauler, so roof mount was the way to go. However, if it breaks, I'm done with AC until I can get it home. Nothing to be done about it. It works great, has a thermostat on the wall, and blows plenty of cold AC. Now I see Dometic has a 3200w generator that looks like the Honda only green. They want $750 for it, but they claim it will run the 13,500 AC unit. I'm drooling for that...

Like I said though, if mine wasn't a toy hauler, I'd have a false wall in the back with a window unit. Camping and your AC goes out? No problem, just go get another one. So it really depends on your use and your trailer.

[jwhite]

I put in a false wall that has wheels on the bottom so I can open and close it,it works great,the other thing I was able to put in a wood screen door and screen in the wall very easily.
I had made a rear screen but it was a pain it put it in place and the wind would blow it around and going in and out was always a problem to reseal it?
now I just go in and out the screen door.
I made 2 plugs from insulation that will fit in the wall so I can insulate it in the winter and summer and take them out when the weather is good.
it really worked out great.
I have ptotos in my album.