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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 22, 2014 19:09:55 GMT -8
Anybody with a larger trailer have a roof top unit? If so what brand is it? I also just noticed the trailer on the forum logo has a roof top a/c...
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Post by bigbill on Jun 22, 2014 19:32:36 GMT -8
Most of these old trailer were not designed to support a roof air unit. So you might need to pull the roof off and strengthen the supporting structure, to avoid future problems. If you go with roof air make sure you buy one sized for your trailer a friend of mine bought a good used on at a great price and it would freeze you to death but it got the trailer cold so fast it did not remove the humidity so you felt cold and clamy not comfortable.
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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 22, 2014 19:50:41 GMT -8
Pulling the roof anyways to replace with a one piece roof and to repair the rot around the old vents.
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Post by vikx on Jun 22, 2014 22:30:01 GMT -8
The R Pods have a low profile A/C, black so they don't stick out so much. Polar Cub is one model but not sure it's made anymore...
I agree with supper structure to support 100 pounds bouncing around up there.
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jodybitzz
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Post by jodybitzz on Jun 23, 2014 5:51:07 GMT -8
Most of these old trailer were not designed to support a roof air unit. So you might need to pull the roof off and strengthen the supporting structure, to avoid future problems. If you go with roof air make sure you buy one sized for your trailer a friend of mine bought a good used on at a great price and it would freeze you to death but it got the trailer cold so fast it did not remove the humidity so you felt cold and clamy not comfortable. We were wondering the same about the humidity. We are going to put a roof top AC unit on and the smallest one we can find is 13,5 BTU. The camper is only 15ft long (tounge included). Any suggestions to remedy that issue? Btw, we added plenty of roof support to hold the 90lb weight. Also, I learned that the low profile units are only 3 inches shorter than the regular and can cost almost double. |
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Post by bigbill on Jun 23, 2014 6:33:25 GMT -8
jodybitzz
They used to make smaller units for truck campers. I think 13500 btu unit would be large for that unit accept in the very hottest weather, 100 plus. Coleman used to make a mini mach 7000, Polar cub (9000) by Dometic I think. Talk to dealers that sell truck campers. I would also search truck camper A/C and tear drop A/C to see what I could learn there.
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Post by bigbill on Jun 23, 2014 6:42:08 GMT -8
We were wondering the same about the humidity. We are going to put a roof top AC unit on and the smallest one we can find is 13,5 BTU. The camper is only 15ft long (tounge included). Any suggestions to remedy that issue? Btw, we added plenty of roof support to hold the 90lb weight. Also, I learned that the low profile units are only 3 inches shorter than the regular and can cost almost double. My part of the world where we camp the most we have a lot of high 80s low 90s weather with 80 to 95 percent humidity so we need a unit that runs more to keep the humidity down. Also a small unit will work better with a smaller generator if boon docking. I am not sure but the smaller units do cost as much or more to purchase I believe. Of course if you live in the west where temps run 110 plus with low humidity then the larger unit would be fine. I also hear that some of the new A/C units exceed 125 lb. |
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Post by bigbill on Jun 23, 2014 9:47:19 GMT -8
Depending on where you live the " experts" suggest 25 to 50 BTUs per sq. ft. of floor space with 8 foot or less ceilings. This is based on 2 person occupancy. When cooling a trailer the exterior color and the insulation make a difference, also parking in shade or full sun.
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soup
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Post by soup on Jun 23, 2014 14:50:45 GMT -8
IMHO
I would NOT recommend a roof unit if you have 1" thick ceiling rafters. (Like on Shasta's)
I would only put a roof mounted AC on units with 2" thick roof beams.
If you put a roof AC unit on 1" thick roof beams they will bow downward unless you re-enforce with 3/4", 1/8th thick steel straps on the sides to prevent bowing from the weight.
That's my 2 cents worth.
soup
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Post by bigbill on Jun 23, 2014 16:05:47 GMT -8
Soup I think I think that is worth at least a nickle as mentioned above with some of these A/C units reaching 125 lb I might suggest 1/4"x3/4" screwed on about every foot on both sides. These roofs barely support themselves in stock condition.
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soup
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Post by soup on Jun 23, 2014 17:23:18 GMT -8
You're right. 1/4". I don't know what I was thinking with the 1/8" LOL
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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 23, 2014 17:29:13 GMT -8
IMHO I would NOT recommend a roof unit if you have 1" thick ceiling rafters. (Like on Shasta's) I would only put a roof mounted AC on units with 2" thick roof beams. If you put a roof AC unit on 1" thick roof beams they will bow downward unless you re-enforce with 3/4", 1/8th thick steel straps on the sides to prevent bowing from the weight. That's my 2 cents worth. soup Shouldn't be a issue, this is for my Kenskill, they used 2x framing, but even still I'm planing on using steel to reinforce the framing. |
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Post by bigbill on Jun 23, 2014 19:20:44 GMT -8
schweetcruisers I hope you realize that after the job you did on your last one we expect this one to be at least twice as nice.  Nothing short of a magazine cover. |
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jodybitzz
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1968 Shasta 1500
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Post by jodybitzz on Jun 23, 2014 19:21:10 GMT -8
IMHO I would NOT recommend a roof unit if you have 1" thick ceiling rafters. (Like on Shasta's) I would only put a roof mounted AC on units with 2" thick roof beams. If you put a roof AC unit on 1" thick roof beams they will bow downward unless you re-enforce with 3/4", 1/8th thick steel straps on the sides to prevent bowing from the weight. That's my 2 cents worth. soup We've rebuilt this from the frame up and have added more than enough to support a roof top unit. With as many studs and supports we have, I think we could survive a tornado! It's almost over built. |
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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 23, 2014 19:29:38 GMT -8
schweetcruisers I hope you realize that after the job you did on your last one we expect this one to be at least twice as nice. Nothing short of a magazine cover. Depends on the Magazine, I wouldn't want it on Vintage Camper Trailers!! |
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