Bob and Susan, A window type A/C installed under the street side window, or under the lounge on the curbside is , in my opinon, the best spot for it. I agree to keep it off the roof. Less weight, and garbage up there to cause problems. A recent installation by Preston Pierson, in his Bambi, was done and done well. Check your last issue of the VA for explanation, and pictures. A little GT would probably be cooled well with a 7,000 btu unit. If you want smaller, go with a 5,000 btu unit, and have fun. I've seen those 5,000 btu units at Sam's for as little as, $189. Preston put a curved radius heater door and frame on his Bambi with gas shock lifts, and it looks like it was a factory option. If you really want a pro looking unit, go with the new Dometic, "Cool Cat". About $700, but powerful. Ask Roy Lashway about performance. He put one in his Bubble. I thnk it would be much cheaper to build your own frame, and exhaust ducts, and drain line. $200 for a good window unit and $200 to install, you are still ahead of the game. Those roof top units, are OK, for some larger coaches. But only the slim 9 inch tall models, like the Slim Coleman, or the expensive Duo Therm Penguin. Put a window unit in , under a cabinet, and take pictures,.......we'd like to see the results. But Please, ......no window unit , in a window, ,,,,,, that is so tacky, it reminds me of Clinton's home state. <<grin>> Bill Scott Charter Member and Membership Chairman Washington DC Unit, WBCCI #3221 Our Homepage; http://www.servintfree.net/wbcci-dc/
I'm doing the final layout of my galley (gutted '62 Globe Trotter), and have eliminated my stove/cooktop, replacing it with a 2 burner cooktop only. Will have to eat the Thanksgiving turkey elsewhere. So I'm thinking this large space where the oven was (above wheel well but below counter height, streetside) might be a good spot for a small window air conditioner unit (as well as hiding a downdraft range vent motor). It would all be within the Airstream, but when in use, an access door would have to be flipped open outside for air circulation and condensation drip. Is it likely to perform well without being fully extended out of the trailer? I was thinking maybe a light gauge stainless steel box (foam insul. outside) within the cavity of the cabinet to contain/direct the heat and condensate, leaving some space all around the unit fot air circulation to the outside. Is it going to need more "open air" than that to work? I'm not willing to put a unit on the top, and these window units can be purchased in the $300 range (especially at this time of year). Will they handle the bumps of Airstream life? I've seen them pictured in other trailers (front and rear windows, which I'm also not interested in doing), and I'd rather not do the under the front window placement (will be booth = frozen feet). I'm using the space under the gaucho for batteries and drawers, and I don't think cold air blowing from the bathroom into the trailer (if AC was installed at floor in back) would always be a good thing. Over the wheel well seems like a good place re: weight placement and where the cold air comes out. Suggestions? Improvements? Nay-sayers? Thanks. It really helps to have you folks to run ideas past. Kind of like group therapy. Bob Harper '62 Globe Trotter in SC To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.
