The fifties and early sixties models that came from the factory without
Air Conditioning, in some cases, did not have the adequate structural
bracing to support a 100 lb plus, Air cond. unit. I have seen some mid
sixties coaches with add on roof AC units that are just plain ugly and
look very "Top Heavy". Not only will the unit, "Oil Can", up and down
on the roof, it will sometimes bend the roof down, permanently. It
looks bad, and is a hinderance to any aerodynamic flow. I have seen
some very clean installations of window type AC units, under the
streetside couch, or cabinet. The unit is less expensive, out of the
airflow, fairly easy to install and service. Depending on what size you
need and how much you want to spend will dictate how quiet the unit will
be and how much performance it will give you. Roy Lashway installed a
Cool Cat, in his Bubble, and says it is a little noisy. Maybe he will
comment further. My roof mounted Penquin, is about the best you can
buy, and even it is a little noisy. The bottom line is that if you can
install the AC inside under a bed or couch or cabinet, it makes for a
far superior arrangement than any roof model.
Bill Scott
66 Trade Wind, Penquin 13,500
