Need AC in Florida

[fairweathercamper]

I'm looking into putting an AC unit in my 1996 Colman Laredo, I really don't want to put it on the roof, ie : leaks, extra weight, harder to crank up.
I've seen pics of wall mount AC units mounted in the front or rear wall. I'm handy with making a wood frame to support the AC and I have a few ideas for the install, But I'd like comments for you experts.

[tknick]

The problem with putting it on the back is the extra weight it could potentially upset the balance of the trailer and cause dangerous sway.  Also, the rear bumper is not designed to carry any weight.  If you don't have a front storage locker, I would suggest installing it on the front tongue.  The tongue is already strong enough and you would probably only need to add a few cross braces.  

It can be done on the rear any lots of people have done it.  you need to make sure it is supported adequately to deal with the vibration of road travel.

I went from a 8 ft box w/o an A/C to 12 ft box with an A/C on the roof.  I would say there wasn't much of a difference to me.  I bought a drill from Harbor Freight for about $30 and use it to raise the roof.  That makes it real easy.

if you add one to the roof, you may or may not have to add additional bracing in the interior depending on the manufacuter's recommendations.

good luck and let us know what you decide
travis

[flyfisherman]

I'm looking into putting an AC unit in my 1996 Colman Laredo, I really don't want to put it on the roof, ie : leaks, extra weight, harder to crank up.
I've seen pics of wall mount AC units mounted in the front or rear wall. I'm handy with making a wood frame to support the AC and I have a few ideas for the install, But I'd like comments for you experts.

I don't know the size of your Laredo ... is it an 8 or 10 foot model (or larger?) -

As for me, I mostly camp in areas with no electrical hook-ups, but that's O.K., because it's usually in the North Carolina mountains and you can depend on needing some covers during the summer nights. However, when I do stay somewhere in the hot south, I use a portable A/C.  And since I don't use it in the camper that often, not necessary to tote the thing along if it's not going to be used. But there are other places I press it into use ... have a back bedroom that simply does not get enough A/C in the summer so when I have guests it gets used in that room. The point is, it can be used in places other than the PU.

The unit has an exhaust hose and in the back bedroom I've already fashioned a window for that purpose. For the little Starcraft, I simply unzip one of the corners and run the exhasut hose through there.  It's a little 8,500 BTU unit and it will handle my needs.  The unit is a Delongi portable A/C, model PAC210.  Cost was around five hundred bucks.



Fly

[roanoke91]

fairweathercamper,
Check out how I added a window A/C to my popup. This may give you some ideas.
http://www.gallery.pstartech.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=18105

[HouseInABox]

our first pop up we had ac installed on the roof and and lift system gave out we didn't want to chance it with our new to us pop up so my dh made a stand for an ac that is adjustable to you can get it level on any surface.  We bought outdoor canvas from joann fabric and it matches our canvas perfectly - we put the bunk end form down on the bed and outlined with a pencil onto the fabric I then cut it out and sewed the edges  we then turned the fabric over the bunkend form and attached snaps to close it on the inside ---- we cut a hole for the air conditioner and I sewed a hem we then attached velcro to the edges of the canvas and then to the air conditioner and attach the fabric to make a seal...(we bought an ac with a remote so we don't even have to crawl up on the bed to turn it on etc!)  We made the canvas replacement so we wouldn't have to cut the camper canvas and so when we know we won't be using the ac or have need for it we have a complete canvas covering.  For travel we put the ac on tote container lid on a rag rug inside the camper door for travelling - we have had no problems transporting it through several states and it does an awesome job cooling our camper --- when there is a heat wave we put up a clamp on oscillating fan attached to the bed brace to pull the air across the camper it works so well that our oldest closes her bunk end curtains because she gets too cold!......if you are interested i'll try to get specifics from dh.

[HouseInABox]

sorry i forgot to add that we also use bunk end solar covers....and our ac only cost under 200 at target.