Adding an A/C to 2001 Westlake?

[OC Campers]

We really want to get a Hybrid but decided to put it off for at least a year. One of the problems we have is we've been on a lot of trips where it was really hot.We had hookups and an A/C would be real nice!
 
I called a local fleetwood dealer and they wanted $1000.00 to add it. I was thinking more like $500.00 to $700.00. I have the ABS roof, with zero sag issues. I was thinking of going to camping world or another dealer and having it done. I am also thinking about adding it myself. It seems to me you just cut a 10 or 12 " hole and mount the thing? Since it's not a factory option anyway would it be neccessary to have the Fleetwood dealer do it?
 
I am probably going to fire off an e-mail to Fleetwood and see if they will provide installation specs and any reccomendations. I will also check and see if it will void the warranty but any info you may have would help.

[Kelly]

Hey Jacqui ~

Didn't even know you could get a PU without AC in California!!  

If you save your old issues of PUT there is an article in the Summer 2002 issue that walks you step-by-step through adding AC.  This was done on a Coleman with an ABS roof ...

If you don't have it email me and I'll get it to you, if you'd like.[/FONT]

[beacher]

Your Westlake is ready for your A/C, (maybe - If it has an A/C roof brace part number: 4757A5831, already installed).

If you look at the center of your ceiling you will notice four small plugs in the shape of a square.  You pull those out and cut a square hole, using those as a guide.  Then you simply stick on the self-adhesive foam gasket, place the A/C unit carefully on the roof, and onto the gasket.  Bolt the controls on from underneath, torqing the screws just right.  Run the the power cable throught the support brace, and wire the power cable to the A/C.  Voila!  You now have A/C!

I had the pleasure of watching the dealer techs. install my A/C on delivery day, (they forgot).  Three guys installed a Carrier AirV unit in less than fifteen minutes.  And yes, I gasped as they cut the hole in my brand new roof!

[wavery]

Hey Jacqui ~

Didn't even know you could get a PU without AC in California!!  

[/FONT]

At least we don't have to run the water run-off line from the A/C to the sewer line thru a 2" hose :J

Remember, I'm from Minnesota too. I know only toooooo well how hot & humid it can get there. :p  In fact, I'd go without A/C most all summer because we mainly beach camp .

OK.....now, let's have a debate about August and bugs...

[maromeo]

At least we don't have to run the water run-off line from the A/C to the sewer line thru a 2" hose :J

Remember, I'm from Minnesota too. I know only toooooo well how hot & humid it can get there. :p  In fact, I'd go without A/C most all summer because we mainly beach camp .

OK.....now, let's have a debate about August and bugs...

I am from Mankato Minnesota, Wavery you made me laugh, that is the way it is at my parents house down in the basement.

Where do you beach camp. We have a reservation in June at Carpinteria for 4 nights and a 3 nighter at Point Mugu in August, just to get out of some of the heat here in AZ.

We added A/C in 2003 and purchased a Carrier Air V 13,500 unit at //www.rvaddons.com There is no sales tax and free shipping. That alone was a savings for us. We ended up having the dealer cutting the hole in the roof for us and putting the unit on.

I checked their site all they have is the 15,000 Carrier Air V unit which is a stronger unit and through 3/3/06 there is an additional 25% off.

Hope this helps.
Mary Romeo

[wavery]

I am from Mankato Minnesota, Wavery you made me laugh, that is the way it is at my parents house down in the basement.

Where do you beach camp. We have a reservation in June at Carpinteria for 4 nights and a 3 nighter at Point Mugu in August, just to get out of some of the heat here in AZ.

We added A/C in 2003 and purchased a Carrier Air V 13,500 unit at //www.rvaddons.com There is no sales tax and free shipping. That alone was a savings for us. We ended up having the dealer cutting the hole in the roof for us and putting the unit on.

I checked their site all they have is the 15,000 Carrier Air V unit which is a stronger unit and through 3/3/06 there is an additional 25% off.

Hope this helps.
Mary Romeo

Haven't scheduled August yet. In June we're going to Oceanside (GuajomeSP), Morrow Bay then Yosemite :yikes:  OMG, what was I thinking :eyecrazy:

We try to go to PtMugu (on the beach) at least once a month. I have a special relationship with the sea and I need that to charge my (personal) batteries.

April 6 is Refugio and May 5-6-7-8 we got a Beach site at Doheny (they are very hard to get).

You will be quite happy with your 13,500BTU Carrier AirV. That's the same unit that I have and it does a good job. Although, I don't camp in the kind of heat that you might experience in AZ.

[tlhdoc]

I am probably going to fire off an e-mail to Fleetwood and see if they will provide installation specs and any recommendations. I will also check and see if it will void the warranty but any info you may have would help.

It is a do it yourself project IF you are handy.  If you mess up the roof you have to buy a new one.  I doubt that Fleetwood will give you directions.  The directions come from the AC manufacture.  I highly recommend the Carrier Air V air conditioner with the heat strip option.  The heat strip usually adds about $50 to the cost of the AC unit.  Your roof is AC ready.  You will need the AC unit and a power cord.  Many people have done this mod them self and saved some money.  As long as you follow the directions it will not void your roof warranty.  Good luck.

[OC Campers]

Hey Jacqui ~
 
Didn't even know you could get a PU without AC in California!!
 
If you save your old issues of PUT there is an article in the Summer 2002 issue that walks you step-by-step through adding AC. This was done on a Coleman with an ABS roof ...
 
If you don't have it email me and I'll get it to you, if you'd like.

Thanks Kelly,  I know we go the magazine back then but I am sure we no longer have it.
 
As far as a popup with no air.  When we lived in Southern California, a/c wasn't needed.  We only lived 4 miles from the beach but we have since moved to Northern California and it is hotter than h#ll in the summer.  You have to go up to 7,000 feet in altitude to excape the heat.
 
Jacqui

[Camping Coxes]

Jacqui --
 
When we bought our PU the previous owners had just had air installed, fortunately for us.  Paul noticed right away that the lower wall on the dinette side was loose, asif it wasn't connected to the body.  Paul being Paul, he took the whole thing apart (and it snowballed from there, as it does when men get tools in hand), but to make a long story a little less long, it appears the installers tried to run the cord inside the wall, but then when they couldn't do that, they didn't reattach the wall.  Paul reattached it and the cord runs down the window, but is hidden by the curtain.  So it sounds like installation isn't that big of a deal, but you can make it too big if you try to get too fancy.
 
I love our AC and couldn't imagine life without it.  Sometimes we don't use it, other times it's running 90% of the time.  If nothing else, leaving it on "fan" setting drowns out noisy neighbors!

[flyfisherman]

O.C. Campers = I'm going to ramble on about an A/C unit I just saw in a little hard side that  caught my eye. Understand I know NOTHING about this brand & style of RV A/C or what the possibilities are for your application, but here goes - I was looking at a little T@B (teardrop style) hardside which really made an impression on me, especially the A/C, how it was placed and really had a cabinet look about it. Instead of on the roof, it's mounted on the interior side. Don't know how practical this would be for you, but here it is:

http://www.tab-rv.com/tour/index.php

scroll down to the air and click on it.

Since I use to have an ABS roofed Coleman, and had some roof sag issues, I'd be real nervous about mounting an A/C onto a roof I was having no difficulty with! But who knows, maybe you've had a roof replacement. Anyway, thought I'd draw it to your attention.

[tlhdoc]

O.C. Campers = I'm going to ramble on about an A/C unit I just saw in a little hard side that caught my eye. Understand I know NOTHING about this brand & style of RV A/C or what the possibilities are for your application, but here goes - I was looking at a little T@B (teardrop style) hardside which really made an impression on me, especially the A/C, how it was placed and really had a cabinet look about it. Instead of on the roof, it's mounted on the interior side. Don't know how practical this would be for you, but here it is:
 

I doubt that the size ac that will cool a TAB would cool a full size PU.

[flyfisherman]

I doubt that the size ac that will cool a TAB would cool a full size PU.

12,000 BTU is 12,000 BTU.

[tlhdoc]

12,000 BTU is 12,000 BTU.

I didn't know what size the TAB's AC units were, wow that will freeze you out of the little trailers.  Aliners use ACs around 6000 btus.  I guessed that is what TAB would use in the little tear drop campers.

[OC Campers]

Thanks for the info,if I go that way I'll do it myself. Fleetwood did respond to my e-mail. They said I don't have to have the Fleetwood dealer do it but I have to use t895heir installation kit. That kit is only available from the Fleetwood dealer. Depending on the price of the kit, the $895.00 plus tax the dealer quoted may be reasonable after all.
 
One problem I have is I just bought a pool table with the money I was going to get the A/C with. I may have to put it off for a bit.
 
Randy

[wavery]

Thanks for the info,if I go that way I'll do it myself. Fleetwood did respond to my e-mail. They said I don't have to have the Fleetwood dealer do it but I have to use t895heir installation kit. That kit is only available from the Fleetwood dealer. Depending on the price of the kit, the $895.00 plus tax the dealer quoted may be reasonable after all.
 
One problem I have is I just bought a pool table with the money I was going to get the A/C with. I may have to put it off for a bit.
 
Randy

WOW!!! A PU with a pool table :yikes:

What kind of TV do you have? :p