Need to get on the roof!

[sledf15]

I'm used to rectangular trailers with ladders... Two questions here.

(1) What do I need to know about getting on the roof of a 1977 Argosy 26? Do's and don'ts?!

(2) My air conditioner blows cool air all day, but not cold air. I'd like to troubleshoot. That probably means I need to get on the roof. Thoughts on what to look for, assuming I figure out question (1)?

Thanks so much! Our maiden voyage with the kiddos in the "new" trailer is this weekend...

Jeff

[Belegedhel]

Don't ever step on the formed end caps. In theory, you can walk around on the rest of it without worry, but I try to keep my weight on the rivet lines. To get up there, lean your ladder against the awning, and up you go. As for troubleshooting your AC goes, about all you can do is confirm your fan blades are not damaged, and that the condenser coil is not stopped up with birds' nests or wasp nests. Beyond that, you will need special equipment and knowledge. If this is the original AC, then it might be time to make a decision about replacing it altogether or attempting some kind of rebuild.

[drboyd]

There's a picture of my padded ladder in this thread... http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...on-118117.html

[TG Twinkie]

The original Armstrong AC is repairable. The new ones are designed to be replaced.
Your typical RV shop is not the place to have the Armstrong unit checked out. Heating and Air Conditioning Shops have the skills required.
You may have to remove it and take it to them.
That would be the major consideration in my opinion.

[sledf15]

Thanks for the "walk on the rivet lines" and the picture of the padded ladder! This is a "newer" AC unit--I think 1990's. Dometic duotherm... Someone at work said "just get it charged with freon". I hope it's that easy. Does that generate any more info?

We've been cleaning and testing things out. Packing the trailer tomorrow. On the road Thursday. Excited! Will have to post pictures, even though it will only be cool to us.

[Belegedhel]

Well, it is good news, in my opinion, that you have a "modern" AC unit. You should get more help at a typical rv repair place than you might with the original AC unit. Did you pull off the shroud and take a visual?

[sledf15]

Haven't looked at AC unit yet, but first trip went great. Here are a few pictures. Next question... how to pack/re-pack the wheel bearings...

[Belegedhel]

You might want to seriously investigate a rock guard for your front panoramic (wing) windows. These windows are probably more likely to catch a stone than the center window, and they are hard to come by, and very expensive to replace.

good luck!

[Splitrock]

I may have tried a few tricks to get on the roof.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f478...oof-66345.html

This setup is how I did all the top work including replacing the air conditioner and all 3 roof vents.

[BentMetal]

I was just up on my roof walking on rivet lines. I also laid some boards across the rivets on top. I sure like the scaffold Splitrock did. It will provide more stability.. not much room to move around on top of a curved Argosy.