A/C and Furnace

[Charles Q Treichel]

I have an old 77 Airstream and am engaged in fixing it up. I am considering putting a new A/C either in a window or in the space to the side of the refrigerator. I would remove the top mounted one and seal this off. My question is 1) Is this advisable? 2) What BTU rating should I go for? I was considering either 1 or 2 small 5200BTU units.

I am concerned about the Suburban Furnace. It seems to go through only one cycle and then does not re-ignite, although the fan keeps running. From reading prior messages, I wonder if it is even worth trying to fix (given its age) New ones are available (on E-Bay) for $340.

[davidz71]

My Suburban furnace did the same thing. The circuit board was shot and the motor was not spooling up fast enough to trip the sail. There were also muddaubber nests inside the combustion chamber. A new circuit board that shuts off the motor if the furnace does not ignite after 3-4 trys cost me $140 but am not sure what the new motor was. A regular circuit board without the shutoff feature was around $110. Everything together cost me $343 including labor. It runs like a charm now.

[mkeith54]

Personally I would go back with the same style of A/C in the roof, only with a new unit. As to the heater you can get a new suburban heater, the same as what is in the trailer for around $370.00 from : http://www.stores.ebay.com/id=12923597 Rle of thumb is 1000 BTU per foot of trailer, or so I've been told. I have a 26' and I'm going with a 30,000 BTU unit as overkill, I have a wife that flat insists on being warm
BTW you can new A/C's at the same place. His prices ar 2/3's what most people want.

Mike

[thenewkid64]

I would have to agree with Mike on the AC Issue. The window units are not really suited to the rigors of road travel. I would also sugest that if you are gong to replace the AC you may want to consider adding the optional heat strip. It will not help if the weather is brutally cold but can be used in lieu of the furnace when it is chilly.

[74Argosy24MH]

You would also need to consider the load the AC unit will add to the wall. They aren't designed for this, you would have to reinforce from the floor to support the weight.

John

[74SovereignInt.]

Furnace in my '74 is probably original. The fan seems to blow although I can't get the pilot to light. My question is, should I find a local shop to service it and check into a possible safety recall or should Ijust bite the bullet and by a new replacement. I hate to throw good money after bad so going new wouldn't be all that bad.

Other question, what is that propane mantle thing for near my refer? It looks like a larger version of a kerosene lantern mantle. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[thenewkid64]

My advice on the furnace is pull it and replace it with a new one . You can sleep well in the knowelge that you WILL wake up in the morning, and you should wake up warm!.

The mantle is a Propane Lantern that many trailers came equipped with. Uses no power and thows a good bit of light. I would be sure it is all there before attemting to use it. There should be a globe and shade for it.

[Pahaska]

My last trailer was a TrailManor. While my large trailer had a conventional, top-mounted AC, all of the smaller TM models used regular window-type ACs, mounted in the cabinets and sitting in drip pans..

The only gripes that I ever heard were:
1. that the AC blew against the opposite wall and it was hard to get cool air to the trailer ends,
2. Vibration sometimes wore holes in the drip pans.

I never heard of any failures due to road vibration.

[74SovereignInt.]

there is no globe for the lamp. Any idea if some are still around?

[john hd]

hey charles,

did your trailer come from behind the lock and key place on atwood ave?

just wondering.

john

[uwe]

There are a few places you can order parts from for the propane light.
The lamps were made by Humphrey. I bought mantles at http://www.gas-lights.com

They were very friendly and helpful.