AC for 16'

[grayling]

Hi all -

Regarding a 1961 Bambi - DH wants to put an AC unit on the top where the sky light is located. Couple of questions: 1) Does the roof of this trailer need to be reinforced first? (2) What BTU would you recommend for a little trailer like this?
Any additional insights also welcomed.

Thank you much!
Carol

[Len n Jeanne]

AC is standard on today's 16' Bambi. I don't know about the units' ratings, but imagine their on-line specs or a phone call to a dealer-- or an email to the Airstream (manufacturer) hotline could tell you.

[xrvr]

For a 16 I would be tempted to put a 9000 or 11000 AC unit in it so I could run it on a single 2000 honda generater. Jim

[EweMama]

We are the third owner of a 1961 Bambi. We just replaced the third AC each being 20 years apart (had paperwork). We put on a Penguin 9000 because I thought it was the quietest and how much space needed cooling. Not really very quiet. We do need AC but I sure miss an upper skylight. It needs to be reinforced because they weren't made for that weight up there.
Any chance of you looking at the kind that goes under the bed, maybe in front of the wheelwell?

[Airrogant]

The 2014 Sport 16' uses an 11,000 BTU AC unit.

[StevieB]

I also have a vintage Bambi and I was thinking about purchasing a portable AC unit instead of going with the roof mount. Has anyone tried using these as an alternative? Any recommendations for size and brand? What about a combination Air/DeHumidifier/Heat Portable system?
Thanks,
StevieB

[Melody Ranch]

I am in Texas. I do not regret putting 13000, and most recently 15000 BTU AC units on my Caravels, Bambis,Bubbles and Cloud. You need the cooling here. I have been in Bambis with 8000BTU units and the AC was horrible....hardly worth the effort.

[amm3824]

Originally Posted by grayling

Regarding a 1961 Bambi - DH wants to put an AC unit on the top where the sky light is located. Couple of questions: 1) Does the roof of this trailer need to be reinforced first? (2) What BTU would you recommend for a little trailer like this?
Any additional insights also welcomed.

Hi Carol -

I have a 2010 Bambi 16' International and it came with an 11,000 BTU from the factory. I'm in Maine and use the trailer mostly for local overnights so I've never, not once, used the AC. I removed it last weekend to save weight and to let more light into the mid-rear section. I do plan to keep the unit in case I ever need to reinstall it, sell the trailer, etc. Let's hope not

As a result, I have photos of the operation and will be glad to provide you with those if it helps you install something similar, and to show you any ribs around the area to support the heavy (100 lbs) A/C unit. Let me know if there's anything specific you need and I'll be glad to provide some pics.

[Len n Jeanne]

Living in BC, we've never needed the AC around here. But if the northerners travel out-of-area, it can be a blessing. (Recalling one scorching hot stay in Zion NP in September-- thankfully, we had it.)

[DFlores]

Carol, here in Texas go with a 13K unit, reinforce the framing around the opening with 1X2 wood placed in the aluminum channels otherwise you will find that when you tighten down the 4 bolts holding the AC unit to the roof, these aluminum channels will collapse. If you can stand on the roof (on the rib lines, of course) that there will be sufficient capacity to support your new AC, otherwise removal of interior skins will be required to add additional channel reinforcing.

[AWCHIEF]

I lived in Maine for most of 20 years. I never lived in a house that had A.C. for any of that time. The only car I had AC in was my Saab. Never needed or turned it on for 3 years. Moved back south and needed it by the time I got to Virginia. No surprise it did not work. $200 later I had working AC. I am sure there is a lesson there.

[J. Morgan]

An Airstream is not a house, they get way hot in the sun.

If I had no a/c it would steal my joy.

[ragin-cajun]

For what it's worth...The PO of my '61 Bambi placed a small window unit in place of the front window. They built a sturdy aluminum frame out of angle-iron that supports it. I'm REALLY glad they chose that INSTEAD of a roof mount. This little Bambi stays frigid even when parked in full summer sun! And it's really quiet, too.


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[J. Morgan]

Nice looking trailer!!

[ragin-cajun]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Nice looking trailer!!

Thanks! I think the PO did a great job with a/c placement, and even if it ever needed to be replaced, it would be easy to do.


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[grayling]

Finally back to respond.

If I put one in the skylight, looks like I would have to do more modification than just reinforcement - the skylight dimensions are different than modern rooftop ACs. Not only more work but also more risk for leaks.

May go with that window unit above the propane tanks. I've read up on a lot of the indoor portable ACs and sounds like they are quite noisy for such a little area.

Another possible location would be where the furnace used to be. There is a vent there that will not be re-used since I do not need a furnace again. You can see the opening where the old furnace was located below the tall cabinet. Behind this opening is the vent in the wall. May be a way to duct an AC through this? That's the wheel well behind it, duct above the well.