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05-10-2014, 04:36 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1961 16' Bambi
Avinger
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 103
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AC for 16'
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
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05-10-2014, 04:54 PM
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#2
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Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
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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.
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05-10-2014, 04:57 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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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
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06-13-2014, 12:44 PM
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#4
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Silver Lamb
1969 27' Overlander
1961 16' Bambi
Bonner Springs
, Kansas
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 55
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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?
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06-13-2014, 02:14 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Chicagoland
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
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The 2014 Sport 16' uses an 11,000 BTU AC unit.
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07-10-2014, 08:49 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1978 25' Tradewind
1954 15' Byam Holiday
Vintage Kin Owner
Linden
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 294
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Portable AC?
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
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07-10-2014, 09:38 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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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.
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
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08-20-2014, 08:33 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
2010 16' International
kittery
, Maine
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 94
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Quote:
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.
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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.
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08-21-2014, 03:33 PM
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#9
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Len and Jeanne
2005 16' International CCD
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Creston Valley
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,793
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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.)
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08-21-2014, 03:42 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1968 22' Safari
Buda
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 612
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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.
__________________
DFlores
David & Diana
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08-21-2014, 03:44 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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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.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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08-21-2014, 04:04 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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An Airstream is not a house, they get way hot in the sun.
If I had no a/c it would steal my joy.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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08-21-2014, 05:20 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
1961 16' Bambi
Malden
, Missouri
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 159
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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.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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08-21-2014, 05:24 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Nice looking trailer!!
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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08-21-2014, 05:41 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
1961 16' Bambi
Malden
, Missouri
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan
Nice looking trailer!!
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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.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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10-16-2014, 11:41 AM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
1961 16' Bambi
Avinger
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 103
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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.
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