AC mounted in pickup bed?

plossl · 10-16-2007, 01:36 PM

Anyone tried it? Why wouldn't it be a less expensive, quieter alternative to the roof mount? I can get a great, very quiet room AC for about 400 dollars. And sitting in the pickup bed it wouldn't vibrate the AS or keep us awake. Would it be that hard to run a duct back to the AS after I've parked? I think I'd cut a duct in the front wall and blow it in low with roof vents to let out the hot. Any thoughts?

uwe · 10-16-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plossl

Anyone tried it? Why wouldn't it be a less expensive, quieter alternative to the roof mount? I can get a great, very quiet room AC for about 400 dollars. And sitting in the pickup bed it wouldn't vibrate the AS or keep us awake. Would it be that hard to run a duct back to the AS after I've parked? I think I'd cut a duct in the front wall and blow it in low with roof vents to let out the hot. Any thoughts?

You need to run 2 ducts, one for cold air, one for return air. Even the most powerful A/C that runs on 120V won't have enough cooling capacity to continually cool down hot outside air. It helps to have a recirculating system, with only a small amount of fresh air added.
Otherwise, it should work just fine, if you keep the ducts short enough, and insulated well.
Why not mount on a cart, like a generator, so you can move it close to the trailer when you need it?
Good Luck with your project. Sounds doable to me, although unconventional. I am sure it is going to have many advantages, solong tha tyou don't mind the extra setup time, and storing it etc.

plossl · 10-16-2007, 02:00 PM

I like the cart idea, but then I have to move the AC in and out of the truck. I can make it more secure if I lock it into the bed somehow. A return duct is necessary-you're right. I'll have to think about where to run it from.

clancy_boy · 10-16-2007, 02:07 PM

You could go with a spilt system - inside blower unit and outside condenser that could have quick connect fittings. Just remove the outside unit for transport and leave the inside unit mounted all the time. Just the cooling gasses move from inside to outside. Cost would be high but home units are available.

plossl · 10-16-2007, 02:09 PM

Kind of like central air conditioning . . . good idea!

clancy_boy · 10-16-2007, 03:01 PM

Look at these:

ductless mini split air conditioner system mini split air conditioning ac unit -

Minnie's Mate · 10-16-2007, 03:52 PM

Last spring I attended a forum rally and a Spartan Manor was there that had a computer room A/C condensing unit mounted to the tongue just behind the LP gas tanks. The cooling coil was located in one of the closets (would probably fit under the gaucho) and the duct work was run through the other closets and under the tub to provide central A/C in both bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and salon. Very ingenious system. You might try something like that. The owner post on this forum. I'll be with the same rally group in two weeks. If he is there I'll try to get photos and info. Did a super job in upper 80's weather. Sure it would do a great job in most summer temps, too.

Fyrzowt · 10-16-2007, 05:26 PM

Once you get the rest of it figured out - seems as though you could route the cold air into the heater duct system for distribution in the trailer.
Dave

plossl · 10-16-2007, 09:18 PM

There must be a way; the question is between a split system (which must be connected under pressure) and a window mount unit that would sit in the pickup bed and be connected with ducting. I'm leaning toward the window mount unit due to simplicity, but I'm thinking I will have to oversize it a bit to compensate for loss.