AC Replacement Question

[1960airstream]

Hi folks: I have a 93 34 Limited and the original factory AC died the other week during our recent 100 degree weather here in Western AZ. In prep for my replacement ACs arrival I went ahead and removed the old one which is a Dometic Penguin. After getting the mechanical works off of the roof, I went to remove the plastic bottom pan and found that it was adhered with gobs of waterproof caulking essentially sealing it to the roof. I had to destroy the pan to get it removed and deal with quite a mess to get the surface prepped. My previous experience with AC units was that they were usually installed with a foam gasket.

Does anyone know if this was a typical factory recommended installation method instead of the foam gasket? Is caulking a method I should consider in the reinstallation process?

Thanks for the help......

John Starcher.......Quartzsite AZ
1993 Classic Limited
1960 Overlander
1958 Flying Cloud
1954 Safari

[overlander63]

Drip pans are OEM equipment, and should be replaced if you are installing a new Penguin. This channels the water from the evaporator to a drain tube instead of running down the side of the trailer.

[markdoane]

It depends on who will be working on it next. If your initials are JC or CW, you let the next guy worry about it.

If it was me, I would use putty around the edges and the foam gasket, modified to clear the water channel.

[myboyburt]

The Dealer installed the Penquin A/C along with the Airstream A/C drip pan - part # 961270 (drip pan only) and they used SikaFlex caulk to seal the unit to our rig.

Oh, our old A/C was sealed to the rig with caulking too. Direct from factory.

[AYRSTRM2]

Carrier AirV ACs don't require ANY caulk or sealer, nor drip pan. You can modify it slightly to run down the drip tube you already have, but the "drip pan" is integrated into the design.

[1960airstream]

Thanks for the responses. I am getting a Carrier 15k Low Profile and will do some more research on integrating the existing drip line into the new AC. Regards....John