Minuet 6 Metre a/c installation

[Becky B.]

My husband & I are helping our daughter & her hubby install a Penguin Low Profile in their Minuet 6 Metre. She has the drip pan from Airstream as well. We removed the outlet that is on the ceiling in the trailer & found the drip tube right there. The question is: is there support up there already installed for the a/c? It seems as though there is some type of ribbing 16" square, but we're not sure if it needs to be supported more. Anyone already installed a/c on a 6 Metre that didn't have the hole cut? Any helpful hints? We're a bit nervous to make the first cut--especially since it's not our trailer!! She's a member too by the name of My Happy Pill. It sure does make her happy! She's taking me & her sister camping in two weeks & needs to be cool--she has a baby on the way (I'm gonna be a grandma!!!) Thanks in advance!

[maxandgeorgia]

Please keep us posted on what you find out about a/c installation on the Minuet 6M. We are still bouncing around what to do about air conditioning since we can't seem to find the will to cut into the ceiling or disturb the exterior outline. We are looking into the upright portable a/c units made by LG, Maytag, others and available at HDepot, for example. Will require only a dryer vent on the exterior and reportedly evaporates the condensate well. We first saw one in a T@B that was used for full time travel by a couple and their two large (!) dogs for the past two years. They had only rave remarks about theirs and it piqued our interest. We'll follow this post to see what you find out. Best wishes in the project, upcoming camping, and grandbaby! ~G

[Becky B.]

I'll make sure we take lots of pictures!

[Becky B.]

A little help out there??? Anyone???

[overlander64]

Greetings Becky!

My Minuet didn't have an air conditioner when I purchased it, and I had Ace Fogdall RV install one for me. What I learned from their installation was:

• Airstream will give you a measurement taken off of the front first bow that is measured to the rear to find the location of the opening that needs to be cut. The opening is centered left to right, but I don't remember whether the opening was centered on the measurement provided by Airstream or if that was to the leading edge of the opening.
• Assuming that the coach has the optional air conditioning prep package (the electrical outlet in the ceiling confirms its presence), nearly all of the necessary bracing is present when the hole is opened in the designated location.
• Once the hole was opened up, the perimeter of the opening was braced to keep the roof panels from being deformed when the unit is sealed to the opening.

The only thing that I can't remember is whether any additional bracing was needed between the roof bows where the air conditioner is located.

Good luck with your project!

Kevin

[Becky B.]

Thanks, Kevin. I called Airstream & they gave me the measurement of 79" aft, which the man thought was a measurement from the rear rib. However, my husband & I went over to the trailer & measured that & it was WAY off. It's measured from the front, as Kevin said. We aren't sure if that's from the front of the 14" or the rear, or center either. We removed the outlet in the middle of the ceiling & found the drain tube & wiring in there. We decided to drill a hole (when we actually install) and nibble around it with the air nibbler to find out exactly where the perimiter of the hole is. There are rivets in a 16" square on the outside, so we're sure there is some kind of metal in there. I guess we'll have to assess if there is a need for more bracing once we get in there. We planned on installing the a/c tomorrow since we took delivery on the unit from one place & the drip pan from Airstream. Much to our chagrin, the wrong a/c unit was delivered (we didn't open it until today) to our business. Now we have to send it back & get the Duo Therm low profile that Jill ordered! Oh well, hopefully they'll send a new one as fast as they sent the first one--ordered one day, delivered the next! If things go perfectly, what fun would all the stories be?!

[etmayes]

I just saw this post. We are new to the forum. We recently purchased a 1978 6 metre and need to do the homework before installing an AC unit. Ours has the electrical outlet installed, and there is a drain hose too. I need to know the exact details of where to cut the hole and any other tips or pitfalls to watch out for. Does anyone else have some advice?

Thanks,
etargy

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

I'll make sure we take lots of pictures!

OK, where's the pictures?

[Becky B.]

I could swear I put pictures up here, but I'll post them again. My daughter is actually selling her Minuet. The new owners are picking it up this weekend! The a/c install was pretty straight forward. I don't recall the exact measurement from the front of the trailer to the cut out. I got the figure by calling Airstream in Jackson Center, Ohio. They gave me the exact measurement. The pictures are pretty self-explanatory. It was a really hot day when this a/c went in! She did have issues with the unit itself, and after many phone calls & diagnostics & a bunch of other run arounds, she got a new interior "brain" if you will & didn't have any issues after that. So, without anymore introductions, I'll post all the pictures I have of the Dometic Penguin Low Profile installation:

More to be posted on next link (I don't think I can post more than 8 at a time)

[Becky B.]

next 8

[Becky B.]

note the wood used for support of the curve of the roof.

[Becky B.]

Finishing up. Told you I'd take a lot of pictures.....just took a few years to put up! (I'm sure they're on the forums somewhere else too....)

[vswingfield]

Nice job, Becky!

Covers all the issues, including enlarging the hole and adding the bracing to the roof.

Well documented and I'm sure lots of people will benefit.

[ViewRVs]

WOW. I am doing to same thing right now! Thanks for the pictures!

My really bad AC install

Did you frame all 4 sides of the opening?

[etmayes]

Thanks for the quick response. That's very helpful. If I only had a shop and forklift like yours!

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by 1985air345

WOW. I am doing to same thing right now! Thanks for the pictures!

My really bad AC install

Did you frame all 4 sides of the opening?

If I remember correctly, two sides were framed already. If I don't remember correctly, I would frame all 4 sides.

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by etargy

Thanks for the quick response. That's very helpful. If I only had a shop and forklift like yours!

Really, the only thing they used the fork lift for was for getting the unit to the top. Two ladders & two strong guys could probably do the trick (just ask me.....I directed the whole thing & remained sweat-free!!!!!)