roof AC unit in 54 Safari

[Collapso]

Has anyone had experience installing a roof AC unit in one of the roof vents on an early Airsatream? I would like to installl one in my 54 Safari and am hoping the roof can support it. Also, any recommendations (brand and where to purchase)?
Thanks much!

[wkerfoot]

Not without some reinforcement. I put a new bow front and rear of the center vent opening and reinforced all the way around the hole. But then I had the inside skin out to make this easier.

Bill

Originally Posted by Collapso

Has anyone had experience installing a roof AC unit in one of the roof vents on an early Airsatream? I would like to installl one in my 54 Safari and am hoping the roof can support it. Also, any recommendations (brand and where to purchase)?
Thanks much!

[Collapso]

Thank you, Bill.
I plan on taking down the inner skin to fix some leak issues and replace insulation, too.
Did you use straight steel rod as reinforcement, running it from stringer to stringer?

[wkerfoot]

I had the reinforcement done by MEL Trailers in Orange, before Uwe started Area 63, and as I recall they used aluminum to make new bows and reinforcement channels and then wood spacers.

Bill

Originally Posted by Collapso

Thank you, Bill.
I plan on taking down the inner skin to fix some leak issues and replace insulation, too.
Did you use straight steel rod as reinforcement, running it from stringer to stringer?

[Air Stream 1]

Bill, about what was the cost of the bow work? I think I need to replace a couple

[wkerfoot]

I don't recall, but it was not much. You can make your own, take a piece of aluminum sheet, not tempered, bend into a c channel and they notch every few inches to be able to bend it to the shell contour. You can use two c channels and offset the notches to reinforce.

Bill

Originally Posted by Air Stream 1

Bill, about what was the cost of the bow work? I think I need to replace a couple