Best AC solution for 1962 Globetrotter?

[roamingpo8t]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Sorry this post is so late. I just now found it.

So glad you are new owners to a 62 GT. I hope you may now be in possession of it and that you are happy with your eBay purchase.

I am very much opposed to roof top AC units. They ruin the looks, particularly of vintage Airstreams, and they are very noisy, inefficient and use way too much power especially when starting up.
DanAttachment 385080Attachment 385081

TouringDan, thanks for your input! I got my trailer back to east coast and it is waiting in a shop near me for a new refrigerator. Your reply is very helpful as we are scratching our head on what to do with the AC, as I can't live without one starting late May.

[roamingpo8t]

Originally Posted by awolff

What did you end up doing? We are investigating options as well for a 66 Caravel.

I haven't done anything about the AC yet. Mini-split is the best if I can find a spot for it. Also considering a portable AC unit as this one:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Costway-...3048/307340713

Since the original furnace seem to be working according to my local RV shop inspection, we only need the AC during the summer trips. I intend to find a temporary AC option (window unit or free standing unit like the one above) for this summer (we plan to take the trailer to Maine and Nova Scotia if they allow us in) and find a more long term solution later. Will keep you guys posted on what we do and how it goes. Thanks for everyone's input and we appreciate this great community where everyone pitches in to help!

[roamingpo8t]

Originally Posted by awolff

Hi Touring Dan, what is this 'mini split' that you refer to? Is it part heater, part AC? Do you have information and or pictures of one installed?

Thanks so much in advance,
Alcinda

Here is an example of mini split - the merit of mini split is that it is a heat pump, you get AC and heat in one unit. If I were totally redo my vintage trailer, I will go this route.

[roamingpo8t]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Bubba- I don’t see why not. I filled out the warranty information for my installation, even though it is not installed yet [emoji16], and mainly what they required was where and when you purchased it, the address where it was installed (we keep our Airstream here at the house) and the license # of my installer friend.

The warranty is 5 yr parts, 7 yr compressor. It is not something I am too concerned about since the usage factor won’t be high and the cost was relatively low.

Dan

Dan, do you mind sharing your installer's info? I can take my trailer to him in VA. Please PM me if you could help! Thanks!

[roamingpo8t]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

I would be a little concerned about using the propane furnace even though it may still work. It is 58 years old and may have a hole in the heat exchanger which would allow carbon monoxide into the interior. My Tradewind furnace worked but the fan used a lot of battery, about 6 amps. I installed a new smaller furnace where the fan only needs 1.8 amps.

If you have shore power you could use 1 or 2 small 1,500 watt electric heaters.

If you install a mini split it will heat your GT. It will use about 1,200 watts of power but will provide about 3,600 watts of heat. The coefficient of performance is about 3. Unlike a regular heat pump that uses electric resistance heaters to provide heat at low temperatures, the mini split will heat down to -13 F.

Dan

Thanks for the info. We are concerned about the propane leak as well. Since we haven't use the trailer yet, as it is still in a shop waiting for a new fridge and our towing vehicle is on order.

Do you think installing a carbon monoxide detector might help? We do want to find a long term solution that combine AC and heat, so mini split sounds like the best option.

Now, what if we go boondocking ? As our trailer is only 19', we can probably do a 3-4 day trip without power. Can we run AC or heat off a dual fuel generator? If yes, what is the minimum size we have to get? I don't have a lot of space in my SUV for a huge generator. Anyone's input is appreciated! Thanks!

[TouringDan]

Here is the specification sheet for the 12k unit I will be installing in our 95 34’ and also in our son’s 78 Caravanner.

A 1,200 watt generator should power it fine.

Dan