Different Ways to Lift an AC unit on the roof!

[rodsterinfl]

Greetings!

I was all about using a scissor jack at my church to lift the AC units off/on the roof but am hearing they do not have one. I have seen one but I dunno.

So, I need ideas for getting those things moved. Any thoughts. I am alone but I will have to find help most likely.

ALSO: DRAIN accessory on Dometics

When you flip the AC upside down, did you do that with or without the shroud on? Which is better?

[Keys Dave]

Originally Posted by rodsterinfl

Greetings!

I was all about using a scissor jack at my church to lift the AC units off/on the roof but am hearing they do not have one. I have seen one but I dunno.

So, I need ideas for getting those things moved. Any thoughts. I am alone but I will have to find help most likely.

ALSO: DRAIN accessory on Dometics

When you flip the AC upside down, did you do that with or without the shroud on? Which is better?

HD has a material lift for rent. It's a manual device for lifting up to 450 lbs. up to 12 ft up. It rents for about $80. for 8 hrs . It's cantilevered on wheels like an engine lift so it can roll right over the top of the AS if you are on a paved area.

[CBWELL]

I got my neighbour to come over with his skid steer and a good pallet. Lifted the old A/C unit onto the pallet, lowered to the ground. Cleaned up the opening and removed all the old caulking and lifted the new unit back up on the pallett. I used some thick cardboard under the new unit and left it under until close to the opening. Repeated for the rear A/C unit. Total time less than 1 hour. Gave him $100 and everyone was happy.
Then had friend on the inside, and me on the roof, and centered the units correctly and bolted down with the interior plates. Total time for each A/C was about 1 1/2 hours till turning on and checking. My units do not have the drain hose commections..

[CRH]

Put a piece of carpet on roof, lay an extension ladder at about 45 degrees up to the roof. Slide the AC up/down the ladder on a piece of plywood.

[Torpedo Family]

Before installing the new unit if it has the condensate drip pans on the front PAINT them to protect form UV deuteriation.

[Bill M.]

When I had one done by a mobile RV tech he stood on the roof and on a ladder and his wife just picked the AC up and handed it to him. I was impressed with the strength but worried about the roof and AC unit. It came out okay.

[richard5933]

Used a block & tackle hung from a rafter in our barn where the trailer is stored. Lifted the old a/c and then backed the trailer out so we could lower it down. We then got the new a/c strapped in for the ride and while it was still near the floor I connected the drain kit. Then it was hoisted up and we pulled the trailer back in. Once I hit the same parking marks the new a/c lowered right into place.

In the photo you can also see the ladder setup I use to get on the roof.

[Runamuk13]

Here's a way ......
Tow vehicle, extension ladder, plywood sled.

[Dan_Rox]

I changed mine out a couple months ago. I used 2 ladders leaning against the trailer and a 2x10 between them. It was pretty easy with 2 guys on ladders and a 3rd guy on the ground. Really didn't need the 2x10 and could have gotten away with just 2 guys on the ladders but the 3rd guy did make it easier.

[crispyboy]

Lay some cardboard or dropcloth down on the ground, keep the shroud in place, flip it upside down and a put the drain kit in place.
I have used different methods to put it on the roof. A strong guy shoving it up a ladder works well.

[Northsite]

What about the gasket that has to be replaced if torn?

[Overstreet]

On the Airstream I'd put the AC on a pallet on the forks of my tractor and lift it up/down. On your church I'd use a crane or helicopter depending upon size of the church and roof top units, RTU.

[3bcamper]

Originally Posted by rodsterinfl

Greetings!

I was all about using a scissor jack at my church to lift the AC units off/on the roof but am hearing they do not have one. I have seen one but I dunno.

So, I need ideas for getting those things moved. Any thoughts. I am alone but I will have to find help most likely.

ALSO: DRAIN accessory on Dometics

When you flip the AC upside down, did you do that with or without the shroud on? Which is better?

Try to find someone with a forklift.

[rodsterinfl]

Ok, Thank you for so many great ideas. I checked on a lift and that went nowhere. We ended up getting three ladders. We have a long extension ladder so we used that as a ramp and then I got a neighbor and my father to come out and act as spotters and push, each on their own ladders while I was on top. We thought of using the ladder in the truck bed method (Runnamok13) but it ate up the room for us to work so we just did it a simple way. It worked well. We strapped and tied the unit in its box with the sides pre cut and pulled it up. At the top I only had to lift it on its side, slide it on the cardboard into position and then pull out the cardboard- no sliding on gaskets, etc.

Getting the old one off was rope and ladder- note the caulk that is just a portion of what was on the unit, the pan, etc. it was crazy caulk day back when this thing was built/assembled!

There was one casualty. My father, not thinking about the Airstream, was getting his ladder footing solid on the ground and was rocking it against the Airstream not thinking about the metal as I went to get the rubber shield mat. He scratched it, not severely but still. I will deal with it but hey, some "pros" have really done some damage to Airstreams I have heard. I dont like the scratch but I am thankful for the help.

It is a big job. There are several errors in the Blizzard NXT Manual. I discovered the metal plate that is used to bolt in the unit (the BCGH) alingnmnet holes are NOT what to use even though it states as much.