Cutting the fiberglass for an AC

[Kevin A]

We would like to install a small AC in our 13' Burro and are concerned about cutting the fiberglass if it will weaken the trailer. Our closet is too small for an install, so we're thinking of either mounting temporarily in a window or putting it through a wall. The window looks very hard because of the number of screws to take out each time. If we cut through the walls, does this weaken the hull? How would we strengthen it to carry the AC as a permanent install? Also, is it bad for the trailer to cut the hole across the central seam in the back or front? Any help with cutting holes in the trailer hull would be appreciated.

Kevin

[Frederick L. Simson]

1. If we cut through the walls, does this weaken the hull?
2. How would we strengthen it to carry the AC as a permanent install?
3. Also, is it bad for the trailer to cut the hole across the central seam in the back or front?

1. Yes, I believe it would.
2. If I were going to do it, I'd install an actual window frame to strengthen the hole in the hull, then I'd install the air conditioner in that frame. I would also add bracing to the floor or the frame of the trailer, somehow; especially if you choose to install an air conditioner that significantly hung [b]outside the body of the trailer.
3. To see the answer to that question, look where Burro installed the roof vent. All of the ones I have seen are to one side of the seam, not straddling it. However, the front and back WINDOWS do straddle the seam... But a window alone may not exert as much leveraged force upon the hole as an Air Conditioner would.

I have just today completed my installation of a 5000 btu window air conditioner in the front window of my Fiber Stream trailer. I custom crafted a framing scheme to install it without HAVING TO remove or install any screws except for removing 2 frame members to get it to fit back into it's original box for storage. If I didn't care to make it fit in the box, I could leave it assembled. [b]Key to my design is the use of the GoldStar 5000 BTU air conditioner, presently on sale at Home Depot, because it is equally balanced on the window frame between inside and outside.

I will tow my trailer with the air conditioner stowed in it's box on the floor. It takes 10 minutes to pop it into the open window, and 15 minutes to disassemble it and return it to it's box for storage.

I need to go take some pictures...

[Frederick L. Simson]

I have just today completed my installation of a 5000 btu window air conditioner in the front window of my Fiber Stream trailer. I custom crafted a framing scheme to install it without HAVING TO remove or install any screws except for removing 2 frame members to get it to fit back into it's original box for storage. If I didn't care to make it fit in the box, I could leave it assembled. [b]Key to my design is the use of the GoldStar 5000 BTU air conditioner, presently on sale at Home Depot, because it is equally balanced on the window frame between inside and outside.

I will tow my trailer with the air conditioner stowed in it's box on the floor. It takes 10 minutes to pop it into the open window, and 15 minutes to disassemble it and return it to it's box for storage.

[b]I need to go take some pictures...

Window A/C Pictures Here

[Donna D.]

Member Lance MacArthur made one of the slickest mods I've seen for an air conditioner. And yes, he did cut a hole in the fiberglass (why not? Casita does). At any rate, he used the portion cut out to make a door. So the A/C slides in and out as needed. Not having the A/C (which is ugly IMO) permanently sticking out and ruining the looks of the trailer is a real plus.

Here's the link, I believe you need to have Flash installed too, lots and lots of picture
Lance MacArthur's Blue Boler

[Victor Benz]

I've done a little work like this, and have the following thoughts on hanging a cantilevered weight on the wall of a fiberglass trailer.

Simply cutting a hole will not support something like an air conditioner. I would:

1. Cut the hole
2. Frame the opening with 1" x 2" fir (no fingerjoint pieces!)
3. Epoxy the frame to the fiberglass outer shell
4. Design a weight transfer system using either 2" x 2" or 2" x 3" lumber to support the frame from the trailer's floor.
5. Fiberglass the frame to the trailer wall.
6. Cantilevered support if needed.

This is essentially the system I have designed to install a folding table in my Fiber Stream rather than the pedestal type it came with.

Victor

[Barbe]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Member Lance MacArthur made one of the slickest mods I've seen for an air conditioner. And yes, he did cut a hole in the fiberglass (why not? Casita does). At any rate, he used the portion cut out to make a door. So the A/C slides in and out as needed. Not having the A/C (which is ugly IMO) permanently sticking out and ruining the looks of the trailer is a real plus.

Here's the link, I believe you need to have Flash installed too, lots and lots of picture
Lance MacArthur's Blue Boler

Donna, I tried the link and Lance MacArthur's Blue Boler AC Install cannot be found. Do you have any other way to access it? Thanks

[CindyL]

Hubby cut through the back wall of our PO Burro for our AC, built a support attached to the bumper to hold the window AC, and then (my suggestion), cut up a cooler to cover it while driving, so it looked like a cooler held on by bungie cord, instead of the window AC. Fooled another camper who asked for a cool one from the cooler. When we camped, we simply removed the cooler.

Of course, your Boler has a belly band, so I don't know how something like we did works in that situation.

CindyL

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Barbe

Donna, I tried the link and Lance MacArthur's Blue Boler AC Install cannot be found. Do you have any other way to access it? Thanks

You do realize this thread is 8 years old and some links may no longer be available.

[Barbe]

Yes, I knew it was an old posting but thought it might have been archived somewhere

[raquela]

I found some photos from his flickr account, Barbe.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/857297...57631229407148
https://www.flickr.com/photos/857297...7631229407148/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/857297...7631229407148/

[Lfoxmont]

Here are some pics of my 13' Burro's AC unit. It's in the side window, same side as the sink, etc. There are no supports........but the PO installed it using a piece of plywood. Hopefully, the pix explain it.


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[Lfoxmont]

CindyL,

I would love to see that mod. Can you post pictures?


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