what to do with my A/C - Fiberglass RV
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Old 03-17-2008, 06:45 PM   #1
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Trailer: 1980 Scamp 13 ft
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Hello all,
I am slowly making progress on my trailer and I ran into another stumbling block!
As you can see, the A/C wasn't really installed with looks in mind. Now I have to fix this!
As in previous posts, I mentioned that the owner used some kind of undercoating material to seal out water and he used it here too!
Does anyone have any ideas as to how to make this look any better?
The previous owner framed around the A/C with wood and then applied the black undercoating you see in the photos.
It would be nice to be able to make this look better but I am fresh out of ideas.
I'm not against leaving it in that position but I sure wish it looked nicer.
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Old 03-17-2008, 06:58 PM   #2
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Quote:
Hello all,
I am slowly making progress on my trailer and I ran into another stumbling block!
As you can see, the A/C wasn't really installed with looks in mind. Now I have to fix this!
As in previous posts, I mentioned that the owner used some kind of undercoating material to seal out water and he used it here too!
Does anyone have any ideas as to how to make this look any better?
The previous owner framed around the A/C with wood and then applied the black undercoating you see in the photos.
It would be nice to be able to make this look better but I am fresh out of ideas.
I'm not against leaving it in that position but I sure wish it looked nicer.
Personally, I would loose the AC and install a new window.

I think that's the only way too make it look right.
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Old 03-17-2008, 07:09 PM   #3
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Isaac,
How sturdy is the A/C? Will it withstand the rigors of the road? Making it really solid would be my first concern. Maybe additional bracing top and bottom?
As for actual appearances, would it be possible to paint the exterior with white to cover the black? Inside, some panels to cover the sides and top might work. In fact, a piece of paneling to match any existing wood in the trailer would look nice. Actually, a single u-shaped piece cut-to-fit, using a cardboard pattern, is what I would try.
Have fun...!
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Old 03-17-2008, 07:27 PM   #4
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Yeah, I may just have to just dress it up a bit.
We really can't go without the A/C since we live in Texas.
I was kind of hoping I could possibly remove the whole thing and maybe mount the unit to a cut out sheet of 3/16"-1/4" aluminum plate "painted of course" that is riveted directly to the shell instead of the window frame.
I'm not sure how long the previous owner had it like that but I haven't noticed any cracks or flexing of the side wall.
I'm still stumped as to which is better..
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Old 03-17-2008, 07:49 PM   #5
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Quote:
I was kind of hoping I could possibly remove the whole thing and maybe mount the unit to a cut out sheet of 3/16"-1/4" aluminum plate "painted of course" [b]that is riveted directly to the shell instead of the window frame.
I'm not sure how long the previous owner had it like that but I haven't noticed any cracks or flexing of the side wall.
I'm still stumped as to which is better..
I think the reason you haven't noticed any cracks is the window frame. It strengthens the hole and transfers the weight and stress around the hole. The sheet you are considering wouldn't be able to do it as well as the channel material the window frame is made of.
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Old 03-17-2008, 08:11 PM   #6
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I think the reason you haven't noticed any cracks is the window frame. It strengthens the hole and transfers the weight and stress around the hole. The sheet you are considering wouldn't be able to do it as well as the channel material the window frame is made of.

That's true..Maybe as I start to disassemble the A/C I could get a better look at how the wood was installed. Maybe then I could leave the channel in place as a support and rivet or bolt the alminum plate as I mentioned earlier.
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Old 03-18-2008, 11:13 AM   #7
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Trailer: 17ft 98 Casita FD
Texas
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Here is how i installed the a/c on our 83 model

ok here is what i have done for just inder $200.00 bucks

a 5000 BTU gibson ac unit from Sutherlands
2 tubes of silicone calk
4ft length of angled aluminum
some phillips head self tapping stainless screws
and some sort of gel coated white wood i found in the book shelf section..
anyhow.. the Casita now has A/C and we are taking it out this weekend..

PS i used the aluminum not only to support the unit, but it also help me achive the angle i needed for proper a/c drain
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Old 03-18-2008, 11:33 AM   #8
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Isaac,

I inherited the exact same thing on my 13 Scamp and just finished replacing it.
The PO had basically removed the window and glued the old AC in.
I used the same wood as my cabinet doors on the inside to trim the new AC out and on the outside used 1 inch wide aluminum strips screwed into the wood on the inside to frame the fiberglass opening and strengthen the shell. I used PolyButyl tape under the aluminum strips. I also sandwiched aluminum roof flashing which comes in a roll, under the 1 inch and fills the gap to the new Samsung AC unit. The outside is now totally an aluminum appearance and the interior is cherry stained maple ply. I'll try and get some pictures up, but I'm out of town at the moment.
I don't think a window AC will ever be a work of art, but this installation now looks OK compared to the mess that was there.
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Old 03-18-2008, 09:41 PM   #9
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Phil,
Very clean looking. I sure can't see room for improvement on your installation. Are the dark "windows" tinted Lexan or Plexiglas?

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Old 03-18-2008, 10:11 PM   #10
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they are tinted lexan.. super dark
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Old 03-19-2008, 07:30 AM   #11
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Phil....
That's a really nice job and i like the way you fitted the aluminum angle iron for support. I studied your pictures in case i ever have to do that
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Old 03-19-2008, 07:38 AM   #12
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Old 03-24-2008, 05:15 PM   #13
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Quote:
Isaac,

I inherited the exact same thing on my 13 Scamp and just finished replacing it.
The PO had basically removed the window and glued the old AC in.
I used the same wood as my cabinet doors on the inside to trim the new AC out and on the outside used 1 inch wide aluminum strips screwed into the wood on the inside to frame the fiberglass opening and strengthen the shell. I used PolyButyl tape under the aluminum strips. I also sandwiched aluminum roof flashing which comes in a roll, under the 1 inch and fills the gap to the new Samsung AC unit. The outside is now totally an aluminum appearance and the interior is cherry stained maple ply. I'll try and get some pictures up, but I'm out of town at the moment.
I don't think a window AC will ever be a work of art, but this installation now looks OK compared to the mess that was there.
Here are some pics of the redo. Similar to Phil's but in the old side window.

Click image for larger version

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Still a bit of trim to complete, but working great on the Spring Break trip.
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Old 03-24-2008, 05:24 PM   #14
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check out the A/C mod on this Scamp..

PS.. nice install Greg
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