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03-17-2008, 06:45 PM
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#1
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Member
Trailer: 1980 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 39
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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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03-17-2008, 06:58 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 75 Boler
Posts: 105
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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.
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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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03-17-2008, 07:09 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2000 19 ft (formerly 17 ft) Casita Freedom Deluxe ('Nuestra Casita') / 2000 4WD V8 Tundra
Posts: 760
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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...!
Kurt & Ann K.
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03-17-2008, 07:27 PM
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#4
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Member
Trailer: 1980 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 39
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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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03-17-2008, 07:49 PM
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#5
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Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
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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..
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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.
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
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03-17-2008, 08:11 PM
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#6
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Member
Trailer: 1980 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 39
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Quote:
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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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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03-18-2008, 11:13 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 21ft (25B21RB)
Posts: 752
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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
__________________
Phil & Denise Underwood
1973 13ft Lovebug
1998 17ftCasita FD
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03-18-2008, 11:33 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1981 13 ft Scamp / Nissan Titan
Posts: 1,852
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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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03-18-2008, 09:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2000 19 ft (formerly 17 ft) Casita Freedom Deluxe ('Nuestra Casita') / 2000 4WD V8 Tundra
Posts: 760
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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?
Kurt & Ann K.
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03-18-2008, 10:11 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 21ft (25B21RB)
Posts: 752
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they are tinted lexan.. super dark
__________________
Phil & Denise Underwood
1973 13ft Lovebug
1998 17ftCasita FD
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03-19-2008, 07:30 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 16 ft Casita Spirit Deluxe
Posts: 1,043
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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
Joe
__________________
Joe and Linda
2013 Casita SD
Dodge Ram 4x4
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03-19-2008, 07:38 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 21ft (25B21RB)
Posts: 752
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__________________
Phil & Denise Underwood
1973 13ft Lovebug
1998 17ftCasita FD
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03-24-2008, 05:15 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1981 13 ft Scamp / Nissan Titan
Posts: 1,852
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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.
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Here are some pics of the redo. Similar to Phil's but in the old side window.
Still a bit of trim to complete, but working great on the Spring Break trip.
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03-24-2008, 05:24 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 21ft (25B21RB)
Posts: 752
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check out the A/C mod on this Scamp..
PS.. nice install Greg
__________________
Phil & Denise Underwood
1973 13ft Lovebug
1998 17ftCasita FD
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