How to Install a New Airstream Rooftop Air Conditioner AC Unit
Why Buy a New Airstream Rooftop AC?
Your Airstream rooftop AC has seen its best days, and you are ready to replace it with a new unit. The newer rooftop units are more efficient and do a better job of cooling your Airstream than the older models ever did. This article is intended to help you replace the old rooftop cooling unit yourself with very little effort on your part.
The Airstream travel trailer in this article is a 1986 Airstream Sovereign with an old Coleman Mach rooftop air conditioner. The air conditioner had given good service over the years, but the fan motor was giving problems. We decided replacing the fan motor would cost too much money when we could buy a new unit for a little over twice the price of that work.
Even if we replaced the fan motor, the AC compressor was old and could malfunction at any time, and if it did, we would have to spend more money on repairs than a new rooftop unit would cost. So the obvious solution was to install a new cooling unit on the Airstream Sovereign travel trailer.
Choosing and Buying a New Airstream AC
We chose to go back with a Coleman 13,500-BTU rooftop AC because it had the same overhead clearance as the previous Coleman unit. Also, it came complete with the ceiling assembly and didn't require any other parts, unlike some of the other units made by Carrier and Dometic. It was the best rooftop air conditioner for the money among those we researched, and since it was similar to the unit we already had, we figured replacement would be easier.
Other fine units are made by Carrier and Dometic, also well known for their efficiency and reliability. The choice of make and model is yours. As they are all installed similarly, this article will work just as well for all of them.
Removing the Old AC
Because of the shiny aluminum skin covering most Airstream travel trailers, it is very important to use proper support and padding while replacing the rooftop unit, to prevent damage to the roof covering. This includes removing the old unit carefully and cleaning the roof thoroughly before installing the new one in your Airstream.
Be sure to disconnect the electrical power from the trailer before removing the old unit. Remove the old ceiling assembly and disconnect the main electrical line from the AC unit. If you are hesitant about doing the electrical connections yourself, have someone experienced do this for you.
There are only three wires to disconnect and removing them should pose no problems for you at this time. Remove the four bolts used for attaching the old rooftop unit to the ceiling assembly. After you remove the AC shroud by loosening the four nuts holding it in place, the old rooftop unit can be carefully removed and lowered to the ground.
Rooftop Cleaning and Preparation
In some cases the Airstream AC gasket has been treated with a sealant, perhaps several times over the many camping seasons. These sealants usually cause the old rooftop AC units to be stuck in place which requires using a thin putty knife to separate the old gasket from the Airstream roof. Carefully slide the putty knife beneath the old gasket until the unit can be easily removed.
Remove any lingering roof coating adhesive with a strong solvent, being careful not to let it discolor the area outside of the new gasket contact area. Check for any jagged edges or rough spots which could cause the gasket to allow moisture to seep through. This is a very important step to prevent leaks around the new rooftop AC unit.
Installing the New Air Conditioner
You are now ready to transport the new unit to the rooftop of your Airstream travel trailer. Remove the new protective shroud first, to make the unit easier to handle.
Unless you are very strong, you will need some help getting the unit up to the roof. Be very careful if using ladders, as it is easy to lose your balance while lifting the new air conditioner.
Situating the new unit correctly requires some help so that you don't have to go up and down the ladder several times to check both the inside and the rooftop while you are aligning the new unit. If you loosely connect the four retaining bolts through the ceiling flange, you can move the new rooftop unit around until it is evenly spaced in the 14-inch-square duct hole in the Airstream roof.
Once you have the new unit in the right spot you can tighten the bolts, which compresses the new gasket and insures a watertight seal.
If you purchased the optional heating element for your rooftop AC, proceed to install it according to the enclosed directions. This is a simple plug-in assembly for electrical connections.
Connect the Airstream line electrical wires to the new AC unit by using wire nuts and replacing the cover of the junction box. The ceiling assembly is usually attached by four screws to the ceiling flange. Install the new rooftop AC shroud with the four retaining nuts. Reconnect the power supply to the Airstream, and the job is finished.
Using and Maintaining Your New Airstream AC
Test the new unit to ensure everything is working correctly with no circuit breakers kicking off. Now you are ready to stay cool for many seasons to come while enjoying your classic Airstream travel trailer. Good luck with the installation and congratulations on the money you will save by installing the rooftop unit on your Airstream yourself.
If you do annual maintenance, such as cleaning the coils and oiling the AC fan motor, your unit will efficiently cool your Airstream travel trailer for many years of camping enjoyment for you and your future grandchildren.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
© 2010 Randy Godwin
Comments
Awesome and much appreciated article. Thanks for the G2 on the Coleman having all the necessary components as I was considering going with a competing unit. It's over 100F here in AL so having a good AC is an absolute must! Happy Camping!
I need to replace the rooftop ac on my 1987 Ridden Allegro, can I use any unit, or do I have to be concerned about duckted Vs non-duckted? And what is a plenium, and is it a problem?
Also, I want to put solar on Thurs rv, is it possible to move the ac to the rear passenger window to give me more room?
hey you'll need to remove the trim from the vent in the skin that's riveted to the out skin then it would be better to make some ribs for the extra support of the inner roof skin easly done. recamending this part if you cant find some one who can its not that big of a deal but it will make all the differance in the finished product. take your time think in a mathadicle manor. common sense goes a long way because the bill you'll get from the basic rv guy will shock the hell out of you so give it a whirl your self it will be way worth it .just make sure you have someone to help lift less damage and clean the surface really well that will help with a great seal at that point of connection
I have a 1958 Airstream Flying Cloud. I want to install an A/C. Do I need a special mounting plate to compensate for the curve of the roof? I will be installing it in center vent.
Randy,
I have a 1971 23 land yacht. I have 12" vents in it. Do I have to cut a 14' hole, or is there a way to utilize the existing hole?
Thanks,
Gary
Thanks for helping keep $500 in my wallet!! Really appreciated. :-)
Randy. I have a 1969 Sovereign. The ceiling assembly unfortunately is riveted into the ceiling (looks like you had 4 screws to remove for the removal shown in this article). There is also a circulation fan at the bottom of the ceiling assembly. Do I need to drill out all these rivets and pull this out. Or do I just leave this in place and work from the top of the trailer to pull out the existing AC. When I pull this all out will I have a standard 14 inch hole (seems bigger based on what the existing ceiling assembly looks like). And will I also have to replace the existing (original I assume) ceiling assembly or can I leave it there and just purchase and install the upper unit? I just have AC now. If I was to get heat with the new AC would I need to install a new thermostadt and would I need to run new wiring for this or could use the original thermostadt wiring. Thank you. Jim (holway.jim@gmail.com)
Randy, thnx and your advice was right on target. Will get new Ac ASAP. This was original ac. A dinosaur at that.
My ac unit not removed so easily, suggestions? I own a 1975 Land yacht. Is it the seal, more effort needed to remove this unit? Mucho Thnx, I love working on the restoration tasks.
Randy, I have been told that the Airstream trailers must have a battery installed in order for the air conditioner to work properly. Isa this true. Mine blows just fine but the compressor does not kick in. The lights and such go from bright to diminished also like it is not getting enough power. I use a 10 ga. cord.
Well, it's a 1965 Airstream TradeWind, so I'm guessing it's not likely that the wiring is there.....
That's disappointing.
Say you've never had an AC unit in the camper. Is there wiring in place in the ceiling just in case you might want to install a unit, or do you have to get the wiring up there somehow?
How does the gray duct that is hanging down in your last picture fit in. Does it lay towards the front or the back, do you cut it to fit? I just let it go towards the front of the unit and most of the air is blocked coming out the back. I assume this is the intake.
:-D I still can't install the ceiling fan that's been sitting in my garage since last summer............... I CAN"T DO THIS!!!!!!!!!
I could make sure it needs a few extra repairs though........... that, I am good at.
Thank you for trying to make it clear; I'll think of this like I think of my kids at school.............. if you can reach just one, it's all worthwhile........ so for you, if you can teach just one......... you've done a great thing here!
Kaie
An eleborately explained hub from all aspects. Well done. Enjoy.
You make it sound so easy!
Mmmm interesting and thank you for sharing. It is amazing how easy and simple it is.
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