Instead of adding a second roof mounted AC to our fifth wheel, I'm investigating a mini split unit instead. Weight, but most importantly, power considerations are my motivations.Most of the information that I've found deals with folks either mounting the condenser unit to the tongue or creating a shelf and mounting to the rear of the camper.What I have not yet found is anyone mounting the condenser inside of the front basement.I suspect that clearance might be an issue.My front basement runs the entire width and has a front facing access panel. Based on the dimensions that I'm seeing, I think there is space. I would need to leave that access panel when the unit is operating.The fan unit would be above in the bedroom. There's already a wall dividing the bedroom and bathroom that has a hard mounting point for a TV. I could route the refrigerant lines along the wall from below. Any condensate drain would go through the wall and connect to the sink drain on the other side.Anyone seen something like this? Thanks.

I would be concerned about the added heat load to the camper. Along with leaving the access door open, you may need a fan to force some air movement. I would also caution you on draining the condensate to the sink drain. That is going to add quite a bit of water to your grey water tank. If you camp in a hot humid place without full hookups, that could be a problem.You may be onto something, keep us updated as to what you find.

You need airflow around the unit, a quick google search and the on I saw wanted 20” above it, 12” in the intake side, and 79” on the exhaust side. I think it will have to be outside.

LanceRKeys wrote:I would be concerned about the added heat load to the camper. Along with leaving the access door open, you may need a fan to force some air movement. I would also caution you on draining the condensate to the sink drain. That is going to add quite a bit of water to your grey water tank. If you camp in a hot humid place without full hookups, that could be a problem.You may be onto something, keep us updated as to what you find.It's amazing how much condensate an air/con unit can create.We had a 12k btu unit on our boat and the drain plug got blocked so it went into the bilge. I noticed it about a day after last checking the bilge (which is normally dry). Used the shop vac to get around 25gal of water out of the bilge.Adding a support on the rear is likely a much better option (don't bolt it to the paper thin bumper). I've seen a few of those done. It doesn't look bad. It's easy to access for cleaning and doesn't eat up storage space. Plus your gear can remain locked in the storage compartment.

What appealed to me about front mounting the condenser was the convenience. My batteries, inverter and bedroom are in very close proximity so very little routing would be required.There is no wall space at the rear of the camper to mount the air handler. If I rear mount the condenser then I would have to remove the underpan and route 30' or so plumbing and wiring to reach the bedroom. After previously running wires and outlets for my inverter, I'm not keen on repeating that process.The front compartment idea was worth investigating. But, as pointed out above, there are clearance issues that make this type of installation not feasible. Sure... I *could* do it. But I could also be replacing condenser units every season because they fail from lack of ventilation.Time to try something else.Thanks for the input.

Every thought about having a shelf built and welded to the 5th wheel mount hitch to mount it on. That it would outside with plenty of air flow around it. Just an idea.

Mini Split AC - Condenser unit in fifth wheel basement??

Captain_Happy
Explorer
Jul 22, 2020
Every thought about having a shelf built and welded to the 5th wheel mount hitch to mount it on. That it would outside with plenty of air flow around it. Just an idea.
longbedbob
Explorer
Jul 22, 2020
What appealed to me about front mounting the condenser was the convenience. My batteries, inverter and bedroom are in very close proximity so very little routing would be required.

There is no wall space at the rear of the camper to mount the air handler. If I rear mount the condenser then I would have to remove the underpan and route 30' or so plumbing and wiring to reach the bedroom. After previously running wires and outlets for my inverter, I'm not keen on repeating that process.

The front compartment idea was worth investigating. But, as pointed out above, there are clearance issues that make this type of installation not feasible. Sure... I *could* do it. But I could also be replacing condenser units every season because they fail from lack of ventilation.

Time to try something else.

Thanks for the input.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 22, 2020
LanceRKeys wrote:
I would be concerned about the added heat load to the camper. Along with leaving the access door open, you may need a fan to force some air movement. I would also caution you on draining the condensate to the sink drain. That is going to add quite a bit of water to your grey water tank. If you camp in a hot humid place without full hookups, that could be a problem.

You may be onto something, keep us updated as to what you find.

It's amazing how much condensate an air/con unit can create.

We had a 12k btu unit on our boat and the drain plug got blocked so it went into the bilge. I noticed it about a day after last checking the bilge (which is normally dry). Used the shop vac to get around 25gal of water out of the bilge.

Adding a support on the rear is likely a much better option (don't bolt it to the paper thin bumper). I've seen a few of those done. It doesn't look bad. It's easy to access for cleaning and doesn't eat up storage space. Plus your gear can remain locked in the storage compartment.
wowens79
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2020
You need airflow around the unit, a quick google search and the on I saw wanted 20” above it, 12” in the intake side, and 79” on the exhaust side. I think it will have to be outside.
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Jul 22, 2020
I would be concerned about the added heat load to the camper. Along with leaving the access door open, you may need a fan to force some air movement. I would also caution you on draining the condensate to the sink drain. That is going to add quite a bit of water to your grey water tank. If you camp in a hot humid place without full hookups, that could be a problem.

You may be onto something, keep us updated as to what you find.

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Mini Split AC - Condenser unit in fifth wheel basement??

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