New A/C is here. Now, how to get it on the roof?

Got it wired. It fired right up. Is there anything better, after having your arms up for an hour straight, twisting wires, than that first blast of cold air straight down on your face? Ahhhh....so happy. Thanks for the input, Folks!

ronfisherman wrote:

BuckBarker wrote:
Before pulling and pushing the new unit up the ladder, remove the shroud from the AC. It has to be removed anywho for installation and you don't want the rope or the person pushing from the bottom exerting any force upon the shroud, which is not very strong and could easily crack.

Very good point.

Neither Coleman or Dometic/Duo Therm units have to have the shroud removed for installation. All connections for wiring as well as the four mounting bolts are installed inside the coach.

Guy next-door came over and said, "OK let's do this." (Get the air conditioner on the roof.). He's about 6'4" and slim, but built like a lumberjack. Tied a rope around it, realized The wooden support had broken off, He was going to pull, I was going to push. We had a ladder in the back of the truck leaning on the nose of the rig. He was going to tie it up a new way, We decided we would remove the shroud. I went inside to get the power driver, came out, and he was halfway up the nose of my rig --one-arming it! All I did was scamper up and help him get the back end on the top. He laid it down on its side, then flat. Done!

Turns out I will need to bring wire from the junction box to the unit. There is an 18" long path/tunnel cut through the styrofoam leading to the 14" vent hole.

westend wrote:
What happens when the weight of the AC unit is greater than the holding force of the luggage rack screws? If you and a friend are incapable of lifting the unit onto the roof using a rope, get someone else to get it up there.

Back in the day, I used to hump two bundles of shingles at a time up the ladder and up to the ridge of the roof. The architectural shingles are now heavier and I'm older so it is one 80 lb. bundle at a time.

The ladder holds at least a 250 lb person and the luggage rack is connected to the ladder. The A/C weighs 85 lbs. I weigh 120.

Use a good extension ladder and stay away from anything roof mounted,I can't imagine how sturdy they are.

What happens when the weight of the AC unit is greater than the holding force of the luggage rack screws? If you and a friend are incapable of lifting the unit onto the roof using a rope, get someone else to get it up there.

Back in the day, I used to hump two bundles of shingles at a time up the ladder and up to the ridge of the roof. The architectural shingles are now heavier and I'm older so it is one 80 lb. bundle at a time.

jolooote wrote:
When major stuff start to break down we always trade in the whole RV on a new one. On our 5th motorhome now. I fought with my 1st Class'A' for 14 years always thinking I could 'FIX STUFF'. :S Stuff always broke faster than I could get to it. It was always a nightmare that almost turned us off to RV'ing. We still drive with tight fists listening...worrying...whats that smell...whats that noise...whats that squeek...? :E

My A/C is working fine. I'm just adding a 2nd one up front as I'm always battling the heat. And I love my rig.

I like the idea of the push/pull. I have a strong neighbor I could pay to help. He said we should remove the plywood. Can't we do that, then just tie it up well in a blanket?

Had another idea today. Tie it up well then use ratchet straps attached to the A/C over the luggage rack and have people cinching those down with every bit of progress. Then you could pause to rest. Get positioned on the ladder for the next push. The wood just adds more weight.

Just haven't decided whether to go up the back ladder or up the side with the ladder in the truck.
Thanks for all the input.

And yeah, installing it after it's in position looks pretty easy.

When major stuff start to break down we always trade in the whole RV on a new one. On our 5th motorhome now. I fought with my 1st Class'A' for 14 years always thinking I could 'FIX STUFF'. :S Stuff always broke faster than I could get to it. It was always a nightmare that almost turned us off to RV'ing. We still drive with tight fists listening...worrying...whats that smell...whats that noise...whats that squeek...? :E

That's basically what I did (and posted). But you really don't need a winch.
It's under a 100 pounds. I person pulling and one person guiding/pushing is easy.

Try this : build a cradle out of plywood with three sides , put the AC on it with the no side facing up on a ladder laid at an angle from ground to top of camper.The ladder need to be long enough give a not too steep angle, the top rung of the ladder has to be higher than the roof top at least the lenght of the cradder. Hook a 12 volts winch to the top rung of the ladder , hook the wire to the top of cradder and winch it up. if you can find a remote control winch (real cheap at Hardboard Freight ) you can do it alone. Good winching.
Joe