Forum Discussion

d3500ram's avatar
d3500ram
Explorer III
Sep 20, 2018

Roof Air Conditioner Seal maintenance.

Inquiring about proper procedure for the seal between the roof top AC and the roof… I have maintained and resealed all the vents and other roof items and do not want to neglect the AC seal.

On a previous camper I removed the AC and bought a new seal for it and IIRC, the sealing of this component is some type of “compression” gasket that makes the waterproof connection. I also recall that this must be maintained occasionally by tightening the AC from the inside… (is that correct?)

I have never tightened the AC fasteners and am assuming that previous owners never did. Should I now start to tighten them down to insure the seal? Should I remove the AC and install a new gasket? Where I live, there is a possibility of a gasket drying out/ deteriorating.

I would like to perform ant maintenance on this before winter sets in…. thoughts/ comments?
Truck Campers
  • Bubtoofat's avatar
    Bubtoofat
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2018
    I checked the AC bolts for the first time last year. They were quite loose. Best to check them. The seal still looked like new so I didn't touch that. No leaks.

    Mike
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Sep 20, 2018
    hmmm....I have never touched the ac bolts on my 21 year old trailer.
    Actually don't run them down tight. Just enough to compress the gasket according to instructions others have posted.
  • Big_Katuna's avatar
    Big_Katuna
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2018
    The last thing you want to do is to crank down on them.

    The seal is thick and meant to seal around the curve of the roof. Too tight and you squish it on the top.

    If it hasn’t been leaking tempting to leave it alone. If you tighten, go 1/4 turn, no more reqd.
  • trail-explorer's avatar
    trail-explorer
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2018
    Big Katuna wrote:
    If it hasn’t been leaking tempting to leave it alone. If you tighten, go 1/4 turn, no more reqd.


    Mine have loosened twice, so the last time I tightened them I put blue threadlock compound on em.
  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    Sep 21, 2018
    Depending on the brand, most have a torque spec for the mounting bolts,
    mine is 40 to 50 INCH pounds
  • gitpicker2009's avatar
    gitpicker2009
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2018
    I have an Arctic Fox 1150, are these bolts you access from within the camper or up on the roof?
    I never even thought about this before.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Sep 21, 2018
    These are the bolts from inside when the AC internal cover panel is removed. It is what holds the AC in place.

    I recall some where that when installing the AC that the tightening of the fasteners causes the AC housing to contact a compress able gasket and that over time the bolts should(?) be tightened to insure the integrity of the sealing.

    It is not leaking on mine, but I am tempted to remove and replace the gasket to insure it is in good condition.
  • Big_Katuna's avatar
    Big_Katuna
    Explorer II
    Sep 21, 2018
    trail-explorer wrote:
    Big Katuna wrote:
    If it hasn’t been leaking tempting to leave it alone. If you tighten, go 1/4 turn, no more reqd.


    Mine have loosened twice, so the last time I tightened them I put blue threadlock compound on em.


    My guess is they didn’t loosen, the gasket compressed.

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