Forum Discussion

mkirsch's avatar
mkirsch
Nomad II
Jul 21, 2015

TC roof won't support AC unit. Now what?

I bought a Coleman Mach AC unit for the roof of my Palomino. Rooftop AC is listed as an option in the owner's manual so it should be a straightforward install, right?

When I went to install it tonight, I can tell it's going to be a bad idea. There's too much flex and "bounce" in the roof with the weight of the AC unit on it. It will never hold up on the road.

Does anybody have any ideas for reinforcing the roof?
Truck Campers
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jul 21, 2015
    It definitely is NOT strong enough unless you go out to the sides with some sort of cross beams for support. Just a piece of plywood under the AC unit isn't enough, that's for sure.
  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2015
    I like spreading the load with the piece of plywood under the AC. But is the roof strong enough even with spreading the load?
  • Driftwood132's avatar
    Driftwood132
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2015
    I bought a Palomino pop up ,was my first tc. Was older but a nice camper. Then I bought a AC unit for the roof . I did call the company ,they told me not to put the AC on the roof unless supported. They suggested a window unit in a cut out hole in the back.
  • trailgranny50's avatar
    trailgranny50
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2015
    New roof? Sorry, couldn't resist. Good luck as summer anywhere its hot, basically wherever the sun is out, is NOT the time to be without AC no matter what you have to do.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jul 21, 2015
    I think what I'm going to do is get some 1x2 oak and make two 2x2 oak "beams" to install across the roof ahead and behind the roof mounted cabinet. Similar to what's pictured above.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2015
    If you're primarily concerned with bounce while travelling down the road and want a cheap fix, maybe find/make something you can put under it when the top is down?
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Jul 21, 2015
    I'd check with Palomino in case they have plans. I don't know if you have an existing hole or not. If so, that answers where it goes part. Otherwise, I'd offset to the strongest part of the roof. I'd look around the roof to see how they reinforced the roof. Perhaps, you can follow their example. I'd add support on the outside and side and sandwich the supports. As far as material goes, I'd use aluminum sheeting and Eternabond the outside.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jul 21, 2015
    Ah, a picture is worth 1000 words. Now the ideas are flowing.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2015
    Maybe all you have to do is install some metal supports under the ceiling side like we POPUP guys have to do to support the heavy air conditioners on the roof.

    My POPUP has two cross supports mounted to the ceiling on both sides of my roof Air Conditioner. The dealer installed mine when I added the roof air conditioner option on my OFF-ROAD POPUP.

    Here is a couple of GOOGLE SEARCH support ceiling beams installs..




    Roy Ken

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