How to get an AC unit on top of the motorhome

[Hittntherooad]

I updated my Thor 30.1 with an AC in the bedroom. I picked up the unit and pondered how I was going to get it on top. Came up with this.
Pulled it up very easily by myself. Installed and ready to go.

[Beacher]

Nice!

I watched an owner, (who didn't want to pay for installation), take delivery of a new A/C unit at the dealer's parts department with his motorhome, (the old McMahon's in Westminster, CA).

They used a forklift to put the entire shipping box on the roof of the motorhome. The guy centered it on the roof and tied it down with rope through open windows for the ride home.

Your way looks much more sensible.

[Chance]

Care to elaborate? Could you tell us a few more details? I'm curious and I'm sure others are too since adding a second AC comes up often.

Which model, size, etc. did you go with? And how did you power it? Do you have 30-Amp or 50-Amp?

[West]

I'm curious how your running the 120v up to power the unit. I have an ace 30.2 and would like to do the same thing.

[Hittntherooad]

I bought a Coleman Mach 3 Plus 13.5 with the inside control cover plate from Camping World. $661 out the door with extra 2 year warranty.(total 4)
I snaked a number 10 wire down the same duct the Fantastic fan and light wire was in to the closet. Ran the wire down the back inside corner out the bottom in the compartment where my dump valves are. I have enough wire I can plug the AC unit in by itself at the campsite.
I have a 30 amp service now. I could upgrade to 50 I suppose but I only have a 4000 Onan so it will not run both anyway.
I mostly installed it as a backup.
The great thing is it pushes air straight down the center of the coach so I could just run the fan with the main AC to help circulate the air.

[West]

Nice work! Thanks for the info.

[Chance]

Agree .... great work on a nice project. Thanks for information.

By the way, your rigging to get AC on roof by yourself was very clever and resourceful. I'm often a do-it-yourselfer also and appreciate the lengths one has to go to when help or normal equipment (like a forklift or hoist) isn't available. I may have to borrow this idea some day -- particularly like the track you built into skid.

[Hittntherooad]

Originally Posted by Chance

Agree .... great work on a nice project. Thanks for information.

By the way, your rigging to get AC on roof by yourself was very clever and resourceful. I'm often a do-it-yourselfer also and appreciate the lengths one has to go to when help or normal equipment (like a forklift or hoist) isn't available. I may have to borrow this idea some day -- particularly like the track you built into skid.

The wooden skid was what the unit was shipped on. Just happened the 2 strips fit outside the ladder rails perfectly. I just strapped the unit to the wooden frame. Even 2 guys on step ladders would be hard to do.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Hittntherooad

The wooden skid was what the unit was shipped on. Just happened the 2 strips fit outside the ladder rails perfectly. I just strapped the unit to the wooden frame. Even 2 guys on step ladders would be hard to do.

That was lucky to have built-in guides.

Yeah, when lifting heavy stuff onto the roof of a motorhome 10+ feet in the air, step ladders concern me a little. I know an air conditioner isn't that heavy, but it would be easy to lose control of it. Your approach seems much better to me.