7'x16'x7'H Bedlam Squad

[featherliteCT1]

If you do not mind, please take some photos to document your AC install and, when time permits, post them so we can see how you do it.
Thank you!

[Margali]

Will do! I'm mostly coping DomoArigato's install. Main difference is his AC extended outside a bit with a flashing ring he welded.

[Iconfabul8]

The thing people might need to be reminded of, is the difference between a window unit and a thu-the-wall Ac unit. Thru the wall units are nice because the intake and the exhaust are both in the rear, no side vents. You can be very stealthy!

[Margali]

So we got a used camper shell for $500 that fits. We need to replace the bottom gasket trims so figure ~$150 for those. Not too bad considering new is ~$2800. It did not reduce our non-towing mileage. It did increase the mpg from 10.5 to 12 on the same trip to and from the farm. That is respectable.

Straight ROI would be 18,200 miles or ~1.5yrs at 0.357 $/mile savings ($3 premium gas). We visit family A LOT and the closest is 530 mile round trip. Our 2017 Ram is about to hit 80,000 miles. The ROI doesn't count the day to day value of having strollers, camping chairs, etc that aren't soaking wet or sun bleached from living in the truck bed. Hubby wants to paint it blue. I am thinking of blue vinyl decor pattern that can be copied onto trailer as well.

[Margali]

The stud is cut and headers in finally! Tomorrow if it stays dry we will finish the cabinet, cut the skin and install.

I found an oscillating saw and dremel worked great. Lots of control and light weight tools. The Dremel brand bi-metallic blades for hardened ferrous metal cut the stud like butter. The Dremel let me make needed cut inside the web where the oscillating blade was too wide. Used the basic round cutt off disks.

[Margali]

All the install pictures
AC unit

AC unit.jpg (44.43 KiB) Viewed 4507 times

Cut stud

Cut stud.jpg (33.75 KiB) Viewed 4509 times

Installed footer

installed footer.jpg (34.34 KiB) Viewed 4507 times

At this point the rain started coming down heavy and I had to stop for the weekend. My oscillating tool with the Dremel brand bi-metallic hardened cutting blades went thru the stud super easy. I had a scrap piece of 1/8" ply behind the stud to protect the skin.

[Margali]

Final picture showing AC sleeve test fitted.

AC sleeve press fit.jpg (47.36 KiB) Viewed 4507 times

Next weekend will install the cabinet and maybe the AC unit will be finished. Not pictured but I put in the 1" ply blocking for the electrical plug.

[featherliteCT1]

Thanks for posting the informative pictures
...

[Margali]

The Thru-Wall AC sleeve and the power tower is installed. The 30A shore power outlet is installed but not wired up. Ran out of time to lift the AC unit in and secure it. I also left the drain fitting at our house. Working at Grandma's house is awesome for the kids but takes extra planning since they are 4hrs away...

AC Grate Installed.jpg (25.32 KiB) Viewed 4674 times

AC Grate Close Up.jpg (25.22 KiB) Viewed 4674 times

Lots of screws and butyl tape. I spray painted grate and screws with Rustoleum Bright White Enamel. The aluminum color was blah.

Power Tower Rough In.jpg (12.06 KiB) Viewed 4674 times

The space to the left of the deep freeze will have the P4045 and batteries. The P4045 will face the back of the trailer. The notch in the shelf sides is set so the deep freeze can open up fully under the fixed shelf. Plan is to use run deep freeze as fridge and mount on slide out shelf eventually. The space to the left of the AC sleeve will have HD radio tuner and phone charging station.

[Margali]

The AC install is mostly done. Fiddly bits, bleh. The AC pan drain is made from 1/2" CPVC pipe with a female slip x male threaded fitting going thru the pan. The topside is locked in place by a 1/2" EMT conduit nut with excess threads cut off after nut locked down. Everything sealed with caulked. The bottom side has another fitting that I can attach a screen too.

[Margali]

Pictures of the drain line installation. I believe it was 1.25" bit for wood and 5/8" for pan but DOUBLE CHECK.

AC Pan Drain Top1.jpg (58.32 KiB) Viewed 4517 times

AC Pan Drain Bottom.jpg (47.17 KiB) Viewed 4517 times

Finally getting the insulation in on the passenger side. Having the AC unit running made this so much more pleasant. AC unit kept trailer nice 70 degrees even with ramp door cracked open to allow extension cord thru. My assistant fell asleep on the job.

QA -QC Asleep on the job.jpg (54.08 KiB) Viewed 4517 times

[Margali]

Have first mattress cut for the kids. Finally hitting the bottom of my stash of foam from my defunct sleep number. Its 1/2" high density foam and 2" of waffly foam.

Floor is lava.jpg (52.87 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

Bed is 24" at head widening to 34" by 64" (5'4") long. I fit semi-comfortably even when bottom of the pile. Next step will be a waterproof fabric bag.

Test Pile.jpg (70.55 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

[flboy]

Looks like a sweet family. You are blessed! Make some memories in your CTC!

[Margali]

Thanks Flboy!

I'm still debating the triple bunk or a double bunk. Right now they are 7, 3, and 1.5yrs old. If I make triples they will each have their own space through bunk will only be ~25" tall (mattress to next). If I go with double bunk the two youngest that are currently fighting tooth and nail have to share...

[beachguy005]

Just curious about your AC grate. Are you going to have a cover over that? My concern would be wind driven rain and insects. Also cold air coming in when it's colder outside.