Rooftop AC

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by SHC, Mar 29, 2012.

  1. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

    3,607
    3,158
    Mar 12, 2009
    Mo Via Blackpool,Lancs.
    0
    Cheers!
    I love the enclosed rack, which I had to get for more storage after dropping the blade trailer and finding out the company had sold my old RGN, which had storage in it.
    I had to remove the muffler and put a straight pipe on, with a muffler insert. Little deeper but not obnoxious IMHO.
    If you need any tips etc on the generator, feel free to PM etc.

    Martin
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. rick3305rick

    rick3305rick Light Load Member

    50
    21
    Sep 18, 2013
    0
    As usual Im starting up an old thread,lol... I had a window a/c In a 02 FLD a few years ago, I used a 279$ Champion 35500/4000 watt gas generator. It sat on the catwalk for 2 1/2 years with a cover on when I wasn't using it. I never had any problems with it, changed the oil a lot, it took 5 minutes. It would run my space heater all winter and my a/c all summer. I got between 12 and 14 hours on a tank of gas, kept a 3 or 4 gallon can full. Id fill it at places that I could pull right up and top it off and the gas can. Flying Js have the RV islands Id use a lot. The Champion I bought at tractor supply for 279$, I bought one on Ebay new with remote start a couple weeks for 300$, same Gen but up graded. You cant beat the Champion generator for that money. There is a very thin spring that goes over the throttle rod that I got a couple extras so if it would break which it did I could replace it. I think it happened twice. I live in The Pittsburgh, Pa area and salt is hard on that thin metal. I have a 06 International 9900I now with a mid roof and the High rise fairing, just took a Black Rock Apu off, I just think the expense of fixing them and maintenance constantly isn't worth it. Im putting a Coleman Roughneck 13,500 BTU for 800$ with a 2 year warranty. This was one of 2 I found that anyone would warranty, this will fit between my Fairing and roof, wont even see it. It came with all of the parts including inside panel and controls. I can put the heat strip in for 45$ but I have a webasto heater which I think every truck should have, that's a no brainer. The Generator will go the side if the frame with a temporary cover for now. Im gonna eventually get a diesel Geneerator just so I can run off my tanks. I checked the inside of the roof for braces and its perfect for the RV ac, its got 19 inches between the supports and I only need 16Inches with the frame made from a 2x4, the actual hole will be 14" by 14". This should be a simple install, well with help from my buddy. I cant cut anything straight over 12 inches, lol... These new Coleman Roughnecks seem to really be built strong, they say you can put them on anything even for off roading and oil field trucks. Well, with this and the Webasto I should be set for awhile. Don't waste your time trying one of those portable floor models that you set in the corner, the vent hose gets way to hot, it cant overcome the heat from the hose or the unit. The Blackrock was ok but seemed like everytime something happened it was 400 to 1000 bucks. To much involved not to mention all the BS involved on installing or removing one. I seen a unit online called under camper A/C, it was neat, mounted underneath and a 6 0r 8 inch round vent tube was ran into a hole in the floor. That seemed like a heck of and Idea but it would have to be built stronger for a semi truck application. Oh well, Ill post pics after I get it installed this weekend I hope. One last thing, these Champions aren't overly loud, I hear a lot of these raggedy APUs that are louder, especially every time the ac compressor kicks on, lol..... Ill put a little extension on the end of the muffler and point it to the back center of the truck so Its not aiming under any ones cab. I see a lot of these yoyos aiming their exhaust straight out the side and park next to ya and its blowing that ##### right under your cab, give me a break and use your head. If anyone else has any decent set ups can you post a pic? Thanks
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2014
    HopeOverMope and nonsense007 Thank this.
  4. Stacie

    Stacie Bobtail Member

    30
    4
    Mar 10, 2014
    Md
    0
    Thanks for the info on the champion gen i jst ordered 1 frm walmart lastweek its been delivered jst havent been home to check it out i cant wait ive been wanting to do this rooftop ac thing for awhile. Whn i get everything done i will post pic!! Thanks for all the great info
     
  5. rick3305rick

    rick3305rick Light Load Member

    50
    21
    Sep 18, 2013
    0
    Thsts great. Mines been working real good, actually gets so cold i leave a screen in the window. I gonna add a regularthermostat, should work better than the dial control. Id post pics but dont know how, lol....
     
  6. Starline

    Starline Medium Load Member

    357
    251
    Jun 1, 2011
    Middle Tn
    0
    Try checking out page #8 and page #11 about rooftops.

    btw, almost 3 yrs later, my Dometic rooftop & proheat apu (for power source) is still working perfectly.
     
  7. TheLittleGuy

    TheLittleGuy Medium Load Member

    389
    64
    Apr 13, 2008
    Nashville, TN
    0
    Has anyone mounted one of those rooftop AC units onto their back wall?
     
  8. RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

    2,015
    3,166
    Feb 21, 2015
    Bement, IL
    0
    Most AC units cannot be turned from their designed position. IE, a horizontal (roof mount) can't be used vertically (wall mount). And vice/versa.
     
    TheLittleGuy Thanks this.
  9. TheLittleGuy

    TheLittleGuy Medium Load Member

    389
    64
    Apr 13, 2008
    Nashville, TN
    0
  10. Terry270

    Terry270 Road Train Member

    1,455
    1,678
    Jan 21, 2014
    BG, KY
    0
    They talked about one in this thread that could be mounted on the back wall.
     
  11. TheLittleGuy

    TheLittleGuy Medium Load Member

    389
    64
    Apr 13, 2008
    Nashville, TN
    0
    Yeah, the Coleman backwall unit. Big and pricey!
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.