The Best And Easiest To Install RV Rooftop AC Air Conditioner
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Coleman Rooftop AC-The Best Choice
Getting the Best Deal On the Best RV AC Unit
The rooftop air conditioner in your motor home or camper trailer is one of the most necessary items in your RV. Since the majority of owners use their campers in the summer season, keeping the rooftop unit in tip top working order is a must.
Even assuming you have maintained and repaired your RV AC unit for several years, there comes a time when replacing it is unavoidable. After the unit has a bit of age on it from being used over years of camping seasons, it is often less expensive to just replace the unit instead of having it repaired.
Because replacing the ac unit is normally a very simple job, many RV owners have discovered just how easy and inexpensive installing an air conditioner really is. Replacement of the air conditioner with a new, and more efficient, unit can take as little as one hour to complete in some cases.
I have replaced and installed many of these units in both motorhomes and travel trailers with most being fairly simple procedures.
This article is intended give you the info needed to not only obtain the best rooftop AC for your particular camper or motorhome, but to get it delivered quickly, and at a great price. My experience in removing and installing AC units will help you complete the project and keep you cool. Any questions you need answered may be posted on the comment section at the bottom of the page.
Finishing the AC Installation Process.
Coleman, The Best Rooftop RV Air Conditioners
Before deciding on the brand or model of rooftop air conditioners, you may wish to see just what replacing your old AC entails. Check out my other AC installation articles which give step by step instructions for the complete process.
This will give you an idea of what to expect, and an idea of any problems you may encounter during the Coleman AC installation.
The Rooftop RV AC unit pictured in the installation is a Coleman 8333 13.5 BTU air conditioner. This model is perhaps the most popular unit for most applications. It comes complete with everything needed including the ceiling assembly.
Every one of these units I am aware of being ordered through the ads on this page was shipped in less than 3 days and arrived in less than a week. My personal favorite of all rooftop AC’s.
Coleman units are now more energy efficient than ever, allowing the use of a bigger unit because of the lesser electrical amperage once needed to run the older AC units.
The Coleman 8335 Mach 15 air conditioner, with its 15,000 BTU cooling performance, is just such a model. This rooftop unit will cool many size RVs whether camper trailer or motorhome. A great unit for big rigs! It's better to have to large a unit than to overwork a smaller one trying to cool a large camper on those hot summer days.
 | The most popular Coleman Rooftop AC Amazon Price: $724.92 |
| For extra cooling power Amazon Price: $839.84 |
 | Protects your Coleman Rooftop AC during the off season Amazon Price: $18.04 List Price: $27.99 |
Enjoy The New Coleman RV AC
Once you decide on which model Coleman air conditioner you need, be sure to keep them well maintained by following a season maintenance schedule laid out in my RV AC repair and Maintenance articles linked on this page.
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have in regard to installing your new Coleman rooftop unit, or with any problems you may be experiencing with your present unit.
Coleman units have a great warranty and have a reputation for long lasting and dependable service.
Be sure and use a rooftop unit cover when the camper is not in use. This is very important to the life of the Coleman AC and to the performance of the unit itself. Good luck on your installation.
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Good luck with the AC replacement Steve! Thanks for reading and commenting!
This hub is not for me but I will pass it on to my son. It will be more useful to him. Well and clearly written Hub, thank you.
Thanks once again, Hello, hello! And I appreciate the nice comments on my hubs!
Your "real life" expertise shows! A manual does not replace your hands on knowledge. great hub.
I certainly hope you are correct, Dallas! I try to make these how-to RV repair articles easy for owners to understand. Thanks for stopping by!
Good information here Randy! I was servicing my 35ft 5th wheel (Honey) a/c once, and right when I was putting the last screw in for the cover(with a power drill), guess what? Yep, right into the freon line.
I sold the R.v. but I sure had some good times with it.
I'm sure you weren't the first to do that, LJ! I have made similar blunders but I always learn from them. Thanks
Great hub , with some good info.
Hi Randy> We have Coleman Rooftop AC Series 8 or 9000. Water pooling in tray then overflowing back into caravan. Cant find drainage holes to see if they are blocked. Any clues.
Hello Carol! I am not familiar with your particular Coleman rooftop AC but most use a similar system for removing the condensation from the unit. While some rooftop AC units use a hole in the chassis for the water to drain down from, most of the newer models simply disperse the water into the air by way of the exhaust fan.
In some cases the accumulated water cannot flow to the area where it can be properly dispersed. Often, simply cleaning the debris, whether it is rust, dirt, leaves, etc. from the bottom of the unit so the moisture may flow to the correct area.
If a drain is utilized by your AC it will be located in the lowest spot on the bottom of the AC unit. Remove any rust, dirt, etc. and probe with a thin flexible wire to open up the drain. Disconnect from power before using either cleaning process. Hope this helps you out!
I have a Duo Therm unit on my 36' Layton trailer. It runs for about 15 minutes the compessor kicks out and the fan continues to run. If I stop and restart it, it will work again for 15 minutes. Any ideas on why it just wont keep working? I have had repair men look at it with little help. Could it be the thermostat?
@David Carlson--Although it is possible the thermostat could be malfunctioning, it is highly unlikely it is causing the problem. If the RV ac unit starts right back up after the compressor kicks off by shutting off the unit and then starting it back up immediately, this sounds more like a relay or starting capacitor problem.
I assume the repair men used an amp meter to determine if the compressor was pulling too many amps and therefore tripping the overload. Normally, the compressor will not start up immediately after kicking off.
It is, however, rather easy and inexpensive to replace the thermostat in your particular DuoTherm RV AC unit if you cannot track down the problem and wish to try replacing it. I hope this info helps you in some manner. Thanks for the question and good luck on your repairs.
Randy
I will be adding an air conditioner to my horse trailer LQ's. Unit is prewired for the unit but would like a step by step on how to install. Looks easy but? Unit is a Mach 5 Coleman w/heat strip.
Thanks, Mike
Hi Mike! It should be an easy job if the wiring is already present. If the horse trailer already has a 14x14 inch vent hole then you are good to go. Otherwise, cutting the hole will be the hardest part of the A/C installation.
If you need further advice feel free to ask and I'll be glad to assist you with any problems you may encounter. Thanks for visiting my site and for the comments.
Randy
Randy, thanks for reply. Hole and bracing is all set for unit. Original owner opted to not add the air at time of conversion. Hope to get at it this WE.
Mike
Great, Mike! You should have a very easy installation with no problems as everything seems to be ready for the new rooftop unit. I've installed quite a few Coleman Mach 5 units and they are very easy to replace or install new.
Good luck on your installation and let me know how it comes out.
Randy
Randy, do you know if the AC comes with the gasket to install or did I need to order that separate?
Mike
Yes Mike, the new AC should come with a complete installation kit, including all gaskets and screws for the exterior mounting and for the ceiling assembly.
Randy
Randy, I installed AC this WE and there was only instructions on operation of the AC and install of heat strip in box. Thanks for the pictures and COMPLETE instructions in this forum. Had difficulty with supplier as I ordered unit first part of March. I unwrapped unit on Thursday of the past week and noticed that the shipping frame was damaged. After unbanding and removing shrouds I noticed the frame of the AC was bent and fan was tight against the shroud. Supplier said I waited too long and so sad. I was able to straighten the frame and got everything working. Guess I learned a lesson when I order to inspect ASAP not when I am ready to install. All came out good after I got over the frustration and again thanks for the help--it made the install easier.
Mike
Sorry you had a damaged unit, Mike! It is a good idea to check for damage as soon as the unit arrives. I've had the same thing happen with house units. Often the box will look fine but when unpacked, the unit can be bent from rough handling during transport.
At least it wasn't beyond repair or use. I'm pleased my article helped you in the installation process. Thanks again for your comments and time.
Randy
SteveoMc 22 months ago
I was thinking about buying an RV with a bad AC, this helps figure out how much it will take to replace it. Thanks.