Aluminum framing @ Danby A/C

gnudad2
gnudad2 Member Posts: 32
in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Need to know ( maybe someone has pics) if there's any aluminum framing in the wall that the Danby air conditioning vents through.  I have a 2017 320s.    Thinking about putting the unit on glides and shoving it outside where it belongs during use.  The opening will  need to be enlarged so I don't need any surprises.   TIA!
Tom & Susan & Della
2017 320S / 2015 Tacoma TRDSport

Comments

  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 2,052
    check out this reference material

    '18 320 S, pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based

    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures: 59 Nights: 411 Towing Miles 50,350

  • gulfarea
    gulfarea Member Posts: 524
    @gnudad2 Sounds like a great idea, please keep us posted. Art
    2019 TaB 320 S Boondock Edge
  • gnudad2
    gnudad2 Member Posts: 32
    Thanks @MuttonChops! 
    Not showing any framing there, which is good.  Was surprised to  find aluminum around the fridge fan vent cover so I was being cautious. 
    Although your prints don't show any framing,  I feel pretty sure there isn't, judging by the crudely jigsawed opening the factory did.
    Tom & Susan & Della
    2017 320S / 2015 Tacoma TRDSport
  • CrabTab
    CrabTab Member Posts: 457
    They aren't great, but here are a few shots of the inside of the AC area on my 2019 from a few years ago @gnudad2.

    You can just make out the aluminum framing in the first one



    The second pic shows the square tubing (with the angle aluminum that supports the AC unit) a little better



    These were from the day I installed a diamond plate hatch cover over the AC opening



    Hope this helps...

    2019 320 Boondock Edge     - Sold Jan 2022
  • gnudad2
    gnudad2 Member Posts: 32
    Thanks, @CrabTab!  
    I need to poke around some more.  Today isn't going to be quite so hot so I  can spend time in my T@B without becoming a puddle!   
    Love the outside cover on yours.  I will have to do something similar.......once I get the nerve to start fabricating. 
    Hold still, little T@B, this is gonna hurt me, more than you.  Lol
    Tom & Susan & Della
    2017 320S / 2015 Tacoma TRDSport
  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,420
    Here are some more photos that might be helpful:
    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/2709/how-to-remove-the-air-conditioner/p1

    My A/C unit weighs 37 lbs. assuming it is completely deployed on slides, I wonder what downward stress would be exerted on the aluminum frame inside the front cabin facia (i.e. upward pressure against the cabin ceiling)?  Also, once deployed, how would one seal the larger opening? Finally, wouldn't the existing wood A/C cabinet hinder air flow into the cabin now that the front of the unit is pushed back to the very rear of the cabinet?  Just some thoughts I had when contemplating this very same mod a few years ago.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
  • gnudad2
    gnudad2 Member Posts: 32
    @Tabaz
    Yep, I hear you.  May not be doable, but we'll see.  :-)
    Tom & Susan & Della
    2017 320S / 2015 Tacoma TRDSport
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    A TaG owner did this:  

    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • Dutch061
    Dutch061 Member Posts: 765
    You might be a redneck if...... LOL

    Brad
    2020 400 BDL aka "Boonie"
    2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
    2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
    Concord, NC 
  • BrianZ
    BrianZ Member Posts: 1,770
    I have a photo showing framing pretty well from when I wired a radio antenna to the roof - see here & scroll down..
    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/127687#Comment_127687

    -Brian in Chester, Virginia
    TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
    RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods 
  • gnudad2
    gnudad2 Member Posts: 32
    @BrianZ. Thanks for taking the time to post this.
    Every little bit helps!
    Tom & Susan & Della
    2017 320S / 2015 Tacoma TRDSport
  • gnudad2
    gnudad2 Member Posts: 32
    @Sharon_is_SAM.   Yeah, that's how it should be and how it's designed to be used......well sort of.  Lol
    Pretty sure my wife would expect a little more elegant approach from me!
    Tom & Susan & Della
    2017 320S / 2015 Tacoma TRDSport
  • BrianZ
    BrianZ Member Posts: 1,770
    @gnudad2, 
    It's really not a big deal to remove the a/c unit from the wall, so you can inspect the framing..  just a couple screws to remove the wood frame, then slide it out & set it on the table.  My cord was long enough.  I'm wondering if what you really wanted to know was about framing inside the wall itself.  If so, I'm wondering whether using a stud-finder on the outside wall could help.  Might need to remove the outside vent cover first.
    -Brian in Chester, Virginia
    TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
    RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods 
  • gnudad2
    gnudad2 Member Posts: 32
    @BrianZ.  Oh yes, it's been removed and in my shop since we've been back from our latest camp out.....and not the first time, either.  Lol
    And yes, it's what might be in the actual wall that I was curious about.   However, I've pretty much decided that there isn't any aluminum framing there except what is around the window below.
    Forgot about my stud finder, but I'll give that a try just to be sure what I'm dealing with. 
    Thanks!
    Tom & Susan & Della
    2017 320S / 2015 Tacoma TRDSport

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