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2020 on 320 AC removal?

MarkAl
MarkAl Member Posts: 509
in Modifications & Upgrades
I'll be getting a 2021 Boondock S soon and think we will rarely use the AC as we'll be dry camping much of the time.  To me the obvious is to remove the AC unit and tubes and use the area for storage.  I looked in a model and it didn't appear very difficult to remove it.  Has anybody else done this?  If so my thought is to make it convertible if for example we plan a desert trip with power we may put it back in.  
Snohomish WA, 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee
Sm@ll World: 2021 320S Boondock, 6V Pb-acid
Shunt, Roof & Remote solar & 30A DC-DC Chargers
managed by VE Smart Network
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Comments

  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,655
    I promptly replaced my wall-mounted unit with a cabinet, but I get the feeling that yanking the A/C in general is not a popular mod. In addition, the A/C you have is a relatively recent change so not all that common.
    You may have to be a pioneer on this one. Please report back on how it goes!
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
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  • JustG
    JustG Member Posts: 1
    Removing the AC unit is easy. There is a nylon strap holding it in place. Undo the strap, remove the 3 vent hoses and unplug the thermostat and the wall plug. Lift the unit out. There will be 3 holes in the floor that will have to be plugged in some fashion. one round one for the drain, one about 4x4in. square and one about 12x4in. rectangle.



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  • MarkAl
    MarkAl Member Posts: 509
    Wow, thanks in the Pac NW it'll rarely be a problem until visiting the dry side and I won't have AC anyways for the places I'm planning to go.  I have to wait until mid April to pick up the trailer then we've lots of plans...
    Snohomish WA, 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee
    Sm@ll World: 2021 320S Boondock, 6V Pb-acid
    Shunt, Roof & Remote solar & 30A DC-DC Chargers
    managed by VE Smart Network
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  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 1,934
    MarkAl said:
    Wow, thanks in the Pac NW it'll rarely be a problem until visiting the dry side and I won't have AC anyways for the places I'm planning to go.  I have to wait until mid April to pick up the trailer then we've lots of plans...
    Though, what if you decide to go to really hot areas in the future.

    I've purchased s small/cheap gas generator/inverter just for those locations.  Something to cool the TaB down near bedtime.

    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures:  58   Nights:  405  Towing Miles 50,180
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  • MarkAl
    MarkAl Member Posts: 509
    It will probably sit in the garage and wait for special trips to the hot/humid areas.  We don't have a good idea yet how much storage space we will need in the TV.  I was thinking maybe a pantry & less used items in the space.  From the pict it looks pretty straight forward to convert as needed. Since we live a ways from snow (1 1/2 hrs) in winter we hope to camp just below the snow or at sno-parks for easy skiing/snowshoeing.  Storage will be nice for the warm clothes needed.
    Snohomish WA, 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee
    Sm@ll World: 2021 320S Boondock, 6V Pb-acid
    Shunt, Roof & Remote solar & 30A DC-DC Chargers
    managed by VE Smart Network
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  • RedDoorGals
    RedDoorGals Member Posts: 36
    MarkAl I too live in the PNW and am thinking of removing the AC unit; now that you've done it, any regrets or insights? We travel in the SW and desert areas but have never (in about 9 years) felt the need for AC (besides we are predominantly boon docking).  Any photos of your finished opening? and what/how did you close off the outside vent opening?


    2018 T@B CS-S; pulled by a 2010 Toyota Tacoma v6
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  • MarkAl
    MarkAl Member Posts: 509
    We haven't left the PNW much and have used it only once when we knew East side Hot temps were coming AND we were going to be in a utility site.  I put it back in for this and appreciated it. The reality is we don't use the space as it's too hard to get to and we don't need it for the week long trips we've be taking. So I've left it in just in case we camp in a hot spot and we go for a utility site. We generally dry camp in odd spots w/o power so it still isn't used. BUT my wife does like having the option if REAL hot.
    No photos I just screwed a plate over the opening after I removed the box and the tubes / wiring. Not a big deal but it was not trivial to store or move in and out of the trailer. If you want the space take it out but as our camping style doesn't use the space I'd leave it in.
    Snohomish WA, 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee
    Sm@ll World: 2021 320S Boondock, 6V Pb-acid
    Shunt, Roof & Remote solar & 30A DC-DC Chargers
    managed by VE Smart Network
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  • DigPolo
    DigPolo Member Posts: 52
    We live in Huntington Beach, Ca. We removed the A/C very easily and now want to add a cabinet door to cover the opening/storage. Is there a stock cabinet door for sale? Ive looked all over and don’t see anything. We might just end up building one.
    2018 T@B 320 S Boondock - 2011 Toyota Tacoma - Huntington Beach, Ca
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