>1. Was this trailer originally equipped with a "dish" in which the air
>conditioner sat, with an attachment to discharge the condensate into a tube
>that would take it to the ground? If so, would such a dish be available for
>purchase to accommodate the Coleman air conditioner?
>
>
You can purchase a "drip pan" from Airstream but its made for the
Penquin. Also you probably don't have the drain tube between the walls.
Its not too hard to add but you have to look for the easiest way to get
from the floor to the belly. I fiskhed a tube fron the roof AC cutout to
the cutout for the upper frig vent and then ran thru the frig
com,partment to the floor and on thru the floor and belly skin.
>2. Would the original air conditioner on this trailer have been supported by
>struts that spanned from top rib to top rib, on which a "dish" for the air
>conditioner would have attached? (I see no evidence of this on the top of the
>trailer). If I recall correctly, this trailer has two 20 amp circuits. I think
>I have read that this would indicate that the trailer was made to accommodate
>an air conditioner. If so, may I accurately conclude that a "strut" apparatus
>would not have been used on this trailer?
>
>
There might be lateral suppurt added between the ribs. You'll see in the
hole when you move the Coleman.
>Any advice will be greatly appreciated. can email photos to an individual
>email address, if these may assist an analysis. Bob
>
>
Here's the AC faqs from vintageairstream.com
Herb
> Q: What Air-Conditioners did Airstream offer as standard options?
>
> A: The Armstrong "Bay Breeze" was used when they first became available in
> 1960, and then as long as they were made. Sounded more like a hurricane than a breeze,
> but if you compare components and operation with newer RV AC's the difference was
> significant. These units are definitely worth repairing. The Armstrong's used commercial
> grade parts. Airstream then had to change to a Coleman Delta TX that
> had inside/outside air and did a decent job. When that model was discontinued,
> Airstream changed to the Dometic Penguin. Airstream has used the Penguin on all their
> trailers ever since.
>
>
>
> Q: When were Airstreams first pre-wired for Air-Conditioning at the center
> vent opening?
>
> A: According to Airstream records they did not start pre-wiring for air-conditioning
> until 1962-1964 (depending on model/factory). You can tell if there is a spare 20amp breaker
> in the electrical control box. In the few years prior that AC was available, wiring was run
> from the fuse panel on custom AC installations only.
>
>
>
> Q: What about the water condensate air-conditioners produce. Where does
> it go?
>
> A: The air-conditioner needs to be installed in a contoured pan, specific to the brand
> of air-conditioner - available from Airstream dealers only. This pan is connected to a drain
> hose that goes down between the inner and outer skin and exits the floor and belly pan. This
> drain was preinstalled on 1967 and later models, and has to be retrofitted on older trailers.
> This pan also adapts the AC to the rounded top of
> the Airstream.
>
>
>
> Q: Are the roofs equipped to support the weight of an air-conditioner?
>
> A: Not all until 1969. Prior to that, some models will have frame members adjacent to
> the vent opening, but others require two fore & aft stringers be placed between frames ("main bows"),
> in between the skins.