a45automan
Kansas
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Joined: 02/24/2006
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Has anyone cut the 14X14 inch hole in their roof to install a vent or an air conditioner? My Fleetwood Scorpion did not come with any vent and thus, the roof is a solid one piece. I just purchased an AC and would like to get it installed this weekend but, the dreaded hole must be cut. The trailer has pins in the roof of it's location but, the jig saw still has to be used. Any insite on this matter would be a great help.
Thanks, Dwight
2006 Ford F250 4X4 6.0 liter
2005 Fleetwood Scorpion
2005 Grizzly 660
2003 Rubicon 500
2001 Rubicon 500
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abskws
Pamplin, Virginia
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Joined: 12/05/2006
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I think that I'd take it to a local body shop that would have maybe something better and more accurate to cut the hole rather than try to do it with a jig saw or a sawzall. Just a thought.
Good Luck and Drive Careful!
Allen
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Joined: 08/26/2002
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Yes, I've done and every time it's traumatic...LOL There's a lot of "tolerance"/overlap in AC's and vents, so as long as you don't go crazy and keep it fairly straight you won't have a problem.
We've had best long term results on aluminum roofs where we dig out a little of the foam core around the hole after cutting and form a box with furring strips between the ceiling and roof panels.
We've had one or two "crush" problems over the years on aluminum roofs, so we use the frame to guarantee a solid area for the AC to clamp on to.
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RPFAN
Poughkeepsie NY
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Joined: 04/02/2003
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Fear Not!! Drill the 4 holes and use jig saw from hole to hole. Done. Easy, painless and quick. If you are shy about it, run duct tape in a straight line between the drilled hole and use as a template.
Rich
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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Been there, done that...but it was mostly started by a tree branch poking a hole in the exact spot I would have put a vent anyway! The roof rafters were already placed in a 14x14 square, and the wiring was already up there for an a/c or a 12V vent. Measure several times, cut out the opening with care, and I took off just the inside section first, pulled it down, poked around to make sure there was nothing up there to be cut thru (wires, gas lines, veins and arteries, etc!  ) and then drilled pilot holes upwards thru the roof, and removed the roof section. The rest was easy and trauma free!
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Agreed as long as you know where and what to cut you will be fine.
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DualCam
Sisters, OR
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Joined: 05/24/2008
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If you have a chalk line you can just quickly snap lines between the corners and follow the chalk. Risky part is in the layout, once laid out properly the cut is easy and less scary!
If you have a circular saw, you could also adjust the cut depth to 5/8" and not worry about hitting something below. Would need to finish the cuts at the corners with a hand or jig saw but I find the circular saw to be much easier to cut straight lines with.
You'll do great and will be able to sit back, drink a beer and be satisified with a job well done!
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PopUpTom
Subject to Change, TN for now
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Joined: 08/27/2005
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Fleetwood has an installation kit that includes aluminum U-channel "spacers" that get pressed in the 4 sides of the opening, between the upper and lower aluminum skins. Those prevent the crush problem mentioned above. They also have a kit that includes the power cord and a few other items.
If you buy the Fleetwood kit with instructions, you'll see it's pretty easy to do.
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mwomack
Tennessee
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Joined: 02/26/2005
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We have a vent and are replacing it with an a/c. My DH is so afraid of messing up the roof that he is planning to pay the service center $100 to install it. I hate to pay them to do it, but I also would hate to have to replace that $800 roof again.
MWomack
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CHEWY51099
Salem, Mass
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Joined: 06/25/2005
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Make sure that the roof has the added support braces. You will be adding about 100 pounds to the roof so make sure that it is solid. Take your time cutting also.
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