Basement Air

[Greyhound]

I have a 2008 Gulfstream Tourmaster, T40B, with three A/C's on the roof with heat pumps, and would like to have them removed and have basement air/heat installed.
I have contacted two separate facilities, one in Indiana (Elkhart) and another in Eugene Oregon. One said it could be done, gave me a ball park quote and was suppose to do some research and get back to me within a week (that was five months ago). The second indicated it was more than they wanted to take on at this time (I appreciate their honesty).
Does anyone know who might do this type of work or if it is even possible? I know I would lose one of the gas heaters (rear bathroom) but we don't use it that much to be considered a loss.
Our previous coaches had basement air and we found it to be much quieter (sp) that the roof models.
Any assistance/information is appreciated.
Thank you,
Bob

[scenic route]

Bob, We also have roof air units w/heat pumps (2). In addition to the outlets directly below the units, there is duct work with outlets throughout the coach roof...the outlets below the units ARE noisy so I understand the desire to 'quieten' things down a bit. However, I would think the retro would be highly cost prohibitive.

Unless the original manufacturer does the mod, special duct work would have to be built and fitted to tie into existing overhead duct work from the new basement units(and the placement or mounting of these units may be problematic as well...room?), up the sides of the coach which would require either pulling inside/outside and ceiling paneling or installing exposed duct work on the interior/exterior...NAH. All the associated wiring to configure in and around existing plumbing and wiring, sprayed in foam insulation... GADS!

I really do not care for the noise these units put out either, but my plan (based on my current rate of hearing loss) is to wait a couple of years and all that blow'n will not be NEAR as annoying! Just say'n...

Other than the above, give Gulfstream a call to see if your plan falls into the realm of possibility. If however, you follow my plan, please send me 10% of your cost savings...I need fuel and I should be able to crisscross the Rockies 'bout six times on what you could send! Thanks and good luck with the plan. Bob

[jcthorne]

Coleman discontinued production of the basement air units. Winnebago has converted production of all coaches to roof air for 2011.

[RJay]

I had basement air in my previous 2000 Suncrusier which was located under the bedroom. While in the front of the coach it was quiet but at night it was not only noisey but the vibration was bothersome. I have roof A/C's now and find them much more quiet and at night I can shut off the rear unit and enjoy a nice peaceful sleep.

[a k]

With the basement heat pump, I believe most coaches have just ONE. Whats the chance of three on the roof going bad at the same time?

And remember. heat rises so basement ducts can't keep ceiling cool

I have three with a common (one) supply duct. Just crank center one down and shut bedroom off. Works great. Also ,I'm old and half deaf.

[Cruzer]

My '03 Suncruiser had basement air with heat pumps. It was underneath the bedroom and the output was ducted up through the rear cap to a plenum in the ceiling. I found the under-the-bed mechanical racket to be annoying at the least while the airflow through the ceiling vents was quiet.

Our '04 Allegro Bus had two Dometic Penguin rooftop units with heat pumps. I found the overall noise to be equal with the basement air. Except, now the noise was during the day from the rooftop units but we could sleep much better at night with no mechanical noise under the bedroom. The noise was really coming from the exposed intake grills beneath the air conditioners rather than from the output ducts.

Our '07 Bus has three Coleman RV Comfort rooftop units with heat pumps. But, in '07 Tiffin went to a totally ducted system. No more intake grills. Instead one row of louvers handled the intake air plenum while the row on the other side handled the outlet air. Huge difference! This setup is very quiet when compared to either of the previous systems.

To actually install a basement unit, where none exists, has got to be a huge undertaking. Personally I think that you won't gain anything but will just exchange one type of noise for another. Given what I've found I would consider redoing the rooftop air instead. For less money than the basement conversion you could have the ceiling redone with a ducted system. Today's high end coaches have that recessed mirror in the ceiling but the real secret is that the air conditioner intake comes from around the edges of the recess. That should quiet things down quite a bit for less money. There are coach service and upgrade centers that do that sort of custom work.

[two-niner]

Not being a "wise guy" but it's obvious who is giving advice without ______.
Basement air is located under the coach and ducted up to the ceiling with a common plenum. So "cooled" air is coming down thru adjustable vents just like roof installed a/c. It is extremely quiet during the day. DW placed all our blankets and sheet, etc under our king sleep numbers mattress and at night it is just like a stick house. Quiet.
To Greyhound: Man, that would be incredibly expensive!!! Probably as expensive as trading to a Winnebago with basement air. See if you can follow Cruzer's advice. Keep us posted.

Kerry

[Greyhound]

We did receive a quote to have the conversion, using the existing duct work that is in the ceiling. The service center I spoke with gave me a quote of approximately $8,000.00, most which would have been labor. Total down time approximately ten days. They were going to do some research and get back to me with an alternative approach (that was five months ago). Haven't heard a word.
True there are pros and cons on both. We happen to like the basement unit as in our minds, it was not as noisy. Even at night when we ran it. Presently we run the front unit at night and the bleed over via the ceiling ducts does keep the bedroom cool along with a small fan.
At some point when I am near a service center I will investigate ways to quiet down the existing system.
Thanks to all for your input/comments.
Bob