2nd time losing front AC shroud

Topic: 2nd time losing front AC shroud (Read 810 times) previous topic - next topic

2nd time losing front AC shroud

August 13, 2022, 06:10:08 am

Hi everyone,
My AC's are original.
How can I strengthen the area around the attachment point on these flimsy plastic shrouds? I have lost the front one twice.

The last time I bought a new one I reinforced it with some gorilla tape inside and out & covered the screw at the same time. GONE!

I now have 2 new ones, so I don't have a gold and white one on the roof.

The new ones came with holes on the front and side instead of front and rear so I will drill some holes on the side of the AC frame to secure them.

I have not hit any branches or low clearance.
What can I do to make sure they don't fly away?

Thanks

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #1 – August 13, 2022, 07:09:14 am

Remove the screws. Buy stainless steel screws the same size AND stainless steel FENDER WASHERS. If you have any Eternabond tape, put that between the washer and the shroud. If no Eternabond, a rubber washer/piece of inner tube instead.

This materially increases the "holding area".

BTW, these shrouds are a lot more stout than OE: Air Conditioner Shrouds | AC Shrouds | RV Air Conditioner Covers

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #2 – August 13, 2022, 07:21:50 am

Be careful and don't over tighten the screws. I also put a rubber washer on mine.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #3 – August 13, 2022, 08:18:55 am

Is it possible that vibration, caused by turbulence, may have caused the screws to come loose?
We used to put some silicone caulk on the bolt threads on a machine if we were concerned the bolt or nut might come loose from vibration. But we could take the bolts out by hand if necessary.
Worth a try.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #4 – August 13, 2022, 09:01:39 am

Analyze the failure mode. What, if anything, was left behind when the cover departed?

If the cover is gone, but the screws that held it down are still there (with or without pieces of the missing shroud) then the cover failed by breaking apart. In that case, the "lot more stout than OE" covers mentioned by Brett would be the appropriate solution.

If the cover is gone, AND all the screws that held the cover down are gone, then the screws backed out or pulled out. In that case, it is the fasteners that failed, and the methods of reinforcing the fasteners mentioned by Brett and Bruce and Norm and are the appropriate solutions: better quality screws, big washers under the screws, tape or rubber under washers to strengthen area around the hole in the shroud and quell vibration.

You say the new covers have "holes on the front and side instead of front and rear so I will drill some holes on the side of the AC frame to secure them". In addition to using the front and side holes, you could also drill the new cover to allow use of the existing rear mounting holes. The more screws you have holding down the cover, the less chance of losing it.

Stuff happens- missing a/c shroud, busted skylight dome, torn topper awning

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #5 – August 13, 2022, 09:10:55 am

I did exactly what Brett suggested! You need more surface to hold those screws from tearing loose or cracking the covers! Have lost one as well and hopefully, never again! Lost somewhere on I-40 near Amarillo!

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #6 – August 13, 2022, 09:26:48 am

If the screws are still there after the shroud "takes wings", why not get some stainless bars, about 1/8" x 2" x 6" to distribute the hold-down resistance against the turbulence, and bolt them in place on your new shrouds instead of fender washers that concentrate the holding in a small area that is susceptible to failure?

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #7 – August 13, 2022, 01:38:40 pm

Screws are always left behind.
The shrouds I just purchased are from Home Depot.
I will check out the icon website.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #8 – August 13, 2022, 01:46:40 pm

You can also reinforce the shroud around the holes with something like....
Super Glue Permanent Reinforced Polyester Fiberglass Patch #15298,Black -...

or

JB Weld 38236 2" x 36" FiberGlass Repair Cast | JB Tools

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #9 – August 14, 2022, 08:55:03 am

If possible send a picture.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #10 – August 14, 2022, 09:36:29 am

Last time for me was with the more flimsy OEM shrouds. I rivetted short strips of pipe strapping [strap with lots of holes] at the attachment points to spread out the stress points. Seemed to work pretty well.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #11 – August 15, 2022, 06:23:40 pm

I should be back at the coach in a few weeks and will follow up.
Thanks everyone

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #12 – August 15, 2022, 06:42:59 pm

I used self tappers and added 4 more on the sides (2ea side). It has a little lip they screw through and nothing behind them unless you use a real long screw.. Dont do that.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #13 – August 15, 2022, 07:34:25 pm

John here are some pics
The plastic is just shy of 1/8"

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #14 – August 16, 2022, 06:01:47 am

Totally different design from earlier models,we have 4 studs on top,is there any way you can convert to nuts and bolts.Like the above posts say,more surface area for a hold down point.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #15 – August 16, 2022, 08:33:02 am

After loosing two covers I just added the extra screws to the sides and they have never come loose again. Literally takes 5 min to add them.

Not sure why they use just 4 screws total ..Seems the weak point.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #16 – August 16, 2022, 08:50:41 am

Quote from: NevadaBornRvR – August 16, 2022, 08:33:02 am

Not sure why they use just 4 screws total ..Seems the weak point.

Obvious...so they can sell more replacement covers. It's called "Contrived Durability", and is a variant of "Planned Obsolescence".

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #17 – August 16, 2022, 09:22:18 am

What about mounting something like a stainless piano hinge permanently on the bottom half and use screws on the top half of the shroud--both sides. Distributes the load. Simple to remove for service or troubleshooting.
Redundant fasteners reduces the possibility of failure.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #18 – August 19, 2022, 12:49:53 am

Took your advise on adding some more screws for anchorage. Hopefully I will never have one come off!!

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #19 – August 19, 2022, 09:09:37 am

Quote from: dicksop – August 19, 2022, 12:49:53 am

Took your advise on adding some more screws for anchorage. Hopefully I will never have one come off!!

THey sell the larger head self tap screw but those should work. Just needed a little more bite.

Re: 2nd time losing front AC shroud

Reply #20 – September 10, 2022, 08:10:03 am

Hi everyone,
Made it back up to the coach to install the new AC shrouds.

Found my rear AC shroud not only had a crack where one of the front screws attach but also a 5 " vertical crack in between both front screws.
The cover came with instructions on how the foam insulation should be placed on two separate units. Both showed the insulation attached to the AC unit itself. My old cover had the foam attached to the underside of the cover but no template was provided to attach it to the cover.
I vacuumed and cleaned the AC, particularly the areas where the new self adhesive insulation was going to be applied.
When I went to install the new cover It was a little more difficult due to the new insulation.
Fortunately all the holes lined up and I used rubber washers to get a larger area to hold the cover.

The front AC had the insulation attached to the AC but was missing a piece about 17 " long that was supposed to be on the metal cover for the evaporator.
I found it wrapped around the shaft on the motor. My front AC was sounding different lately, I thought it was on its last leg. I removed the insulation from the motor and replaced the insulation on the AC, reattached the shroud using rubber washers.

I purchased the shrouds from Home Depot because it's easy to return if something wasn't right. When I first got them I thought they were more robust than what was on the coach but I was wrong, same thing.
I will be adding another screw in the front and hopefully these will last a while.

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