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Original CAs on 98/99
When looking at 98/99 era buses with original CA units, should it be assumed that replacements will be required soon even if they are currently performing well? My assumption is yes.
I’ve noticed more than just a couple that have gone so far as to put roof airs in and abandon the CAs – which seems fairly drastic. Is that primarily due to the cost of replacement CAs or better cooling performance? Or both?
What’s the typical life-cycle of a CA? 10 yr? 15 yr?
Not wanting to start a CA vs. RT debate, just trying to learn.
@admin – not sure why my signature isn’t showing up, I believe all required fields are completed.
Clint & Tammy Summers
2000 XL 45 Country Coach (rivets)
1977 FC31 Bluebird Wanderlodge (more rivets)
Vonore TN -
8 Replies
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I didn’t have anything newer than a 2002 with cruiseairs, but everyone was good until summer came and once temps got in the 90’s cruisairs were a PIA. High temp when going down the road shutting off, shut downs due to crappy campground 50 amp due to high start amperage and lack of support when trying to get one repaired while traveling, not to mention parts shortages. One trip in OK City, high 90’s, I was down to 1 A/C out of 4 that hi temped and had to spray water under the bus to keep that one going. Once I got my 04 Marathon with roof airs, it was a different world.
if you have 20 year old cruiseairs, the solution is to do what Jon did, just go to AAP and have them all replaced. Problem is now, parts, new and rebuilt units are hard to come by. They were made for boats and water cooling, enough said.
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No! My 1988 still had 2 of the originals and the 3rd was a rebuilt unit. You are many years newer and you should be able to rebuild any unit you have.
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You may not have meant to start a debate, but………….IMO, when buying that old of a bus you need to be $rich$, handy, or both.Our bus has 3 CA from 3 different manufactures, Taylor Made Development, Marine Development, and AAP/Dometic. They are what came in it when we bought it 7-8 yrs ago. I’m definitely NOT rich, but I am a DIYer (by necessity). I’ve learned and managed to keep them going. Mine aren’t maintenance free, but they’re paid for, and I work cheap. One leaks a pound or two of R22 per yr. The other two leak a little every few yrs. I’ve had capacitors fail twice. The CA condensers are difficult to work on due to their location.
I love our Liberty, but I would prefer roof airs. You can buy 3 or 4 new roof airs for the price on one rebuilt CA. It would free up space too.Clint & Tammy Summers
2000 XL 45 Country Coach (rivets)
1977 FC31 Bluebird Wanderlodge (more rivets)
Vonore TN -
Interesting.
If performance is bad, and cost to maintain is high, why does the industry continue to offer them and why do people continue to buy? Aside from the benefit of less noise and no holes in the roof, is there any scenario where they have a clear performance advantage?
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Historically my Cruisairs started to have issues at 15 years of age. They ranged from minor such as a bad start capacitor to a bad compressor which is a big deal. I’m comfortable working on stuff but I did not buy a Prevost conversion to be screwing with repairs so I just wipe the slate clean and start fresh.
That applies to everything including air bags, CAs, brake chambers, etc. based on anecdotal evidence and my personal experiences.
It will be your coach so you decide what you want to do. One thing is for certain, if you buy a bus with roof airs they are no more or less reliable and each has its advantages and disadvantages. YMMV
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The disadvantage to roof air is the noise. The advantage of a roof air is you can throw one off the roof and have a brand new one setup and ready to go for less than $1000. This should be good for the next 10 years or so.
1 Cruiseair is 14,000 BTU so you can also get more BTU’s with roof airs depending upon the units you buy. I find that the roof airs also cool the coach down faster than the Cruisairs did in my other coach with lower electrical demand.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
We still use our original Cruise Airs at 21 years of age. We have OTR, so only use them in camp grounds. One unit could use a top off. Otherwise they are ok.
One disclaimer, we mostly camp during the winter months in AZ so it rarely gets over 90 deg F. Don’t think our CAs would be sufficient during southern summers.
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Hands down roof airs are the best for cooling . Yes a little noisy but while sleeping at a rest stop I found the noise a plus. The issue Clint as mentioned above are the CA units are low to the ground in an enclosed box , so cooling them is impossible unless you wish to use a Garden sprinkler .
While in Utah last summer it was so hot we started the coach and ran the OTR to cool down the coach prior to going to bed . The issue with adding roof airs will be the ceiling finish , however I bet for 20k or so it can be done to your standards of excellence . Now pull the trigger on that coach before it’s gone 🙂
Jeff and Lindsay
91 Marathon XL
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