Do You Have Time For A Story Shrouded In Mystery?

When we purchased the BoggsMobile in March of 2008, it did not have air conditioners on the roof. It had three Cruise Airs and they were on their last legs. When they began to fail, I began pricing having roof airs installed.

After a few misdirections and false starts, I found a bus converter that needed work and was willing to install four roof units cheaply. We were happy to get them on in November 2009 and get rid of the Cruise Airs.

We replaced one of the AC units after ten years. It was the unit that we use the most and so it gets the most abuse. The only other problem we have had is losing the plastic shrouds on the outside. They get brittle from the sun and then turn loose without warning while going down the road and fly into a million pieces.

We have purchased at least nine shrouds for the front three ACs. That is nine that we can definitely document. The number may be higher than that. Then add the three original shrouds and the new shroud on the AC that has been replaced. That is thirteen shrouds for three roof ACs 

We replaced two in October 2019, one month shy of 10 years since we installed the rooftop ACs. Those are the last two to be replaced. Thirteen shrouds in less than ten years.

Did you notice that I said we had four ACs installed in November 2009? AND we have had at least thirteen shrouds on three ACs? What about the fourth unit? Thank you for asking.

The fourth AC, the one at the rear of the bus, has never had the shroud replaced. That cover has never even been removed until last week. We noticed earlier this year, it was cracking, but new shrouds were impossible to source due to COVID shortages. I checked last week and found a few in stock.

The Dometic brand shrouds that were in stock were about $70 higher than normal. I found an aftermarket shroud for about the normal price. It seems a little thicker/stouter, but the mounting holes did not line up perfectly. I expected that from the reviews. It was an easy enough fix.

This was the first time we have ever replaced a shroud inside the barn. We have been up there in the blazing sun, blistering wind, blasting rain, blizzarding snow and now inside the blessed barn!😁

Now the rear AC has a new shroud and we are on at least our fourteenth shroud in 11+ years. Maybe this one will last until 2032. I hope so, because I may have to buy thirteen for the other three in that time period!

Thank you for visiting today. May God bless you with a great day.

Davy