Can Coleman-Mach Underbunk RV AC Be Installed In An Underbody Toolbox?

Updated 03/11/2026 | Published 03/08/2026

Question:

Can this be installed in a underbody tool box. Would probably need to be 36x16x18 or so.

asked by: Leon

Expert Reply:

Hey Leon, thanks for reaching out, and good question. No, that Coleman-Mach Underbunk RV AC # CM82RR unit really isn’t meant to live in an underbody toolbox. Even though it’s called “under-bench,” it’s still designed to operate in a properly vented interior installation with controlled airflow and drainage. A sealed toolbox under the RV is a hot, confined space that won’t give the condenser and heat pump section the airflow they need. You’d end up trapping heat around the unit, hurting performance and likely shortening its life pretty quickly.

On top of that, you’ve got to think about condensation drainage, service access, and how the unit pulls and returns air. An underbody box just isn’t built to handle that without major modification, and at that point you’re fighting the design of the system.

What kind of RV are you wanting to install it in?

expert reply by: Jesse M