Can an Air Conditioner Outdoor Unit Fit in a Car?
3 Answers
No. During transportation, if the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is placed horizontally, the shaking amplitude of the air conditioner compressor will be very large. The shaking process can cause severe deformation or even breakage of the copper pipes connected to the compressor, leading to damage to the air conditioner. Below are precautions for using a car trunk: 1. Do not place overly heavy items: The heavier the cargo in the car, the more fuel the car will consume. When there are more items in the trunk, fuel consumption will also increase. As the weight increases, the car's inertia will become greater, which can worsen the severity in the event of a rear-end collision. 2. Do not place flammable or explosive items: The most common items in this category are fireworks and gasoline. Excessive temperatures or accidents can cause them to ignite instantly.
I often drive to help friends move, and I've encountered the task of transporting outdoor AC units. These units are generally quite large, measuring about 1 meter in length, half a meter in width, and around 70 cm in height. Although the trunk opening of a sedan might be 1 meter wide, the depth is often insufficient to fit the entire unit. Once, I tried using my family sedan, but the trunk lid wouldn't close. Forcing it in would have scratched the interior. In the end, I had to place it on the back seat, which was a huge effort—the unit weighed about 40 kg, and I nearly strained my back moving it. Afterwards, the car was full of dust, and it took a long time to clean up. I recommend measuring the trunk and back seat space with a tape measure beforehand to see if the dimensions match, but it's best to avoid this if possible. Consider renting a pickup truck or SUV for a more secure and safer option, saving both your car and yourself from damage. Safety first—don't take risks to save money, or you might regret it later.
As a parent who has used the family car for years and often carries various items when going out with kids, I know very well whether an outdoor AC unit can fit in a sedan. The outdoor unit is quite large—generally, the trunk depth of a sedan isn’t sufficient, the width might barely work, but the height prevents the trunk from closing. Once, during a move, I tried fitting it into the back seat of a Toyota sedan by folding down the seats, but the edges of the unit scratched the door frame, costing me money to repair the paint. Even worse, vibrations could loosen parts of the unit, affecting its performance later. Measuring dimensions is crucial—check the trunk size in the manual and measure the outdoor unit’s length, width, and height. Sedans are convenient for daily cargo, but large items like outdoor units require caution; consider using logistics or a truck for safer transport. To avoid damaging the car, the AC unit, or risking safety, always think through the consequences.
