Coleman-Mach builds five rooftop families that cover almost every RV. They all fit the same 14 x 14 in roof opening. Mach 3, 15, 10 and 8 share the same ceiling assemblies and controls; the Mach 18 has its own. The differences are cooling output, how tall the unit sits on the roof, how much current it draws, and price.
If you just want the best one
The Mach-C 18 (Everest VS-18) is the most capable rooftop unit Coleman-Mach sells. It is a variable-speed inverter unit: 18,000 BTU, 12.7 A at full output and about 5 A once the room is cool, 53 dB, 68 lb, 12.13 in tall. It starts on a 2,200 W inverter generator with no soft start, and its 360-degree ceiling assembly works ducted or non-ducted. It is cool only. If heat from the roof matters, look at the heat pumps below.
The short version
| Series | BTU | Profile (height) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mach 3 Plus | 13,500 | Medium, 13.8 in | Travel trailers to about 30 ft, one AC, mild to warm climates. The volume seller. |
| Mach 15 Plus | 15,000 | Medium, 13.8 in | Larger trailers and fifth wheels, ducted systems, hot climates, two-AC rigs. Same box as Mach 3, bigger compressor. Also sold as a heat pump. |
| Mach 10 | 15,000 | Low, 11.8 in | Two inches shorter than Mach 3/15 for garage and carport clearance. Sold here as a heat pump. |
| Mach 8 Plus | 13,500 or 15,000 | Ultra-low, 8.25 in | Lowest Coleman rooftop. Vans, truck campers, fiberglass trailers, anything that has to fit under a low door. Also sold as a heat pump with a condensate pump. |
| Mach-C 18 | 18,000 | 12.13 in | The quietest, lowest-current unit on the site. Big rigs, hot climates, generator campers. Cool only. |
Mach 3 Plus or Mach 15 Plus
This is the decision most buyers are making. The two units are the same size, weigh the same (79.5 lb), use the same ceiling assemblies and draw similar current. The Mach 15 delivers 15,000 BTU against 13,500 for the Mach 3, about 11 percent more cooling, for roughly $20 to $150 more depending on finish.
Pick the Mach 3 Plus if the RV is under about 30 ft, has one AC, and you camp where summer highs are under 95F. Pick the Mach 15 Plus if the RV is over 30 ft, is ducted, has a dark exterior, sits in full sun in Texas, Arizona or Florida, or if you are replacing one of two units and want them matched. When in doubt, the Mach 15 is the safer buy; the extra current draw is small and the extra cooling matters on the days you notice.
When profile height decides it
Measure from the roof surface to the top of the current shroud, then add the roof height. If that number has to clear a garage door, a carport or a low bridge on your regular route, the Mach 10 (11.8 in) saves 2 in and the Mach 8 Plus (8.25 in) saves 5.5 in over the Mach 3/15. The Mach 8 Plus costs more for the same BTU because it packs the same compressor into a flatter housing. It uses the same ceiling assemblies as the Mach 3 and 15.
Heat from the roof
The Mach 3, 15 and 8 Plus air conditioners take an electric heat strip with a heat-ready ceiling assembly. The Mach 15, Mach 10 and Mach 8 Plus also come as heat pumps, which heat far more efficiently on shore power but shut off near freezing, so keep the furnace. See Heat Strip vs Heat Pump.
Finish and shroud
Most series come in white or black. Mach 3/15 come in a textured shroud (13.8 in tall, 26.1 in wide) or a polished shroud (13.9 in tall, 28.2 in wide). That is why you see two part numbers and two prices for what looks like the same unit: 38203-066 is textured white, 38203-065 is polished white. Match the finish to the other unit on the roof if you have two.
Quiet Series and Roughneck
- Quiet Series adds sound insulation and a redesigned fan. Worth it on a bedroom AC.
- Roughneck is the same unit with a heavy-duty shroud for fleet, construction and hail country. Email us if you need one; we can order it in.
What every series needs
None of these units work on their own. Each needs a ceiling assembly matched to ducted or non-ducted, a control (on the ceiling assembly, on the wall, or in an app) and a new roof gasket. A Kate RV complete kit puts all of it in one order.