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roof leak, vent cover gone

My wood laminate floor was buckling at the hall entrance..  next to the kitchen.

I couldn't find water, I suspected the window at first.. I crawled up a 12' ladder and found the vent cover
over the refrigerator missing..  it's about 6" wide and maybe 24" long.. I assume this is there for
when the fridge is running on propane?  It probably flew off when it was towed last month.  The plastic stubs are still there, they broke off from the cap.  :(     
 
 I've got a heavy duty tarp covering it for now and fans blowing.

Is there a reason for this vent other than propane fumes?  Maybe just for heat dissipation?

I've got half a notion to fabricate a cap and close it off.

Thanks

Mark

I am pleased to see a full fiberglass top on the coach, with no seams except for the front and rear end caps.  :) 




1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #1 –
Mark, That opening is there to provide ventilation and air flow for the refrigerator.  Closing it off will not help the reefer run any cooler.  If you are going to replace the reefer with a domestic household type the vent may not be necessary.
Gary B

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #2 –
The plastic pieces on the roof live a hard life.  They become brittle with age, and eventually either fall/blow off, or get replaced.  As Gary said, with original fridge you need to retain the stock venting system for proper operation.  Just replace the cover - no big deal.  On sale now:

Fridge Vent Cover - Camco 42160 - Refrigerator Accessories - Camping World
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
Mark, That opening is there to provide ventilation and air flow for the refrigerator.  Closing it off will not help the reefer run any cooler.  If you are going to replace the reefer with a domestic household type the vent may not be necessary.
Gary B


Hey Gary :)

Why the heck didn't they just make an elevated aluminum cover for it to begin with ::)    There is no reason for plastic that I can see except to cut costs...  the plastic got brittle over the years.
1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
The plastic pieces on the roof live a hard life.  They become brittle with age, and eventually either fall/blow off, or get replaced.  As Gary said, with original fridge you need to retain the stock venting system for proper operation.  Just replace the cover - no big deal.  On sale now:

Fridge Vent Cover - Camco 42160 - Refrigerator Accessories - Camping World


Thanks for the info Chuck and Jeanie...  I am surprised at the price.. very reasonable  :)
1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Mark of Houston –
Why the heck didn't they just make an elevated aluminum cover for it to begin with

People like the roof covers to match the color of the roof, which is usually (in most older RVs) white.  White plastic components are economical to produce, light, durable, and cheap to replace (when necessary).  Metal construction would offer no real advantage in this application.  I have seen aluminum fridge vents for sale, usually for use on metal travel trailers like Airstream and Argosy.  The original white plastic fridge vent cover on our coach was 22 years old when I removed it, and still fully functional.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
People like the roof covers to match the color of the roof, which is usually (in most older RVs) white.  White plastic components are economical to produce, light, durable, and cheap to replace (when necessary).  Metal construction would offer no real advantage in this application.  I have seen aluminum fridge vents for sale, usually for use on metal travel trailers like Airstream and Argosy.  The original white plastic fridge vent cover on our coach was 22 years old when I removed it, and still fully functional.

The metal construction would have offered a real advantage "Huge" advantage  as I wouldn't now be replacing flooring,  having to do cabinet repair, cleaning it all up and attempting to dry it out.
1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #7 –
Mark,

The vent is crucial for drafting/ventilating/cooling the heat from the absorption refrigerator. It is not a good idea to close off the roof vent.

Jim

2002 U320
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Mark of Houston –
The metal construction would have offered a real advantage...

Yes, you are correct...in this particular instance metal would have been better.  The vent must have already been cracked or damaged before you moved the coach out of the storage yard.  They don't just spontaneously self-destruct and fly off the roof.

I have made it a habit to climb to the top of the ladder and do a quick visual check of the roof on our coach before and after every day of driving.  As you have now found out, things DO come off.  Many stories on the Forum of missing A/C covers and vent covers - sometimes only noticed sometime later by accident.  The quicker you discover a problem, the better. 
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #9 –
Quote from Chuck and Jeannie
[I have made it a habit to climb to the top of the ladder and do a quick visual check of the roof on our coach before and after every day of driving]

Maybe in a perfect world... but what about all the old geezers that cant do that... and I'm handicapped at the moment awaiting double hip replacement,  so I cant do it...  I'm 56 years old..  so I'm about a 3/4 geezer ;)

And should that really be necessary anyway..?? Really... ??

 Powder coated white, heavy gauge aluminum, and stainless steel screws/bolts is a no brainer and would be a lifetime vent cover..  no hail storms to worry about, no hitting a bird in transit, no plastic getting brittle....this should be a given considering the caliber of coach Foretravel makes..    Sorry... I'm a little put off right now...  4 fans blowing , an electric heater.. and I still get to contend with the damage when it's dry.................        ^%^#$@@$@!! 

Mark
1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Mark of Houston –
Powder coated white, heavy gauge aluminum...

Here you go!  PPL should be near your location.  3rd item down on the PPL page.  Compliments of a 70 year old Geezer.

RV Refrigerator Roof Vents on Sale - PPL Motor Homes
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #11 –
Not to Hijack, but had my right hip replaced 14 years ago at the age of 48. Was in pain all the time - woke up just turning over in bed at night - pain would be like a knife stuck in my hip with each step - walked like a penguin.

Dr. Burger at Rush in Chicago did surgery, 2.5 " scar - walking day of surgery, out in 23 hours, "no pain, walking normally after 2 weeks - haven't had pain or thought about it sense, except for regularly scheduled check ups

Should have done it sooner
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Here you go!  PPL should be near your location.  3rd item down on the PPL page.  Compliments of a 70 year old Geezer.

RV Refrigerator Roof Vents on Sale - PPL Motor Homes


Oh well, if this doesn't salt the wound...!!!!  And to think it's already out there and reasonably priced  >:(

REFRIGERATOR VENT CAP - METAL - WHITE - 5IN X 24IN...Regularly $34.19  On Sale for Only $23.60
Manufacturer #: V0203-03

Thanks for the info Chuck  :)  I think GeezerVille officially starts at 75,  but I'll have to google that to be sure..  ;)

That reminds me, I need to call someone .. It's Fathers Day


1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
Not to Hijack, but had my right hip replaced 14 years ago at the age of 48. Was in pain all the time - woke up just turning over in bed at night - pain would be like a knife stuck in my hip with each step - walked like a penguin.

Dr. Burger at Rush in Chicago did surgery, 2.5 " scar - walking day of surgery, out in 23 hours, "no pain, walking normally after 2 weeks - haven't had pain or thought about it sense, except for regularly scheduled check ups

Should have done it sooner

WOW..!!!!!    Not a hijack Tim at all,  Thanks for the encouragement... I walk with two canes and cant have the surgery till I drop more weight. :(
1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #14 –
Not the same coach, but here is a link to my installation of the metal fridge roof vent. The base also has to be changed, thus it is a whole different scope of work than just replacing the plastic cover (assuming you can find a plastic cover that matches the existing base mounting scheme). I did some modifications to the vent to make the top of fridge area easily accessible and to add the soloar panel cabling.
Don
Fridge Vent with solar cable provision
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) –
Not the same coach, but here is a link to my installation of the metal fridge roof vent. The base also has to be changed, thus it is a whole different scope of work than just replacing the plastic cover (assuming you can find a plastic cover that matches the existing base mounting scheme). I did some modifications to the vent to make the top of fridge area easily accessible and to add the soloar panel cabling.
Don
Fridge Vent with solar cable provision


Nice Job Don,    that's way more work than I want to get into :) 
1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.
 

Re: roof leak, vent cover gone

Reply #16 –
Another example of the undesirability of laminate flooring.  Full thickness hardwood would have cupped and maybe buckled TEMPORARILY.  When moisture content returns to normal, the floor will flatten out.  If not, it need only be sanded down and refinished.  But, I have seen it sanded prematurely, resulting in high centers after wood fully dried.
When laminate buckles, it stays buckled.  A laminated floor that has had water penetrate joints will always be a rippled floor.
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'