Closing the stove vent when traveling

EV4D · 06-20-2016, 10:37 AM

So that little tiny flapper cover on the outside of your trailer for the stove vent. The dealer tells me to close it whenever traveling but its so darn hard to open and close I would prefer to just leave it open. Since it is completely surrounded with a vent shield (the only opening is straight down) I am assuming this would be OK but need to hear from the experts first.

North of 49° · 06-20-2016, 10:49 AM

Ours opens easily on one side, but really stiff on the other. It does get easier over time, though. What I do is open the easy side, and then run my fingers under it to help pry the other side open. It's not perfect, but it does work.

tularockstar · 06-20-2016, 10:57 AM

It's ideal to keep it close during tow. Although you do have a cover over it, during the tow, the Venturi effect will 'suck' the flapper door open, thus allow debris and bugs to enter. The trick we'd found when opening and closing this flapper is to push up under each tab, then push in or pull out.

Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by EV4D

So that little tiny flapper cover on the outside of your trailer for the stove vent. The dealer tells me to close it whenever traveling but its so darn hard to open and close I would prefer to just leave it open. Since it is completely surrounded with a vent shield (the only opening is straight down) I am assuming this would be OK but need to hear from the experts first.

mike837go · 06-20-2016, 11:01 AM

Unsnapped it when we got it home from the dealer. Hasn't been re-latched since!

schiguy · 06-20-2016, 11:26 AM

My worry would be bugs and critters entering while the vent is not in use. I understand the vent cover keeps out the rain, but creepy crawlers can still find their way in an open vent.

mike837go · 06-20-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schiguy

My worry would be bugs and critters entering while the vent is not in use. I understand the vent cover keeps out the rain, but creepy crawlers can still find their way in an open vent.

There's a screen under the vent flap. And gravity tends to keep the flap shut.

You want creepy crawly and flying insect issues? Try the small thermal exhaust ports on the water heater and furnace. Them bugs'll force their way in there.

What about the lovely weather-protected space (open at the bottom) that protects the propane tanks.

Camper_bob · 06-20-2016, 12:34 PM

I generally leave mine open during the season and close it during winterization. Over 2 years of ownership and not one single problem. No critters, no bugs, nothing.

The ONLY problem is when it gets windy outside and the flap begins flapping around. That gets annoying, and I'll snap it closed if that happens.

**Snake Plissken** · 06-20-2016, 03:57 PM

Never used my stove

TWP723 · 06-20-2016, 04:04 PM

Hammer. Use a hammer.

Pmp1086 · 06-20-2016, 04:07 PM

Had the same problem. When I finally got it open I put dielectric grease in the grooves which seems to have helped. Usually keep it closed unless I am using the stove.

robkelly · 06-20-2016, 05:14 PM

Rarely use the stove so keep the vent closed. The few times I have opened it, found it easiest to push up and out on the tabs

glsimms · 06-20-2016, 07:01 PM

I open ours, especially when the DW cooks breakfast.

Bacon fryin', sausage cooking, cinnamon rolls in the oven.... MMMM GOOD

Camper_bob · 06-21-2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robkelly

Rarely use the stove so keep the vent closed. The few times I have opened it, found it easiest to push up and out on the tabs

+1, up and out makes it relatively easy, and they DO get easier with time and use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glsimms

I open ours, especially when the DW cooks breakfast.

Bacon fryin', sausage cooking, cinnamon rolls in the oven.... MMMM GOOD

OMG, YES! I wanna go camping with you guys!!

Kim Gass · 06-21-2016, 08:18 AM

got much easier with repeated use. The first ten times awful.. the next 40 not a big deal.

mike837go · 06-21-2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glsimms

I open ours, especially when the DW cooks breakfast.
Bacon fryin', sausage cooking, cinnamon rolls in the oven.... MMMM GOOD

Perking coffee is what gets SWMBO moving....

clutch · 06-21-2016, 06:26 PM

With a rear kitchen it can suck in a lot of dust in some areas. On our Jayco the vent is on the side of the trailer so I don't worry about it. On our Sunny Brook the vent is on the rear wall and I always close it because on a gravel road it will suck a lot of dust.

BuddyRay · 06-21-2016, 07:05 PM

You can clip the vent closed?
Wow - learn something new everyday.
Now I wonder if mine's ever been opened - the dealer never mentioned it.

Cosmik Debris · 06-21-2016, 08:02 PM

Have a friend who forgot to relatch hers and it was gone by the time she got home.
We prefer running our ceiling fan instead of struggling with the vent flap.

Jhowemca · 06-21-2016, 08:04 PM

For me part of set up and take down is to open/close the stove vent.

I heard someone say to keep all openings closed while underway. Including the roof vent over the bathroom.
The reason was the inside of the trailer would be pressurized or create negative pressure. This would cause the existing places air can get in or out to become bigger/blown out.
It could possibly cause the roof membrane to become loose from the roof sheathing(flapping around or blown up like a balloon).

I'm not sure any of this happens if you don't keep the vents closed. But it seemed possable so I keep mine shut.

Anyone hear of any actual problems caused by neg/pressure?

Kim Gass · 06-21-2016, 08:07 PM

When you have a little trailer.. the opening of the stove hatch is mandatory

We forgot numerous times. Opening the door is not fun at 28 degrees and window openings don't cut it

And you get to listen to a shreiking alarm even if its just caused by water boiling on the stove

As a matter of fact we open all vents.

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