Outside Stove Vents on our RV's - Do you know this??

[citgodan]

I always open upon arrival at the CG and close when leaving.

On my first TT, I was on a 2 lane road, and looked back just as the flapper was blown from my TT. I couldn't figure out what that plastic piece was until I got home. Never forgot since that day to close while in motion.

[Florida Ranger]

My 2018 Greyhawk 31fs has one ,,,,I am 6ft tall and I use a broom handle to unlock it and to close it shut and lock it ..Just be patient until you have done it a few times ,,it’s easy to do it……

[gymracer]

I had motorhomes for years and didn't know it until about a month ago. Was replacing the outside vent and saw the locks.

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

We use ours for cooking prn and try to remember to close it upon breaking camp - it's on the check-off list if we bother to review it.

Used with the hood exhaust fan, the vent makes a very significant difference in heat, odor, and steam/smoke removal.

In the past 55K miles or so one of the two clips broke, but it stays shut well enough with one clip. I'm shorter than I used to be but can still reach it easily from earth.

[Stever71]

Was always told to keep it closed when not using. Keeps bugs and mice out

[deano]

We remember to open if closed when we use the hood vent.and most times don't close. Don't have issues traveling with it open l close it during off season. We do wish our hood vent had a hi or low speed on it . It's just go'in full throttle

[garywilson]

Stove/range exhaust door opener/closer...high tech tool you may already have on hand.

1. Manual awning rod
2. Fly swatter
3. Fishing rod
4. Bamboo back scratcher
5. Step-stool
6. Rifle bore cleaning rod.

[deano]

All the above

[RedHorse1]

Ours is high enough to be out of reach but my folding step stool puts it within reach. My issue with it is getting it to latch/unlatch is difficult, can’t get it with just my fingers. I’ve found my old flat blade screwdriver will do the job. It’s been like that since new (it’s a 2013) and figured it’d get easier as it aged but nope. Maybe cause I’m aging faster than it is.

[Grumpaw374]

If the tab/tabs are broken it's not a big deal. Happened on our previous rig. Used some foam pipe wrap I had on hand...just cut a piece off and stuffed it up into the vent. Kept the vent flap from opening for 20,000 miles of road travel.
Used the same piece of foam for 4 years...never came out or loose unless I removed it.
Piece of pool noodle would probably work.

[crk112]

Originally Posted by Stever71

Was always told to keep it closed when not using. Keeps bugs and mice out

I'm surprised this has only been brought up once on this entire thread.

This is why I keep it shut when not in use. Not sure about anyone else's, but my range vent does not have a screen. It's the perfect place for insects to fly in and start a nest (including wasps!)

[SmokerBill]

Even though mine is low enough to easily reach, I always thought there should be some kind of interior control to latch it shut.

Something like using a choke-type pull knob that pulls a string that's connected to the flapper door.

Pull it out, the door stays closed. Push it in, the string loosens and the door can open when the fan turns on.

I replaced mine several years ago when both of the plastic latches became so loose and sloppy they wouldn't stay in place.

[Grumpaw374]

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

Even though mine is low enough to easily reach, I always thought there should be some kind of interior control to latch it shut.

Something like using a choke-type pull knob that pulls a string that's connected to the flapper door.

Pull it out, the door stays closed. Push it in, the string loosens and the door can open when the fan turns on.

I replaced mine several years ago when both of the plastic latches became so loose and sloppy they wouldn't stay in place.

Common sense to do it that way....but it would probably cost Jayco a massive amount of $$$ to add it...maybe $2.00, and that would cut deeply into their profit margin.
Then they would have to provide extra training to their outstanding craftsman and assemblers...even then they would probably cross thread screws, overtighten screws, mis-drill holes....
Then, Jayco would have to hold repair clinics for their dealers service departments so their qualified tech's could repair the factory screw-ups....with at least a 3 month wait.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Stever71

Was always told to keep it closed when not using. Keeps bugs and mice out

Originally Posted by crk112

I'm surprised this has only been brought up once on this entire thread.

This is why I keep it shut when not in use. Not sure about anyone else's, but my range vent does not have a screen. It's the perfect place for insects to fly in and start a nest (including wasps!)

When not in use but un latched. Mine lays flat against the frame. No bugs are going to get in.

[Jamnpete]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Ours is high enough to be out of reach but my folding step stool puts it within reach. My issue with it is getting it to latch/unlatch is difficult, can’t get it with just my fingers. I’ve found my old flat blade screwdriver will do the job. It’s been like that since new (it’s a 2013) and figured it’d get easier as it aged but nope. Maybe cause I’m aging faster than it is.

Where do you put that screwdriver? Opened mine when it was new, 2015 Greyhawk 29MV, closed it due to flapping while driving, haven't been able to get it open since!

[JohnK]

Reach it with BBQ tongs

Regards,

John

[spark of insanity]

I have known about ours for years. But only have used it a few times. Otherwise its always closed.

[jetlag]

Talked to a friend with a similar camper yesterday. Ours has a plastic covering, open at the bottom, and it doesn't move. Inside there is a flap that opens and closes automatically with the microwave fan. He says it has a spring to otherwise keep it shut.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by jetlag

Talked to a friend with a similar camper yesterday. Ours has a plastic covering, open at the bottom, and it doesn't move. Inside there is a flap that opens and closes automatically with the microwave fan. He says it has a spring to otherwise keep it shut.

That's nice. I have never had one that was activated by the microwave fan. Mine is opened by the air from the stove vent fan and the microwave vent just blows inside the camper.

Could be a upgrade on the Pinnacle?

[TWP723]

Insects maybe, mice? No way...not in mine. It's over 7ft off the ground.