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03-13-2010, 03:20 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Indian Land
Posts: 1,142
M.O.C. #9808
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Range Vent
Out unit has a convention microwave oven, which includes the exhaust vent for the cooking area. On the outside the vent has a flapper door to keep bug, birds, etc out, and the door has dog ears that hold the flapper shut.
Since it take a step stool to get up to it, do you all leave the door unlatched while traveling or not?
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03-13-2010, 03:29 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Rapid City
Posts: 739
M.O.C. #77
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Luckily, I am 6.3 so I can reach it. I always lock it closed as part of my final walkaround inspection before pulling out. Re-opening the vent is part of my set-up.
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03-13-2010, 03:40 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,323
M.O.C. #4831
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Leaving the door unsecured while traveling will cause you problems. Eventually the door will flap around enough and break off. We employ the Dick Whitfield patented technique of using a clothespin to hold the door open. We only close and latch the door if there are bees or other insects trying to gain access (doesn't happen much out here in the western U.S.).
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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03-13-2010, 04:05 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Weatherford
Posts: 1,383
M.O.C. #9
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I remember someone here making a device to open/close it from inside - maybe a coathanger. Maybe they will be along later. Our previous TT had one with no "dogears" - the air from the exhaust was enough to blow the door open. We rarely use the vent-a-hood, but once Jena was making something on the stove and turned on the vent. All of a sudden there was a LOT of racket and red dirt went everywhere and into the food - dirt dauber stew!!!
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03-13-2010, 04:31 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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I unlatch/latch the vent closed by using a two step foldout stool to reach the dog ears and at only 5'9" that works for me. I don't know why, but sometimes on tiptoes I can reach it and sometimes I can't. If I have levelers on that side I definitely can't reach. I have used hooked end of the awning rod to close and open the dog ears.
In my early RVing days most folks I talked to were pretty adamant that I should latch it closed when not set up for range hood use. I don't remember why and no longer question it, and it's just part of my procedures to open and close when setting up and breaking down.
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03-13-2010, 04:59 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 932
M.O.C. #9053
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My problems with that flap started the first time I opened it. We had some medium rain and water poured in, all over the stove top and down to the floor. I shut and locked it, and have not used the vent since. Any thoughts out there?
__________________
Walt and Carol Ashley, with fond memories of Bailey the Chesapeake! Land O Lakes, FL
2009 Big Sky 365REQ 10th Anniversary Edition
2008 Ford F350 King Ranch Super Duty
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03-13-2010, 06:14 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 214
M.O.C. #7994
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I hook and unhook our flap unless of course I forget which I often do untill I don't or I get told about it. Great to have a reminder. It's now on my pretrip checklist as long as I remember to read it.
Never had bug stew or water come in and we've been in some pretty good rains. Don't ask about the door window though. If water got into the vent then it sounds like the vent cover is not properly sealed and water is getting behind it and into the wall. Don't know why you noticed it only when the flap opened though. Might be worth a good look at the housing seal.
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03-14-2010, 03:50 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Williamston
Posts: 631
M.O.C. #9432
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My solution was to remove the plastic flapper and install a screen. Now it is maintainence free. No opening or closing it required. Bugs or pests can't get in, and we have been in some big rains with no problems.
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03-14-2010, 04:33 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Lakeside
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #7139
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In New Mexico the winds are so blustry, if you forget to lock it down, it makes a awful racket. Not good a night, i'm a light sleeper.
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03-14-2010, 11:55 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Livingston
Posts: 431
M.O.C. #9442
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We open it when we arrive and close it before departure. We like it open for using the stove fan. My DH (who is 6'1") uses a back scratcher to flip the dog ears open and shut.
Sharon
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03-14-2010, 12:12 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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We very seldom open it and if we do, I can reach it to close it...when I remember.
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03-14-2010, 12:46 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Apache Junction
Posts: 1,726
M.O.C. #7487
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I keep waiting for those little arms that hold the damper to disappear. They have come off several times when I open or close it, but they are still there for now.
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03-14-2010, 05:57 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 932
M.O.C. #9053
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No water in the walls, no leaks with the vent door shut and dogged down tight.
__________________
Walt and Carol Ashley, with fond memories of Bailey the Chesapeake! Land O Lakes, FL
2009 Big Sky 365REQ 10th Anniversary Edition
2008 Ford F350 King Ranch Super Duty
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03-15-2010, 12:52 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Omaha
Posts: 2,073
M.O.C. #2780
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I use one of those cheap wood backscratchers to turn those little dog ears. Works great for me
__________________
Paul and Jan Kelpe
2014 Big Sky 3150RL
2015 GMC Denali, Duramax/Allison
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03-17-2010, 06:51 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pagosa Springs
Posts: 3,711
M.O.C. #3120
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03-17-2010, 07:55 PM
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#16
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 37
M.O.C. #7530
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we always lock the flapper down before we leave and unlock it when we set up. The flapper has two purposes, one to keep the bugs out and also to keep drafts from blowing into the coach. Here in So. Utah the wind can get very brisk. If you've got a stiff breeze blowing outside, you can feel it coming in from under the vent hood. Lock it down and no more cold air intrusion, the problem with that is ---you've got to go out in the wind to lock the danged thing down!
I think I saw in another web page that someone had drilled a small hole in the flapper and ran a small chain into the vent area so that he could reach under the vent and pull it to lock the flapper closed from the inside. No need to get a ladder so you can reach the little locks to open or close them. might be worth a try.
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