Exhaust fan humiliation

[Billhorn]

After weekending for three years in our 2003 Montana 3670RL I have been telling my wife how important it was to run the exhaust fan over the stove while cooking. One day she asked me what the vent on the side of "Monty" was for. I explained confidently it was an important vent that allows the exhaust fan to blow outside. She asked how is that possible whith the two clips holding it shut. "WHAT?" Can I be the only one that didn't realize the flapper can be and always has been clipped shut.

[DutchmenSport]

Yep, those clips will "get-ya!" every time!

Our Montana is the first one we've ever owned that did not have a stove exhaust vented outside. We never used those exhaust fans though. (too noisy). In our Montana, the fan is built into the microwave above it. It's designed to pull the air up from the stove top, through a cheezy filter and then blow the air back into the cabin through vents on top of the microwave.

We have found this to be totally worthless. Plus, it's extremely noisy too. We just open the exhaust vent in the ceiling and turn on that fan. Never had any issues. A little soap on a sponge and wipe everything down when done cooking. We've always done that anyway.

Opening a door or a window to keep air circulating will do better than running those cheezy, noisy hood kitchen stove top exhaust fans.

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by Billhorn

....... "WHAT?" Can I be the only one that didn't realize the flapper can be and always has been clipped shut.

I found those early on. But that doesn't mean I didn't sometimes forget to release them after setting up.

[twindman]

The clips are too difficult to reach so I never used the vent. I didn't want to drive down the road with them open and as I overnight about 40 times during the summer, just too much work.

[Mikendebbie]

My vent is too high also. I just leave it open most of the time.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

My vent is too high also. I just leave it open most of the time.

Now you're just showing off

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

I found those early on. But that doesn't mean I didn't sometimes forget to release them after setting up.

Same

[RMcNeal]

Since it's plastic, they can easily be melted if you run the fan while locked closed.
Mine is very high and requires a ladder to open as well. I tried the whole, leave it open all the time thing. Had wind/rain come inside the rig when blowing from that side. Also had water intrusion from a pressure washer the idiots at our dealership used to wash the rig after service once. I was mopping up water for a while after that one. Not sure why they felt is necessary to pressure wash the vent so much.

[VagabondLove]

I always thought the clips were meant to be broken off…what use is a vent that doesn’t open? I clipped mine on day 2.

[Rondo]

I've replaced the vent twice now because of yellowing and the use of recycled plastic to make them. Next one will be a stainless steel one! LOL Anyway, I have one of the awning strap rods that came with the older non-powered awning. You had to hook the strap on the middle of the awning to pull it down to open it. Well anyway, I use it to turn the clips that hold the vent cover closed. Sometimes I forget to turn the clips again but normally does not matter and the flapper bounces going down the road. One can also purchase an extendable rod from your dealer or on Amazon, that I also have, to open and close the vent tabs.

[Carl n Susan]

Two things.
1. I never latch the clips on the vent. It is just fine after 11 years of driving and sitting around. Once in a while I will hear it flap if the wind is heavy and from just the right direction.

2. When the vent starts to turn yellow (mine is painted so not a problem for me) simply mask it off and paint it with a rattle-can spray paint. I believe "Appliance White" is a perfect match.

[artfuldodger]

Too bad

[rohrmann]

I turned those little tabs open when we bought the rig and haven't closed them ever. If those tabs were closed and the exhaust fan were operated, there wouldn't be enough air flow to move enough hot air to melt anything, and if the air was that hot, I would be more worried about burning the rig to the ground.