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Old 01-28-2020, 02:59 PM   #1
Teacher438
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Dometic AC cover shrinking?

We purchased a new 2019 Montana HC 373RD in July. After taking a few trips we took it in to have some warranty work done at the beginning of November. While it was there we were informed that there were several rips in the rubber roof. Long story short we approved the replacement of the roof and finally got our unit back about a week ago.

We returned it for several reasons. One of our concerns was the now present duct tape on the rear air conditioner cover. The tech at the dealership told us the Dometic A/C cover is poorly designed and shrinks in the Florida heat. He added the tape to keep water from leaking in. Anyone else had this problem or heard of it?
 
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Old 01-28-2020, 03:26 PM   #2
Ram Montana High Country
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Teacher438 View Post
We purchased a new 2019 Montana HC 373RD in July. After taking a few trips we took it in to have some warranty work done at the beginning of November. While it was there we were informed that there were several rips in the rubber roof. Long story short we approved the replacement of the roof and finally got our unit back about a week ago.

We returned it for several reasons. One of our concerns was the now present duct tape on the rear air conditioner cover. The tech at the dealership told us the Dometic A/C cover is poorly designed and shrinks in the Florida heat. He added the tape to keep water from leaking in. Anyone else had this problem or heard of it?
Hopefully Montana Tech Department can provide insight on this issue - it might be worth a call to Keystone Customer Service - something sounds fishy. Please ask they what the dealer reported for your unit on the repairs they did.
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Old 01-28-2020, 05:24 PM   #3
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I'd go directly to Dometic and see what they say. Mine seems to be warping a little in the NM and KS sun.
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Old 01-28-2020, 05:29 PM   #4
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Shrinks in the heat? Oh boy...that’s a new one.
I think if the dometic A/C covers shrink in high heat it would be well known here.
Back in the 90s when I had pop ups it was well known that the Coleman shrouds would break at the 4 bolts on top due to air flow making them bounce and fly off. A friend in Dallas designed and sold a set of fabricated steel bars to keep the in place. They worked great.
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Old 01-28-2020, 05:46 PM   #5
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How and where can this be inspected easily? We just pulled the plug on a 373RD and having a third AC installed … want to keep an eye on it
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Old 01-29-2020, 05:02 AM   #6
1retired06
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Been snowbirding in Florida for 14 seasons. Never heard of anyone being concerned about AC cover shrinkage.
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Old 01-29-2020, 05:33 AM   #7
Dave W
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Do they shrink - none that we have had. Do they warp - yes. My guess is that the tech fumbled or dropped it when stripping the roof for repair. These covers get real brittle in the sun, especially if it's a black one as we had and will crack easily. I would put the repair shop manager/tech on notice that he is full os something smelly. But since you can't prove he did anything wrong, buy a new one. There is at least one aftermarket brand that might be better.
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Old 01-29-2020, 06:52 AM   #8
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Ours have not been shrinking, but as DQDick said they are warping. If you have to remove the cover they are a pain to reinstall.
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Old 01-29-2020, 10:49 AM   #9
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On our 2020 3701LK. one of the shop techs told me that rhe covers do not fit togeather well and water can seep in during rain storms. the fix is tapeing the covers where they do not fit tight. we use underbelly tape strips and have had no issue. true the covers are flimsey and they need to upgrade them.
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Old 02-05-2020, 04:30 PM   #10
sciortinosr
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A/c cover buckling

I have a 2019 381th already replaced the main heat pump about two months ago and the bottom cover warped and is leaking thru the return vent. Taped it up, helps some.
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