Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Additions & Improvements
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-24-2021, 04:50 PM   #1
Matrap27
Established Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Oblong
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #18094
Upgrade to the vent under the steps

My son in law and I designed and built these closeable vent so the return air vents can be closed when the furnace isn't needed.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2483.jpg
Views:	130
Size:	135.8 KB
ID:	9242   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2484.jpg
Views:	128
Size:	158.1 KB
ID:	9243  
 
__________________
Matrap27
2019 381TH
2019 Silverado
Matrap27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2021, 06:03 PM   #2
Jeff n Susan
Montana Fan
 
Jeff n Susan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Hilliards
Posts: 237
M.O.C. #25636
Looks good
__________________
2020 MHC 330RL
2021 F350 DRW 6.7 Powerstroke
Retired and Rollin'!
Jeff n Susan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2021, 10:18 PM   #3
prndl
Montana Master
 
prndl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 949
M.O.C. #19630
Did you remove the old slotted opening. I believe that the wood slats were structural in supporting the stairs.
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
prndl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2021, 07:27 AM   #4
Theunz
Montana Master
 
Theunz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 772
M.O.C. #18384
Nice work and a great idea!
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
Theunz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2021, 08:08 AM   #5
Matrap27
Established Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Oblong
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #18094
Don't know about yours but mine had a vertical support in the center of the step already, plus that's the reason I ran the slots vertical for more support.
__________________
Matrap27
2019 381TH
2019 Silverado
Matrap27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2021, 01:56 PM   #6
Twtudor
Established Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Brewster
Posts: 10
M.O.C. #25333
What did you make them out of? Looks good!
Twtudor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 09:35 AM   #7
JAWs
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Ft. Worth
Posts: 60
M.O.C. #21771
How much to make me one?
JAWs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 09:45 AM   #8
Bad Moon
Montana Fan
 
Bad Moon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
Looks a lot better than my foamboard "solution".
__________________
2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
Bad Moon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 11:36 AM   #9
DutchmenSport
Montana Master
 
DutchmenSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,544
M.O.C. #22835
That looks really great!

After 2 years of use, especially in cold weather, I realized how much cold air blows through those vents, and how much the furnace has to run to heat the underbelly.

Last Fall, I took the time to crawl under the camper and sealed up the chloroplast with a few extra screws and LOTS of foamy "Stuff" and calking. Sealing up all those open edges on the chloroplast made all the difference in the world. No more cold air blowing through, and the furnace doesn't run as long as it use to between cycles. It was amazing.

This year, when warm weather hit, I was amazed at how much less the air conditioner has to run. Well, it still runs, but it's actually cold inside the camper. I never realized in a zillion years how much air passes through that enclosed area behind the pass through and under the floor and how shoddy that chloroplast is installed.

Blocking off the vent completely would really make a difference in hot weather. And your design looks really nice.

Now, take the time to crawl under your camper and seal up all the edges on the chloroplast and you'll not have any drafts anywhere.

Looks real nice. Real nice!
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
DutchmenSport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 11:44 AM   #10
Matrap27
Established Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Oblong
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #18094
JAWs
Here is my son in law contact info https://www.facebook.com/TrimmedOutWoodworking
__________________
Matrap27
2019 381TH
2019 Silverado
Matrap27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2021, 12:29 PM   #11
JAWs
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Ft. Worth
Posts: 60
M.O.C. #21771
Thank you!
JAWs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2021, 10:23 PM   #12
kowbra
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Battleford
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #26690
Quote:
Originally Posted by DutchmenSport View Post
That looks really great!

After 2 years of use, especially in cold weather, I realized how much cold air blows through those vents, and how much the furnace has to run to heat the underbelly.

Last Fall, I took the time to crawl under the camper and sealed up the chloroplast with a few extra screws and LOTS of foamy "Stuff" and calking. Sealing up all those open edges on the chloroplast made all the difference in the world. No more cold air blowing through, and the furnace doesn't run as long as it use to between cycles. It was amazing.

This year, when warm weather hit, I was amazed at how much less the air conditioner has to run. Well, it still runs, but it's actually cold inside the camper. I never realized in a zillion years how much air passes through that enclosed area behind the pass through and under the floor and how shoddy that chloroplast is installed.

Blocking off the vent completely would really make a difference in hot weather. And your design looks really nice.

Now, take the time to crawl under your camper and seal up all the edges on the chloroplast and you'll not have any drafts anywhere.

Looks real nice. Real nice!

Thanks for the info!
Just so I'm clear - you caulked the edges of the coroplast and used foam for any openings? And, where did you find you needed extra screws (and what type)?


Thanks in advance,
Brad
__________________
2021 Montana 3790RD, Legacy, Super Solar Flex
2020 RAM 3500 Limited, HO
kowbra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2021, 10:24 PM   #13
kowbra
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Battleford
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #26690
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matrap27 View Post
JAWs
Here is my son in law contact info https://www.facebook.com/TrimmedOutWoodworking

Thanks for the thread and the link; this looks like a really good solution!


Brad
__________________
2021 Montana 3790RD, Legacy, Super Solar Flex
2020 RAM 3500 Limited, HO
kowbra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2021, 06:11 AM   #14
Pugtracker
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livingston
Posts: 350
M.O.C. #12009
What about the heating floor vents, when the AC IS ON, a direct line to the underneath to the furnace?
I bought closable vents at Lowe's work great!
I put thin card board behind the stair vents in summer. I have felt that the furnace would not lack without the vents. If someone can tell me otherwise I'm open to hear why they are so important as airtight we are far from. 😂

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Accord-Vent...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
__________________
2014 3850FL
2008 F350 SRW
David and Liz
Pugtracker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2021, 09:58 AM   #15
Bad Moon
Montana Fan
 
Bad Moon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pugtracker View Post
What about the heating floor vents, when the AC IS ON, a direct line to the underneath to the furnace?
I bought closable vents at Lowe's work great!
I put thin card board behind the stair vents in summer. I have felt that the furnace would not lack without the vents. If someone can tell me otherwise I'm open to hear why they are so important as airtight we are far from. 😂

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Accord-Vent...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
The furnace needs those vents for return air. By blocking them off entirely, the furnace has to try and suck air from all those gaps and holes we try and fill in. I cover the vents in the summer, and in the winter when I am using only electric heat. When I use the furnace, I leave the lower of the two vents covered, and open the upper one.
__________________
2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
Bad Moon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2021, 10:11 AM   #16
Carl n Susan
Site Team
 
Carl n Susan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,324
M.O.C. #4831
There are a lot of previous discussions on the vents and their relationship to the heater. Do a Search on "stair vent" (or variations) and you will find them.
__________________
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

Carl n Susan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2021, 06:11 PM   #17
M&M
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Gulfport
Posts: 105
M.O.C. #27628
Upgraded the vents with a set from Trimmed Out Woodworking. Pleased with the result. While I was at it, I added foam insulation wrapped in foil tape between all the stair supports. HD matched color of the original so all blends in nicely. No longer dumping heat from the basement into the hall.

This project led me to a couple of other rabbit holes.
1) Vacuum hose was 10' long with a couple of loops in the basement. It is likely over time that this would be the source of it being stopped up. Only needed 5' for a direct path from stairs to vacuum in the basement so I cut it shorter.

2) The wires to the vacuum was supporting two LARGE wires going to solar cabinet. You've got to love the lack of effort to run wires with some thought in the basement. Had to cut the vacuum wires and reconnect to resolve that issue. Zip tied the large wires and everything else on that end of the storage area. Nothing is now laying on the solar cabinet.

Click image for larger version

Name:	Stair Vent Mod.jpg
Views:	435
Size:	137.8 KB
ID:	9889
__________________
2021 Montana 3231CK, Legacy, Super Solar Flex, Dual Pane Windows, Slide-out Awnings
2021 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 Limited 6.7 HO DRW, Trailer TPMS, B&W Companion Hitch
M&M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2021, 12:11 PM   #18
RipNC
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Aurora
Posts: 429
M.O.C. #26926
Looks great. What finish and/or custon mix did you get from HD? I understand we'd have to cut the vac holes on site and drill mounting holes as well.
__________________
Rip & Beth
2021 3121RL Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde IS & pin box
2020 F350 PSD CCLB SRW
RipNC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2021, 05:37 PM   #19
M&M
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Gulfport
Posts: 105
M.O.C. #27628
We did a color match with a piece of the trim. I’ll be glad to share the formula if you want to message me or I can post. I have a pic of the can top for my files.

I used a 2 3/4” hole saw on the top and a jig saw on the bottom. On the four corner screws I used a counter sink drill. I had the vent made a little wider as I found the side pieces were too close and were split. I couldn’t go much wider though because of the curve in the stairs.

While I was at it I removed the four side pieces and glued the splits. When I installed the vent, I predrilled the holes to prevent splitting them again.
__________________
2021 Montana 3231CK, Legacy, Super Solar Flex, Dual Pane Windows, Slide-out Awnings
2021 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 Limited 6.7 HO DRW, Trailer TPMS, B&W Companion Hitch
M&M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2021, 06:51 PM   #20
jjwhite368
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: STUARTS DRAFT, VA
Posts: 140
M.O.C. #27830
Quote:
Originally Posted by M&M View Post
Upgraded the vents with a set from Trimmed Out Woodworking. Pleased with the result. While I was at it, I added foam insulation wrapped in foil tape between all the stair supports. HD matched color of the original so all blends in nicely. No longer dumping heat from the basement into the hall.

This project led me to a couple of other rabbit holes.
1) Vacuum hose was 10' long with a couple of loops in the basement. It is likely over time that this would be the source of it being stopped up. Only needed 5' for a direct path from stairs to vacuum in the basement so I cut it shorter.

2) The wires to the vacuum was supporting two LARGE wires going to solar cabinet. You've got to love the lack of effort to run wires with some thought in the basement. Had to cut the vacuum wires and reconnect to resolve that issue. Zip tied the large wires and everything else on that end of the storage area. Nothing is now laying on the solar cabinet.

Attachment 9889
I have the same color interior. What stain did you use?
__________________
John and Carrie
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2020 F-250 Lariat 4X4 Short 3.55
jjwhite368 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:57 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.