Fridge vent covers

I'm trying to source winter vent covers for my Nuevo, both the A/S and Thetford handbooks and web pages are as much use as a chocolate teapot .  Unfortunately my van's in storage so "popping" out to measure the vent size is a 40 mile round trip for me.  Can anyone enlighten me about the vent sizes and/or the most appropriate vent covers to fit?

To save me posting in the grumpy old men thread, why the heck (since these things appear to be a requirement for washing, winter operation and storage) are the not supplied as standard?  It's like being sold a pair of shoes and being told the laces are an optional extra

Can't believe such a new van hasn't got any!

This may help? https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t15736-fridge-vent-covers-for-2013-broadway?highlight=thetford+fridgevent+covers

Me too Rose, I'm starting to think I've bought a van in instalments 

PLOUGHLIN wrote:This may help? https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t15736-fridge-vent-covers-for-2013-broadway?highlight=thetford+fridgevent+covers

Thanks PLOUGHLIN, I looked at that thread earlier. There appear to be two different types of cover, one that goes under the vent and one that goes over and they are two different sizes. I took measurements of many different bits of the van, just in case, the vents weren't one of them.

Seems to be only one size (large and small) for Thetford Vents, assuming AS didn't fit Dometic vent frame.

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/home/fridge_vents/thetford_vents_for_caravans_and_motorhomes.aspx

If your fridge is the same as ours it is the N3097 in our 2013 Broadway then it is the small one part No 62445525 if you want the grey one.

I've also ordered an extra door bin and shelf to better use the space in the fridge.

Mike

Mike, thanks. I think it's an N3112 in the Nuevo but the vents will probably be the same.........won't they 
Since I'm in the business of presuming, do I need two covers (and if so, why aren't they sold in pairs )

Hi Askit

At risk of someone sending for the men in white coats () I'll ask the question anyway!

Are you sure you haven't got the covers already fitted?

Our Nuevo EK is also a 2015 model so it should be identical to yours, and it isn't readily apparent that the covers are fitted. At a glance the Thetford fridge vents look just the same with or without the covers fitted. On the Dometic fridge vents it's obvious if covers are fitted as they are quite different to the open vents, but you could easily be fooled with the Thetford. (No - I'm admitting nothing!!!)

The Thetford covers fit closely over the grilles on the vents and have exactly the same profile (and colour) the only difference being the absence of vent slots. The slots, or lack of them, are not visible unless you bend down and look up from below. The winter covers have only one slot at the top - the rest is solid.

Hope this helps. If I were you I wouldn't rush into buying covers until I had double checked. They are quite expensive (as already mentioned) and there's time enough for fitting them yet anyway.

Dave


P.S. On ours, both top and bottom covers are identical, and they have the number 620508 stamped on the inside surface.

Yes, the covers are expensive for what they are, a Dutch motorhomer I parked next to at an aire in Italy was telling me that his had been stolen a few days before. Shame, it could only have been a fellow motorhomer.
Al.

I think the vents are standard, but have not made a study of it! Yes you do need two.

As Dave says it may be better to wait till you can measure them yourself, your fridge will work without them, in fact many people do not use them. I like them to keep the water out when I'm washing the van with a hose pipe.


If you want the grey ones they are about £18 on eBay cheaper if your happy with white or cream. I've ordered mine from http://www.leisurespares.co.uk/ for about the same price as I ordered the other parts I wanted.


Are they only supplied if you have your van fitted with the winter pack?

Al, I think it must have been another motorhomer as it is not obvious they can be taken off that easy. May it is possible to put a cable tie on just to deter a casual thief (without a knife to cut it).


Mike

Dometic supply the covers on new vans,
Thetford dont.

JDS wrote:Dometic supply the covers on new vans,
Thetford dont.

Thetford did on our van - but we did have the winter pack option, so Mike187 may have a point.

They came fitted, hence my previous post as they were not at all obvious at first glance.

Dave

I had a 2012 Broadway (without winter pack) was told by Thetford that AS had not requested them. Now have a Bourton (with winter pack) with a Dometic fridge and they came as standard.

Dave

Gromit wrote:Hi Askit

At risk of someone sending for the men in white coats () I'll ask the question anyway!

Are you sure you haven't got the covers already fitted?

Our Nuevo EK is also a 2015 model so it should be identical to yours, and it isn't readily apparent that the covers are fitted. At a glance the Thetford fridge vents look just the same with or without the covers fitted. On the Dometic fridge vents it's obvious if covers are fitted as they are quite different to the open vents, but you could easily be fooled with the Thetford. (No - I'm admitting nothing!!!)

The Thetford covers fit closely over the grilles on the vents and have exactly the same profile (and colour) the only difference being the absence of vent slots. The slots, or lack of them, are not visible unless you bend down and look up from below. The winter covers have only one slot at the top - the rest is solid.

Hope this helps. If I were you I wouldn't rush into buying covers until I had double checked. They are quite expensive (as already mentioned) and there's time enough for fitting them yet anyway.

Dave


P.S. On ours, both top and bottom covers are identical, and they have the number 620508 stamped on the inside surface.

Too late with the "men in white coats" bit, although the medication helps

I have the vent covers fitted but they are the open type rather than those with just the winter type with just the top one open. I also have the winter pack (allegedly) with a heated tank blanket, blinds, etc. We are already getting frost up here and I was trying to take on board the advice elsewhere about when to fit the winter vent covers to ensure the best operation of the fridge. We're off on Sunday for a week or so, I may just risk doing without until further investigation has taken place.  I've emailed the techies at A/S so some enlightenment may be forthcoming    Thanks to all for the replies 

Askit wrote:We're off on Sunday for a week or so, I may just risk doing without until further investigation has taken place.  I've emailed the techies at A/S so some enlightenment may be forthcoming    Thanks to all for the replies 

Hi again

Not a big problem Askit. The main purpose of the winter covers is to prevent the fridge from working too efficiently in cold weather, and freezing up. If you don't have covers fitted, just turn it down a bit, and put a little fridge thermometer inside to check on it - if you can be bothered!

Rather than email Willersey you would do better to phone the Service Centre 01386 853511 and ask for Mark or Pat. Mark is particularly sharp, and will be able to advise you at once.

http://www.auto-sleepers.com/servicing/

It sounds to me like either A/S or your dealer failed to leave the covers in your van, fitted or loose in a plastic bag.

Dave

You might find this useful

http://www.downshirecaravans.com/media/uploads/Thetford%20Fridge%20Vents.pdf

Mike

rose49f wrote:Can't believe such a new van hasn't got any!

They don't come as standard as you don't really need them, they are only intended for winter use or when washing the vehicle... but having had to buy a set (for about £30!!) for our Broadway when we bought it... I kinda know where you're coming from 

BTW Askit... 

just give Alan at Auto-Sleeper parts a bell he'll know straight away & for some items (not all) their prices are quite reasonable 

CC

Gromit wrote:

It sounds to me like either A/S or your dealer failed to leave the covers in your van, fitted or loose in a plastic bag.

Dave

Dave: did yours come with 2 sets of covers (winter & summer)? Mine didn't.
Cymro

Didn't get any with ours either and it has the winter pack   so I made some.

My van is older than winter packs but I made my own - just cut 2 rectangles out of some old sheet flooring vinyl. I put them between the summer vent and the inner mesh screen. Their height is such that they can be positioned to leave the top slot open for winter use or, with care, to cover all the slots for winter layup. Works well and takes up no storage space.

A New 2016 Broadway EB at the NEC show yesterday had grey vent covers on the the vents, so perhaps they are now standard.

Also as well as a new gas strut on a new door and the addition of a sliding flyscreen on the door, both the fresh and waste water outside drain taps now have attached, small matching colour caps to cover the ends, presumably to prevent road grit getting in (from another thread, I think I remember Mark at AS suggesting corks to someone!).

I am digressing a bit, but l am sure these are also interesting observations.

Pete

Grey cover does not mean winter cover but SLIDING FLY SCREEN? That's what many of us have wanted for a long time. I wonder if we can retrofit and what is the cost?

inspiredron wrote:Grey cover does not mean winter cover but SLIDING FLY SCREEN? That's what many of us have wanted for a long time. I wonder if we can retrofit and what is the cost?

I don't understand what you mean here Ron. Can you explain a bit further please? I'm confused!


Cymro - You said, "Dave: did yours come with 2 sets of covers (winter & summer)? Mine didn't."

I wouldn't describe them as two sets of covers. The "standard" covers remain in place permanently and have ventilation slots over the whole surface area. The winter covers are a bit smaller and clip onto and over the permanent ones, but have only a single ventilation slot at the top.

That's why I suggested that Askit might want to look closely before buying new winter covers. The winter covers fit so snugly onto the permanent covers (and have exactly the same profile) that you wouldn't notice they were there at a glance.

Hope this helps

Dave

Gromit wrote:

inspiredron wrote:Grey cover does not mean winter cover but SLIDING FLY SCREEN? That's what many of us have wanted for a long time. I wonder if we can retrofit and what is the cost?

I don't understand what you mean here Ron. Can you explain a bit further please? I'm confused!


Cymro - You said, "Dave: did yours come with 2 sets of covers (winter & summer)? Mine didn't."

I wouldn't describe them as two sets of covers. The "standard" covers remain in place permanently and have ventilation slots over the whole surface area. The winter covers are a bit smaller and clip onto and over the permanent ones, but have only a single ventilation slot at the top.

That's why I suggested that Askit might want to look closely before buying new winter covers. The winter covers fit so snugly onto the permanent covers (and have exactly the same profile) that you wouldn't notice they were there at a glance.

Hope this helps

Dave

OK - I was confused on this. I had the impression that the Thetford Winter covers were an entirely separate vent with just a single vent slot as in this link:
http://www.waudbys.co.uk/products/details/17413.html?adid=10735&aditem=17415&dyadid=11112
It appears from what you are saying that there is now a supplementary cover which I was unaware of.  That is why I made my comment that colour of vent was no guide. I think that AS have been using grey (standard) covers for some time now to match the other grey decor.

Here is a good illustration of home made covers
https://www.google.com/search?q=thetford+winter+cover&tbm=isch&imgil=TSJmE-uToSVghM%253A%253B47YTMxli4ToJ3M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.leisurespares.co.uk%25252Fstock%25252FThetford%25252FThetford-fridge-vents%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=TSJmE-uToSVghM%253A%252C47YTMxli4ToJ3M%252C_&biw=1920&bih=969&usg=__HxfCNx2IsxdFOWYu1oeVZJ3Vk6o%3D&ved=0CFcQyjdqFQoTCPLfi8mMxMgCFcR-GgodDdELHA&ei=FGkfVvKFFsT9aY2ir-AB#imgrc=yseTOHiHAgUifM%3A&usg=__HxfCNx2IsxdFOWYu1oeVZJ3Vk6o%3D
but I would be a bit concerned at the lack of gap at the right hand side of the upper vent for flue gases and would extend the top slot to the right hand end.  I am not sure that the bottom slot is needed as the lower vent fulfils that need.