Vent covers

My van will be in secure storage over winter. So no hook up, parked between other vans, outdoors. I’ve read up as much as I can on here about ‘winterisation’ and I think I can do the water drainage, including the water heater.

One thing that I’m still not that sure about are the winter covers for the 2 vents. Firstly, is it good practice to fit them and if so, where’s the best place to purchase them. Do I need to specify the size; if so, I’ll have to start measuring!

The only reason I ask is that I would hate to spend days/weeks searching online, only to read on here that I just need to specify ‘A’ and buy it here at ‘B’.

Many thanks in advance
Sally

Hi, I think it's a good idea to fit fridge vents over the winter period. The type will depend on what make and model your fridge is.

If it is a Dometic (Electrolux) fridge, these should do it [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I bought mine off ebay. Each winter i've used them but must admit i completely forgot to fit them last year. It didn't affect the fridge which still runs perfectly.

Sally - check if your fridge exhaust is built into one of the vents. If it is then you need the ones Peter shows. If, like my Sussex, your exhaust is high up near roof, then you need two of the long ones shown in Peters post.


I passed a white 61 plate Sussex, lady driving, on the A55 Chester bypass about an hour ago, was it you?

Paulmold wrote:Sally - check if your fridge exhaust is built into one of the vents. If it is then you need the ones Peter shows. If, like my Sussex, your exhaust is high up near roof, then you need two of the long ones shown in Peters post.


I passed a white 61 plate Sussex, lady driving, on the A55 Chester bypass about an hour ago, was it you?

It depends how pretty she was 

But no, it wasn’t me unfortunately. I wish it was though, I love my van. If I’ve done it correctly I’ve put a photo on as part of my details. It’s not the best, but it shows the vents.

Sally
X

I can't see a high-up exhaust vent so looks like yours is built into the top vent, so you need 1 short and 1 long cover.
You can see my exhaust vent in the black top stripe, doesn't look on your photo as if you have same. Excuse photo, took it through window with sun straight on it.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Hi Paul - yes, there’s definitely no vent high up, just the 2 lower ones, so I’ll order the ones Peter linked to.  I appreciate you taking and posting the photo. 

Thank you to everyone for your help. The more I visit here the more I learn. Who knew when I first bought the van that I would shortly be stood in the bathroom blowing down the shower pipe!

Bye for now
Sally

Whatever turns you on Sally.

Paulmold wrote:Whatever turns you on Sally.

I’m just hoping that it’s not just a joke that everyone plays on newbie van owners!!!

Sally wrote:

Paulmold wrote:Whatever turns you on Sally.

I’m just hoping that it’s not just a joke that everyone plays on newbie van owners!!!

Couldn't possibly say  

Its also a good idea to fit these covers if you pressure wash the van... prevents water getting in behind the fridge.

Curious to know as I clearly missed the thread - why on earth did someone suggest you blow down your shower pipe?

snow863 wrote:
Curious to know as I clearly missed the thread - why on earth did someone suggest you blow down your shower pipe?

As part of winter drain down. Helps clear water remaining in pipework.

Ahhhh thankyou Paul!
I just lift mine up so its stretched out vertically.. gravity does the job for me.

You can do it that way, but it more fun to tell people to blow down it.

Oops looks like I just "blew" it for you 

I got my winter covers direct from Autosleeper. Search online for for their order form, fill it in and they come back to you with a price and availability. They were cheaper than elsewhere and prompt. I have purchased parts twice now and they have been cheaper.

chalkywhite wrote:I got my winter covers direct from Autosleeper. Search online for for their order form, fill it in and they come back to you with a price and availability. They were cheaper than elsewhere and prompt. I have purchased parts twice now and they have been cheaper.

Already ordered I’m afraid, but bizarrely I never thought of going to Autosleeper.

Sally wrote:Hi Paul - yes, there’s definitely no vent high up, just the 2 lower ones, so I’ll order the ones Peter linked to.  I appreciate you taking and posting the photo. 

Thank you to everyone for your help. The more I visit here the more I learn. Who knew when I first bought the van that I would shortly be stood in the bathroom blowing down the shower pipe!

Bye for now
Sally

Blow jobs must be done naked for maximum effect as it's not unknown to receive a sudden facial. Then upload 'selfies' so we can all see if you are doing it right. 

chalkywhite wrote:I got my winter covers direct from Autosleeper. Search online for for their order form, fill it in and they come back to you with a price and availability. They were cheaper than elsewhere and prompt. I have purchased parts twice now and they have been cheaper.

I'd be surprised if you got a better price than this guy sells at; [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I've bought no end of accessories off him as even with p&p added his prices are lower than what i'd pay at a local dealer. Recently bought an MPK roof vent from him. He's a very helpful guy too and i wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.

Paulmold wrote:

snow863 wrote:
Curious to know as I clearly missed the thread - why on earth did someone suggest you blow down your shower pipe?

As part of winter drain down. Helps clear water remaining in pipe

Well......

I’ve completed the drain down.  I drained the fresh and waste tanks, ran the taps, blew down the pipe (yes, really), left them open, centred between hot and cold. I emptied the hot water boiler as per the instructions. The only thing I’m not sure of is do I leave the hot water boiler drain open or closed over winter.  It’s the little blue thingy that I turned in line and the button popped out. Should I leave it like that until I come to refil in spring. Or should I close it now. Or does it make no difference.

Many thanks
Sally

Leave it open, with a note on the driver's seat/dash that valves and taps open. It can make a real mesh when you fill up in the Spring without closing them. Ask me how I know.

I leave it open for a week to help tank dry but I then close it to keep out insects such as spiders. I also leave a note to remind me the taps are open.

Sally,
I think the boiler drain tap to which you refer is the automatic dump valve. By opening it manually, as you've done, you can drain the contents of the boiler irrespective of outside temperature. If you leave it open, that's fine. It may be wiser to do so because if you leave it closed, and then the temperature drops to the point at which the valve automatically opens, you may have a shock when next filling: you'll remember that you left the valve closed but the automatic valve would have opened and stayed open.  I leave mine open so I know it is open when I next fill. Indeed, I leave a checklist inside, saying "Fresh water tank empty; drain tap closed; boiler empty, auto drain tap open; pipes empty and taps all open; WC cistern empty.... "and so on.

Of course I may be wrong about saying that the auto valve will open when it gets cold enough albeit that there's no water in the system.  But better safe...

Cymro
  PS - the posts from Peter and Paul were added whilst I was typing.

Just to add that my Sussex has manual drain valve not an auto-dump.