3-Way Fridge Winter Vents

Hello all,

I am new to owning a camper van and am a bit unsure as to what the purpose of the winter vents are. I assume this is to stop any cold residue from building up in the fridge, or gas heater. I was wondering if anyone could help me with this? 

Many thanks,
Alex 

The winter vent covers (which is what I assume you're referring to) serve various purposes, including (principally) keeping rainwater out of the vent holes, reducing access points in the louvres by which insects etc can get in, and assisting the fridge when the ambient temperature gets low. I don't recall the temperature stipulated in the handbook as the trigger for installing the covers, but I simply put them on in the Autumn (did so last week) and remove them in the Spring. They aren't essential, but if you have them you might as well use them.
Cymro

Great, thanks for that Cymro. I will most definitely install these vents. Is it still ok to use these when the fridge is on or do I have to remove them?

Thanks again,
Alex 

Thanks for that Roger, I assume that when driving it is safe to have these installed?

Many thanks, 
Alex

Great, thanks Roger. I will definitely get my vents installed.

Thanks again,
Alex 

The principle reason for the covers is to slow down the passage of cooling air between the bottom and top vents and in doing so keeps the fridge mechanism warmer which in converse to what you instinctively expect, helps the inside of the fridge in keeping cold.
The other effects mentioned are just happenstance. After all it rains in the summer and rodents and creepy crawled are around then too.

Put them on if your washing the van with a hose pipe ,or power wash,for obvious reasons.
Boaby

Thank you all, for the advise given. I am planning on installing my winter vent covers tomorrow! 

Thanks again,
Alex