Outside stove vent fell out

[Donna D.]

Hey, one of my tabs came out and is long gone. The other tab no longer stays in place on the flap; maybe the Krylon paint was too slick or something. So the flap freely flaps during travel. I don't want to lose the flap; is that a real danger? Does anyone have an idea how to add a new tab without removing or replacing the entire assembly (like Alf did)?

Yeah, the tabs are long gone on the stove vent on my trailer too. I have a roll of Gaffer tape and just use a strip to tape the flap down while under tow. The roll of tape should last my lifetime....

 

[C&G in FL]

Yeah, the tabs are long gone on the stove vent on my trailer too. I have a roll of Gaffer tape and just use a strip to tape the flap down while under tow. The roll of tape should last my lifetime....

I only use the fan to vent steam when brewing coffee, or on the very rare occasion that we use the stove. Both of the tabs on my vent are intact, but when it is not in use or when traveling, I do something similar to Donna. I have a thin piece of upholstery foam cut to fit that I slide up into the housing. It is held in place by compression. Not only does it protect the flapper, but it provides a degree of insulation when it is in place. Without it, vent is really a source of cold air infiltration when temperatures dip.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Time to unspool some duct tape

Some tape should keep the flap in place during transport, and can be removed during use. I'd suggest replacing the vent as I'm not sure it can be easily repaired.

 

[iamunique127]

Some tape should keep the flap in place during transport, and can be removed during use. I'd suggest replacing the vent as I'm not sure it can be easily repaired.

They are cheap to buy and easy to replace. Do a couple searches here on the forum and you should be able to find all the info you need to replace the whole range vent.

I defintiely recommend replacing the old Ventline, which tends to deteriorate and get brittle, with the JR Products type shown in Post #5. If Amazon doesn't have them I found they were quite common at online RV supply stores.

Don't sweat it if the JR Products vent is not available. I ordered one but was shipped a different brand of the same vent, which was identical.

If it helps, here is my expereince replacing mine.

 

[Rockhead]

The flap snaps in and out. Amazon does have some replacement flaps and I’ve seen them at camping world. Or buy the whole unit if one cannot find exact make of flap and just change out the flap instead of the whole unit

 

[Mike G]

The flap snaps in and out. Amazon does have some replacement flaps and I’ve seen them at camping world. Or buy the whole unit if one cannot find exact make of flap and just change out the flap instead of the whole unit

My (Ventline) flap doesn't snap, it just flaps freely. In fact, if the remaining side piece isn't on, it flaps audibly when I close the trailer door with all windows closed... which reminds me to secure it once again, for all the good it will do until the one remaining side piece slips down again.

 

[Mike G]

They are cheap to buy and easy to replace. Do a couple searches here on the forum and you should be able to find all the info you need to replace the whole range vent.

I defintiely recommend replacing the old Ventline, which tends to deteriorate and get brittle, with the JR Products type shown in Post #5. If Amazon doesn't have them I found they were quite common at online RV supply stores.

Don't sweat it if the JR Products vent is not available. I ordered one but was shipped a different brand of the same vent, which was identical.

If it helps, here is my expereince replacing mine.

Hmm, you make it sound easy. But I've read other people's posts saying that the old one was a real bugger to get unstuck from the trailer, and that the screw holes did not line up. I was surprised to read in your post that the holes lined up just fine for you! I wonder if I could be so lucky.

 

[Mike G]

Yeah, the tabs are long gone on the stove vent on my trailer too. I have a roll of Gaffer tape and just use a strip to tape the flap down while under tow. The roll of tape should last my lifetime....

Hmm, would you think some of the blue painter's tape would work, too? (Assuming you have ever used it, and can compare.)

Honestly, I use the range hood fan so seldom, any tape might be on there for months if I went that route!

 

[iamunique127]

You can compare the holes on old and new before you begin to be sure they line up.

It is a bit of work getting the old one off but it’s definitely doable.

 

[Donna D.]

Hmm, would you think some of the blue painter's tape would work, too? (Assuming you have ever used it, and can compare.)

I've found blue painters tape to be evil if it gets wet. Leaves residue and actually drips blue liquid. Remember, it's only a temporary use tape. I have and do use it, but never where it could possibly stain the gel coat on my trailer. YMMV

 

[Mike G]

I've found blue painters tape to be evil if it gets wet. Leaves residue and actually drips blue liquid. Remember, it's only a temporary use tape. I have and do use it, but never where it could possibly stain the gel coat on my trailer. YMMV

Thanks, that kills the painter's tape idea for sure. Gaffer tape sounds much better.

 

[Mike G]

Update: I have read several threads and comments. The Endura replacement was said by one person to be a more difficult fit on his older style Escape body because its greater curvature didn't play well with the Endura's continuous hinge. Between that and the thought of dremeling the opening to enlarge it, I decided against that vent.

I found a Ventline vent in black, V2111, with the 5/8" inside protrusion, and ordered it so at least I'll have it on hand. A mobile home supply place in Michigan, Mobile Home Depot, had it on their website.

I have thought of a way to keep the lock levers from falling down. If I glue a little piece of something onto the flap just below where the lever is horizontal, the lever would only be able to swivel up (when I want it to do so), not swivel down from vibration and gravity. Of course mine is already missing one of the levers, so the other lever might pop out soon also. But I might even do that to the new Ventline if the levers begin to move by themselves.

 

[Mike G]

I found a Ventline vent in black, V2111, with the 5/8" inside protrusion, and ordered it so at least I'll have it on hand. A mobile home supply place in Michigan, Mobile Home Depot, had it on their website.

Update: this place in Michigan failed to ship, and after querying they informed me that the part V2111-5 was no longer available. They had the longer flange version, but I passed on it. So far the gaffer tape is doing the job on my old flap.