We have a new 2015 Jay Flight 32BHDS and want to install mud dauber screens on the following popular areas:(1) fridge vent(2) water heater(3) furnace exhaustOur dealer said the furnace exhaust screen wasn't yet available for our model TT since it is a different setup for the 2015 Jay Flights. Also, the dealer was doing inventory when we took possession so we weren't able to purchase the other screens for fridge and water heater.QUESTIONS:(1) What brand (and part numbers if known) of screens do folks recommend for these three items for the Jayflight and where can they be purchased?(2) Or do folks just cut their own screens to size?(3) Any other items need protection from bugs/birds (e.g., rear bumper end caps, etc.)?NOTE: We also have the enclosed underbelly so from what I can tell at a quick glance it looks to be pretty well closed off from critters.Many thanks,Dave

Dave,You will need to tell us what brand appliances you have, as the screens are brand-specific.And, is this for use 100% of the time or just while in storage? The "while in storage" is a lot cheaper (cheap nylon screening that you close in the appliance door/access panel).

I cut galvanized hardware cloth to fit behind the removable vent cover for the refrigerator. I bought the WH and furnace stainless steel vent covers mesh from Camping World. I have had no problems with any of them after years of use.I also put hardware cloth under the LP tank storage bays (2) to keep out the wasps and nests. I screened the back open area of the fifth wheel hitch where birds like to nest.

For the frig I've always hot glued fiberglass screening from the hardware store to the inside of the side and top vents.I do the same for the openings under the gas bottles, and door louvers, or any opening that need to be protected.Now's the time since everything is clean or will adhere without too much cleaning.I've had the same screen hot glued on my 5thW for 13 years and about 50K miles, hasn't fallen off yet.I've never bothered with the water heater. I open it gently to prevent surprises and use a vent brush on the burner tub if necessary.That never took much effort and I'm not sure how standard window screening would hold up to the water heater exhaust.I put Camco stainless furnace screens on both my current campers. There a bit pricey for what you get but they look nice, work well, and are easy to install.I don't believe there much difference in any of the brands.

When you install ANY type Insect screen over the outside refer vent, you cut the air flow volume by about 50%. Big deal? Yes, when it gets over 70 degrees outside. Reduced fresh air flow over the refer Condenser coil will inhibit correct cooling. IF Insects make a nest on the refer burner it is easy to fix. Think about this when you decide to install the screens. Doug

dougrainer wrote:When you install ANY type Insect screen over the outside refer vent, you cut the air flow volume by about 50%. Big deal? Yes, when it gets over 70 degrees outside. Reduced fresh air flow over the refer Condenser coil will inhibit correct cooling. IF Insects make a nest on the refer burner it is easy to fix. Think about this when you decide to install the screens. DougNot if the screen is designed correctly.My furnace screens are convex. With a convex shape the total screen opening equals the opening without a screens installed.

Mud dauber screens | Good Sam Community

Big_Love
Explorer
Jan 07, 2015
dougrainer wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
dougrainer wrote:
When you install ANY type Insect screen over the outside refer vent, you cut the air flow volume by about 50%.

If this is true, why not just remove the entire lower refrig panel cover to significantly increase air flow? The panel seems to have been designed to provide only relatively small air vents and mostly covers the space.
cpaulsen
Explorer
Jan 07, 2015
I use the plain old galvanized window screen.
dsmith3
Explorer
Jan 07, 2015
What gauge and grid size (e.g., 1/8-inch) of hardware cloth do y'all use?
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jan 06, 2015
wlstroud wrote:
I cut galvanized hardware cloth to fit behind the removable vent cover for the refrigerator. I bought the WH and furnace stainless steel vent covers mesh from Camping World. I have had no problems with any of them after years of use.
I also put hardware cloth under the LP tank storage bays (2) to keep out the wasps and nests. I screened the back open area of the fifth wheel hitch where birds like to nest.

X2.
I've done this with three truck campers and on one TT and three 5th wheel trailers with no cooling or venting issues.
I would add I use the hardware cloth any where birds or mud daubers/wasps can get into.
I make my own closeout for the back of the pin box to eliminate wasp nests and bird nests.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jan 06, 2015
I recommend no pest strips or moth balls to repel and kill bugs, rather than try to physically bar them- the screens do OK, but I have watched bunches of bugs crawl right through them.
gotsmart
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
dsmith3 wrote:
....
Here are models:

(1) Norcold fridge - model N811RT

For the fridge, on the outside of the vent cover measure the width of the vent (not the width of the cover).

Then google: camco insect screen norcold

There will be several screen model numbers to choose from. Pick the one with the screen width that matches your vent measurement. Make sure that the screen that you pick is for a Norcold fridge and not a Dometic fridge.
weedrancher
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
I decided that reduced air flow was better than dealing with angry wasps with their nests inside the top refer vent. I even have wire mesh inside the A/C cover.
dsmith3
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
wolfe10 wrote:
Dave,

You will need to tell us what brand appliances you have, as the screens are brand-specific.

And, is this for use 100% of the time or just while in storage? The "while in storage" is a lot cheaper (cheap nylon screening that you close in the appliance door/access panel).

Thanks, Brett. Here are models:

(1) Norcold fridge - model N811RT
(2) Atwood 6-gal water heater - model GC6AA-10E
(3) Atwood furnace - model AFMDxx (where xx = 16, 20, 25, 30 or 35)
NOTE: the furnace ports look very similar to the photo below (i.e., two round intake/exhaust ports)

I think I prefer to have screens that are more of a permanant 100% solution and not ones just for storage that we remove when we use the camper. But we're new to RV camping so I'm happy to hear input from folks on what works best.

Thanks again,
Dave
dougrainer
Nomad
Jan 05, 2015
fj12ryder wrote:
dougrainer wrote:
When you install ANY type Insect screen over the outside refer vent, you cut the air flow volume by about 50%. Big deal? Yes, when it gets over 70 degrees outside. Reduced fresh air flow over the refer Condenser coil will inhibit correct cooling. IF Insects make a nest on the refer burner it is easy to fix. Think about this when you decide to install the screens. Doug
Wouldn't the amount of air flow be dependent on the size of openings in the screen? I've done it for many years and have noticed no degradation in the cooling ability of my fridge. Having 2 cooling fans at the top of the vent may help offset any reduction in airflow ability.

MOST refers have no rear fans. IF the openings are large enough, then the Insects can get thru. ANY screen will disrupt air flow on the refer door regardless of the size of the opening. Doug
dougrainer
Nomad
Jan 05, 2015
Tom N wrote:
dougrainer wrote:
When you install ANY type Insect screen over the outside refer vent, you cut the air flow volume by about 50%. Big deal? Yes, when it gets over 70 degrees outside. Reduced fresh air flow over the refer Condenser coil will inhibit correct cooling. IF Insects make a nest on the refer burner it is easy to fix. Think about this when you decide to install the screens. Doug

Not if the screen is designed correctly.

My furnace screens are convex. With a convex shape the total screen opening equals the opening without a screens installed.

I am talking about adding screens to the refer door, nothing else. Doug

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