We had a roof vent fall off ( duct taped back on temp ) on our recent trip to fl.Went to Myrtle Beach yesterday and bought two new vents ( plastic part ) and two vent covers. I plan to clean the roof, inspect caulking and install the vents and covers in next week or so. My question is this. We purchased the TT used Feb 2013. Previous owner took good care of the TT but the roof caulking was cracking and parting in some places when I bought it. I took care of that with self leveling caulk. I am guessing the cover has never been off the a/c unit or the frig ( cover on top ). Would it be wise to remove them and inspect under the covers? The a/c while noisy inside will run you out of the TT on low and frig works fine. Just wondering if there is any reason to remove covers and check under them for any reason? Don't want to create a problem by unnecessary inspection.PS: No evidence roof has ever leaked and it appears solid ever where I have checked it. Thanks,

Forgot to say ...it is a 2007 TT with a rubber, Dicor I think, roof.

I would remove the A/C cover and inspect most of them have 4 or so screws holding them down. Frige vent probaly not unless you see something funky.

Being in FL I get that pretty green stuff growing under the edges of the fridge vent. I take it off periodically to clean the roof and also remove the family of frogs that likes to hang out there.

The best place to inspect those four long screws is from the inside ceiling side. Just pull down the filter and you can see the four long screws mentioned above. They are suppose to be tight enough to depress the 14-inch square gasket about 1/4-inch. You will notice right away if they are loose. This is the only thing that holds the top unit together with the bottom unit.This is neat simplified diagram of a roof mounted Air Conditioner unitRoy Ken

While you are up there you might want to check the frig cover and the waste vents too. All the plastic stuff gets brittle so now may be the time to replace them. The ac covers seem to hold up better than the other plastics.

Should I leave well enough alone | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2014
I think that going up there and doing all those PM things is your decision.

As the years have gone by and also a few 5th wheels, I have never done any of that stuff. I don't spend time on the roof unless something needs repair.

When you ask a question like that on the internet the answer will always be a resounding do it and while you are up there also do these things. I don't disagree with all the good ideas.

Kinda like the bazillion threads about wheel bearings.

Have fun out there and if you haven't check out the winter special at the Rioz just across the road from planet Hollywood, some awsum dining.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Mar 14, 2014
riven1950 wrote:
I am guessing the cover has never been off the a/c unit or the frig ( cover on top ). Would it be wise to remove them and inspect under the covers?

At least once a year, YES, note that removing the cowel (top cover) and the inner covers will NOT affect the seal as it is farther down.

You need to do the following:
Remove the top (outer) cover.. Clean any dirt and debris you find.
Remove the CONDENSER cover,, Clean the radiator fins and fan, NOTE, this may be easier if you remove the fan. easiest way to do that is to.... REMOVE the Evaporator cover (This is usually plastic) and unlatch the blower motor and simply lift it out.. Clean the blower and if needed the evaporator fins as well.

MOST blower motors have sealed perma-lube bearings, but if yours does not,, (If it has lube ports) Lube it during re-assembly. Replace all covers and you are good. Your sound level may change, and your energy use will decrease. your comfort inside the trailer will increase.

I do this spring and fall normally, sometimes once more mid-summer if I'm parked under cottonwoods.
Horizon170
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
ref: A/C covers, if you see cracking around the bolt heads in the cover, you can remove and install larger washers (Fender washers)in place of the smaller washers and have maybe a few more years life from the cover.
Vent covers need yearly inspections IMO.
Krylon makes a UV-Resistant Clear Coating. I don't know how well it works though.
riven1950
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Thanks all. I will pull the covers off and clean and inspect under them. Looking forward to the new vent covers too so I can leave vents partially open and reduce humidity / condensation.
down_home
Explorer II
Mar 12, 2014
I don't like to spend money but this post serves as a reminder to have the vent covers etc on top checked. Just have them all done at one time and forget it for a while.
Surely there are covers available that are more ozone and ultraviolet resistant than the ones tht came on most. The newer RVs may have some like this.
camperpaul
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
While you are up on the roof with cover off of the A/C, clean the condenser with a stiff brush and clean out the "weep holes" in the bottom pan with a pipe cleaner.
Gene_Ginny
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
I lost a vent cover somewhere in Maine a few years ago. They ALL get brittle with age and sun. Replacing the cover is easy. No need to replace the frame.
Gau_8
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
The cover is easy to take off. The hard part is getting up there. I like to remove them annually and remove all the wasp and dauber nests and make a visual inspection. Should also do that with your exterior furnace, water heater, and fridge covers. Wasps love to build in there.

Eddie
path1
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
IMO yes. The frig especially. I looked with a flashlight down my frig's flue and (under the screen) and was surprised to see how much stuff was inside. So after working on roof trim, next project was giving the frig flue a good cleaning out. Lots of youtube vids on how to giving a good cleaning out. Frig plastic cover was very brittle, so I re-installed with a new one. I also went to stainless steel screws on frig cover, old screws were in bad shape because water sits being they are recessed into cover, as in No where for water to drain.
azrving
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
While you are up there you might want to check the frig cover and the waste vents too. All the plastic stuff gets brittle so now may be the time to replace them. The ac covers seem to hold up better than the other plastics.