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marpel's avatar
marpel
Explorer
Jul 29, 2018

Stove exterior vent question

Our trailer has a vent in the exterior wall to vent stove fumes etc when the vent fan is running. The vent has a "flap" (don't know the proper name) that is "hinged" at the top and secured with two clips at the two bottom corners (to prevent it from flapping when travelling down the road, I assume). These clips have to be manually opened/closed.

The flap is made of thin plastic and the two hinge pins are nothing more than plastic toothpick sized pins about 3/8 " long which fit into holes at the top two corners of the frame/cover. The frame and flap come as an already assembled package.

Now the issue: I am looking to replace the flap (this will be the third time) as the flimsy plastic pins have broken, again. To replace this flap, I have to remove and replace the frame (scoring the sealant, unscrewing, cleaning, replacing, resealing, re-screwing etc). Not too terribly difficult, but a bit of a pain.

Now the question: I have searched (including visiting a couple RV places) but cannot find a replacement flap that is either made out of metal or plastic with metal pins. Does anyone know if this item exists and where I can find one??

Thanks,

Marv

14 Replies

  • This is probably the single most breakable item on an RV. Just one time out when the flap is not secured and it is alongside an interstate!
    Some years back a SunnyBrook owner started making them for sale and I bought one. It is a very simple design as was described above and it has lasted probably 10 years and still going strong.
    Just thinking out loud? would it work to make a piece of sheet metal and hinge it at the top with some clever use of velcro and seal at the bottom with either velcro or clips like are used on screen doors to hold in the glass window?
    One other thought; could one be made with a 3D printer? Although I suppose the average RVer doesn't have one in their rig!
  • I glue a magnet and washer to the thing, magnet holds it closed fine, but it opens when the exhaust fan is running.
  • I made my own. I used a piece of small steel rod that is the length of the flapper plus 2". I wrapped a piece of light gauge aluminum cut to flapper size
    (+ for the bend) around the steel rod. IIRC, I attached the steel rod and flapper through two small holes I drilled in the flapper cover.