I recently purchased a 2013 Sprinter 316bik. It has a slide in the kitchen so the fridge is vented at the bottom (typical) and then it is vented thru the sidewall at the top, not thru the roof as it is on the slide. I took the cover off last night and there is a piece of tin mounted on the inside covering half the vent. Wondering why this is, it looks to be factory mounted as it is screwed in from the inside. Wouldn't it be better if vent was wide open?? Thanks for all input.

To keep rain from coming in ? Maybe the factory had some complaints and this was a way to solve a problem.

buzter wrote:I recently purchased a 2013 Sprinter 316bik. It has a slide in the kitchen so the fridge is vented at the bottom (typical) and then it is vented thru the sidewall at the top, not thru the roof as it is on the slide. I took the cover off last night and there is a piece of tin mounted on the inside covering half the vent. Wondering why this is, it looks to be factory mounted as it is screwed in from the inside. Wouldn't it be better if vent was wide open?? Thanks for all input.Maybe not! They may have had an issue with "downdraft" and the burner going out. I would leave it. Also, look through your paperwork and see what it says in the fridge packet about slideout mounting! Or as previously posted it could've had a rain issue.

Some fridges actually require a narrower space versus wide open to optimize the chimney effect.

The upper vent on our Mobile Suites was half blocked also and having cooling issues so I cut it out and it definitely helped; by doing so I can hold 35degrees on a 105 degree day and this is a Dometic Elite RM1350 4 door.I looked at my installation manual for cutout dimensions when mounted in a slideout and that vent was supposed to be open fully, I think it was just a lazy installer.

OP - Why not remove it and see what happens. If the fridge does not operate as well then put it back. That's what I would do. Most posts I see have to do with increasing ventilation behind the fridge as a means of improving the performance of the fridge. Maybe there is a reason as others are surmising, but no one knows for sure.

Upper Fridge vent blocked off...Why? | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

wmoses
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
OP - Why not remove it and see what happens. If the fridge does not operate as well then put it back. That's what I would do. Most posts I see have to do with increasing ventilation behind the fridge as a means of improving the performance of the fridge. Maybe there is a reason as others are surmising, but no one knows for sure.
Garry_Gayle
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
The upper vent on our Mobile Suites was half blocked also and having cooling issues so I cut it out and it definitely helped; by doing so I can hold 35degrees on a 105 degree day and this is a Dometic Elite RM1350 4 door.
I looked at my installation manual for cutout dimensions when mounted in a slideout and that vent was supposed to be open fully, I think it was just a lazy installer.
YC_1
Nomad
Sep 09, 2014
Some fridges actually require a narrower space versus wide open to optimize the chimney effect.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2014
buzter wrote:
I recently purchased a 2013 Sprinter 316bik. It has a slide in the kitchen so the fridge is vented at the bottom (typical) and then it is vented thru the sidewall at the top, not thru the roof as it is on the slide. I took the cover off last night and there is a piece of tin mounted on the inside covering half the vent. Wondering why this is, it looks to be factory mounted as it is screwed in from the inside. Wouldn't it be better if vent was wide open?? Thanks for all input.

Maybe not! They may have had an issue with "downdraft" and the burner going out. I would leave it. Also, look through your paperwork and see what it says in the fridge packet about slideout mounting! Or as previously posted it could've had a rain issue.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
To keep rain from coming in ? Maybe the factory had some complaints and this was a way to solve a problem.

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Upper Fridge vent blocked off...Why?

35 Replies

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