Traveling on dusty roads

[DHCamper]

Has anyone tried using their vent fans while traveling to pressurize the interior. If so, does that work to keep the dust out?

[DSteiner51]

Pressurizing is how all modern farm tractors with cabs work to keep the dust out. They have their intake somewhere near the rear of the tractor and large filters. Do the same with your fifth wheel but install the reversible fan in the front bedroom ahead of all the dust and forget the filter. Should get much the same results.

[donpop]

DHCamper Yes it works. I have three miles of country gravel road after leaving the blacktop to get to our country get-a-way. We were getting lot of dust inside as there is no way you can get everything sealed enough to keep it all out. My fantastic fan switch only had the out setting so I installed a new switch so I can now reverse it to help pressurize the interior. I have a large covering over the fantastic fan. I can safely say that our dust problem has been reduced 90% and the comments about drawing in dust from the fan is a non issue. I just set my fan on high manual before I leave home so I don't have to stop once we hit the gravel as it is only an eighty mile drive. It works for me.

[DHCamper]

Good replies, I wasn't thinking about the dust cloud from the TV getting sucked in. Somehow pressurizing works in this Aussie camper UEV-490. I think you would need a vent filter. Keeping things closed tight seems to be the way to go, but it doesn't prevent all dust from being sucked in, and the trailer gets very hot.

[laknox]

DHCamper wrote:
Has anyone tried using their vent fans while traveling to pressurize the interior. If so, does that work to keep the dust out?

Only way to do this is to install a vent with a filter to keep some of the dust out. You won't keep all out, by a long shot. We do a family campout every year and it entails about an 8-9 mile drive down a dirt road. I keep my speed down, 25-30, max, but get passed by a few cars/trucks in both directions. I keep it tightly buttoned up and there's minimal dust inside when we get to our spot. The last 3/4 mile is done at about 10-20 mph, less in a couple spots, so there's almost no dust there. 🙂

Lyle

[gbopp]

DHCamper wrote:
Some (mine) fans reverse which might pressurize the trailer. Just want to know if anyone has had any luck with that.

I think many vent fans reverse. When reversed they are pulling air from the outside, and they will pull the dust in along with the air.
Close your vents and windows when traveling on a dusty road.

[Altern]

ecoast wrote:
...wouldn't they be sucking the dust IN?

You know, I just haven't thought about that but now that you mention it....:S

[Swamp_Man]

I agree wiht post # 2. Seems like if someone passed you going to opposite way you would suck in all of their dust.

[Shadow_Grey]

Seems like it would suck air in from anywhere it could which I would think lead to dusty countertops and floors.
I would close it all up and leave the vents closed...open when you get to your destination or turn AC/furnace on.

[DHCamper]

Some (mine) fans reverse which might pressurize the trailer. Just want to know if anyone has had any luck with that.

[ecoast]

...wouldn't they be sucking the dust IN?