Please, we could use some advice. We are looking at a camper that hasn't had a propane vent on it for at least 5 years in Oregon weather, and it rains all the time here. We figure that water had to go somewhere! We didn't lift the panel to look at what corrosion might be going on but will be headed back out this weekend to take a closer look. What exactly should we look for? Isn't it totally possible that the water leaked down to the box and it's rotting it out? The camper is still on the truck so it's hard to see that area of the camper. Plus, we figure the water is going exactly where you probably don't want water the most, straight to the electrical and gas components! Any suggestions/help/advice? Thanks!

You aren't very clear in what you are talking about to me.The Propane storage box has a vent in the bottom... propane is heavier than air... "IF" there is a propane leak at the tank or regulator it flows our the bottom of the storage box.Places that propane is used include: generators, refridgerators, stoves, furnaces, and catalytc heaters.What is you are lifting... is it the door to the propane tank?there is no roof vent for propane.

In a wet environment with out a cover on the propane vent, there will be rotted wood, if the camper is wood framed. I had a broken plastic roof vent on my Avion, in Arizona, and I had some interior wood rotted away. Fortunately for me, my vinyl floor kept the water from ruining the structural wood. Make sure you check in out carefully.

I'm with the second poster. What exactly is a propane vent?Upon reading the post again, are you talking about a cover where the fridge compartment vents through the roof?

Camp, Forrest, Camp! wrote:I'm with the second poster. What exactly is a propane vent?Upon reading the post again, are you talking about a cover where the fridge compartment vents through the roof?X3, My tc does not have a vent on the fridge (older model that just vented through the side covers) and for that matter does not have a vent on the propane door. I have no water or rust in either.

Not sure what a propane vent is either. do you mean the roof top vent for the fridge? If so then I would pass it by. There would have to be a bunch of rot.

A truck camper with no propane vent for 5 years

sleepy
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
You aren't very clear in what you are talking about to me.

The Propane storage box has a vent in the bottom... propane is heavier than air... "IF" there is a propane leak at the tank or regulator it flows our the bottom of the storage box.

Places that propane is used include: generators, refridgerators, stoves, furnaces, and catalytc heaters.

What is you are lifting

... is it the door to the propane tank?

there is no roof vent for propane.
69_Avion
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
In a wet environment with out a cover on the propane vent, there will be rotted wood, if the camper is wood framed. I had a broken plastic roof vent on my Avion, in Arizona, and I had some interior wood rotted away. Fortunately for me, my vinyl floor kept the water from ruining the structural wood.
Make sure you check in out carefully.
Camp__Forrest__
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
I'm with the second poster. What exactly is a propane vent?

Upon reading the post again, are you talking about a cover where the fridge compartment vents through the roof?
Photomike
Explorer III
Jun 05, 2013
Camp, Forrest, Camp! wrote:
I'm with the second poster. What exactly is a propane vent?

Upon reading the post again, are you talking about a cover where the fridge compartment vents through the roof?

X3, My tc does not have a vent on the fridge (older model that just vented through the side covers) and for that matter does not have a vent on the propane door. I have no water or rust in either.
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 05, 2013
Not sure what a propane vent is either. do you mean the roof top vent for the fridge? If so then I would pass it by. There would have to be a bunch of rot.
DanoT
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
ScottG wrote:
Not sure what a propane vent is either. do you mean the roof top vent for the fridge? If so then I would pass it by. There would have to be a bunch of rot.

After re-reading the OP post, I think it is the upper fridge vent that is missing so yeah if that is the case, then I agree, its a pass.
Traveling_Famil
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
You will have to excuse me for not being clear. Yes, I'm talking about the roof top vent for the fridge. Our other camper has a panel that goes to the back of the fridge... I'm not sure the camper we are checking out even has that panel. I'm thinking the water has got to be going down the back of the fridge, causing corrosion, and down through the bottom of the camper and rotting out the wood. Like I said, it's still on the current owner's truck. I'm thinking there's gotta be a lot of rot going on somewhere... 5 years is a lot of water.
jimh406
Explorer III
Jun 05, 2013
I think it depends on how often it was used. You could pull the fridge and talk a look or just take off the outside cover and see what shape the bottom part is in.
sleepy
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
If you start taking it apart or "pulling" a fridge "it's yours" you don't want that.

When you open the access door behind the fridge on the outside of the camper you will probably know all you'll need... if it's bad there... it'll be bad all over.

Run, don't walk, away from this one.... even if it is free. recently someone wrote on another post... "sometimes the rot can be so bad you can smell it..." (mold)

You are wise to ask...when things don't seem right they usually aren't.

If you'll share the brand, year, and model someone on here will probably know specifics and be willing to share with you.

sleepy
NRALIFR
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
If any of the vent covers on the roof are missing and have been for some time, I'd pass on the RV. That's a clear sign of neglect and lack of maintenance. You might be able to get away with that in the desert SW, but not where you are.

You're correct in your assumption that the rain has to go somewhere. I wouldn't waste time trying to confirm what is a virtual certainty. The camper is most likely water damaged.

:):)