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Old 02-25-2019, 01:57 PM   #1
chuck56
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Draft in Montana 3810MS

Hi,

We bought a 3810 MS this past Dec. and have noticed that there is a terrible draft coming in from the return under the stairs when the heat is not running. This makes this RV like ice when you go in it after its been stored (just as cold as outside) and when in use the heat comes on very often as the unit cools off very quickly. We never noticed this in our Big Horn. The dealership says this is normal and there is nothing wrong. Anyone else experience this??
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Old 02-25-2019, 02:42 PM   #2
wiredgeorge
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Under the stairs must mean 5th wheel? Have you popped your head into the pass through to see what the ducting looks like? It is sort of a cold spot in the pass through with no insulation in compartment doors and the like. The dealer will tell you everything you think is wrong is "normal" so start digging on your own. We have a 5ver as well with a heat duct on the stairs and there is no draft; you way yours is a return?
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Old 02-25-2019, 02:59 PM   #3
ChuckS
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During the summer months I block off the stair furnace returns with a couple of pieces of cardboard cut to fit ... makes a world of difference keeping the cool air in the unit.. AC works less hard..

During storage in wintertime I also place the cardboard over the stairwell returns to lessen the amount of outside ambient cold air coming into the unit..

However.. if we use the furnace I uncover those returns to ensure good airflow. Some say just leave em covered when using furnace as there is other areas furnace can draw air from... I prefer leaving vents open
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Old 02-25-2019, 03:26 PM   #4
JRTJH
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The underbelly of your trailer is not well insulated and there are numerous holes in the frame rails as well as places where items are mounted through the coroplast. Additionally, there are two water lines that run through the top of the passthrough storage and the area where they go forward through the passthrough front wall is a large hole. The area forward of that is open to the outside with landing gear jacks and other holes.

You might also look at your convenience center. The bottom "large hole" where the water line enters the convenience center allows a significant draft.

Additionally, the rear passthrough wall is open about 4" at the top and there's very little insulation between the propane compartments and the passthrough, so any "cold soak" will spill over that rear wall and "creep out" the vents under the stairs. There's not a lot you can do about improving the draft that's easy or quick to accomplish. You can, when you get some time and have the space and tools to work, pull everything out of the passthrough, remove the rear wall, close up any holes to the underbelly (there are several) and rework some areas to better insulate and block the drafty, cold air from spilling through those open vents in the stairs.

Easy to do? Certainly not, and if you decide to take action, think things through before you go sealing off any spaces, remember that the warm cabin air that's spilling through those vents as the cold air comes into your trailer is what keeps the water lines that you don't see from freezing. So, you could easily "insulate the cabin" so you're warm and in the same process, assure that all your plumbing runs will turn to ice from lack of heat.....
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Old 02-26-2019, 06:07 AM   #5
brialin
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I have a 2013 Montana with the same problem. Turn on a ceiling vent and it sucks the outside air in from under the stairs. JRTJH is correct in the fact that are plenty of holes and spaces for air to come in. If you put a light in there when it is dark you will be amazed at how many places you can see it from the outside and pass through storage compartments. I don't think there is really any way to fix this. I just learn to live with it.
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Old 02-26-2019, 07:40 AM   #6
chuck56
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Thanks for the response
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