Furnace/slides

jsmith948 · 12-17-2012, 06:58 AM

Our 282 RES has opposing slides in the rear living area. When we make a quick, rest area or parking lot stop for the night, we would like to be able to use the furnace with the slides retracted. However, with the slides retracted, the carpet flaps that cover and hide the slide floor joints converge and cover the rear furnace vent.
I am thinking of temporarily blocking off this vent while in transit, but, am concerned about overheating the heat ex-changer or damaging the carpets?
Any thoughts or ideas would be welcome!

Jack

Festus2 · 12-17-2012, 08:11 AM

Jack -
The Suburban furnace owner's manual states that you are "never to restrict the ducting installed by your trailer manufacturer. To do so could cause improper furnace operation". It sounds like that you are not closing all of the duct vents so the flow of warm air is not being totally restricted. I'm not sure whether this would be considered acceptable or not.
Is it possible to fold the carpet back so that the air flow is not blocked?

jsmith948 · 12-17-2012, 09:04 AM

Hello Festus2,
Thanks for the reply. Yes we can fold the rug back (and maybe place a small milk crate upside down over the vent to keep the carpet away. Didn't want to cause the carpet to not lie flat, but, if it's only folded back for a few hrs at a time, that probably won't be an issue. Better safe than sorry. Maybe an extra blanket and sleep a little closer

Festus2 · 12-17-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith948

Hello Festus2,
Thanks for the reply. Maybe an extra blanket and sleep a little closer

No comment!

jerseyphil · 12-17-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith948

Hello Festus2,
Thanks for the reply. Yes we can fold the rug back (and maybe place a small milk crate upside down over the vent to keep the carpet away. Didn't want to cause the carpet to not lie flat, but, if it's only folded back for a few hrs at a time, that probably won't be an issue. Better safe than sorry. Maybe an extra blanket and sleep a little closer

I would custom make something that holds the carpet up a few inches to minimally impact the carpet while still allowing the airflow.
Hope that helps.
Phil

gepaine · 12-17-2012, 11:32 AM

Another consideration is whether or not it is advisable to walk on your retracted slides. I'm guessing this may be model-dependent, but we were advised by the dealer not to walk on our retracted slide as it could damage the slide flooring. (It has little or no support under it when retracted.)

Festus2 · 12-17-2012, 11:56 AM

gepaine -
You raise a valid concern about walking on the slide floor when it is retracted. In the latter editions of the Keystone Owner's Manual, it does advise (Chapt 10) that you not walk on the slide floor when it is in. Doing so places stress on the slide floor which is supported only by the two side walls. There isn't enough support under the slide floor to properly prevent it from separating from the side walls.

jerseyphil · 12-17-2012, 01:37 PM

I know we went off the original topic a little. The OP wasn't clear as to whether or not he was going to use the living area slides during a quick stopover, just the heat duct issue with carpet over the registers.

If NOT using the retracted living area slides during a quick stop, how about the use of the retracted BED slide, which in mine is a much less deep slide-out.

Is there an official manufacturer's position on using the bed with the bed slide retracted?

**hankpage** · 12-17-2012, 04:02 PM

The bedroom slide is supported on rollers and can be used in either position.

jsmith948 · 12-17-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gepaine

Another consideration is whether or not it is advisable to walk on your retracted slides. I'm guessing this may be model-dependent, but we were advised by the dealer not to walk on our retracted slide as it could damage the slide flooring. (It has little or no support under it when retracted.)

Agree with you 100%. There is just enough room between the retracted slides to get back to the vent without stepping on the slide floors. For safety's sake, however, I think we will just forego using the furnace when we sleep with the slides retracted. Thanks for all the responses

**hankpage** · 12-17-2012, 05:24 PM

I slip my shoes under the carpet flap ... one on each side of the vent ... lets the heat out and warm and toasty shoes in the morning.

jsmith948 · 12-18-2012, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankpage

I slip my shoes under the carpet flap ... one on each side of the vent ... lets the heat out and warm and toasty shoes in the morning.

That's a great idea! We were just concerned about the carpet flaps getting too hot and, being some sort of nylon blend, either melting , discoloring or even catching fire? I guess we're guilty of over thinking this. The close proximity of bedding from the sleeper sofa hasn't been a problem when the grand kids are with us.

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