Snow/High Winds

NV.Dan · 12-30-2021, 12:10 PM

We just had a crazy winter storm here in Reno, NV with high winds and snow. I went to check on the camper to make sure everything was alright. I found that the roof vents were completely closed, but ice somehow got in between the vent and the screen and as it is starting to thaw it's dripping down onto the floor and bed. I'm speculating that the crazy winds pushed snow up in between the vent and screens since the vents were tightly closed. Any tricks to possibly avoiding this again in the future? Thank you

dutchmensport · 12-30-2021, 12:56 PM

Sounds like you did not have your vent cover tightened enough. A little extra turn to snug it down real good might be all it needs.

I assuming you cannot open the vent cover right now either. I would place a plastic storage tub directly under the vent, on the floor or on the bed, or both, so when the snow and ice melts, it will drip in the tub and not your bed or floor.

When weather warms up, also check the seals on the vent itself, make sure they are not deteriorated, or misaligned, or slipping to the side or anything, allowing water, wind, and rain to pass through when it's blowing just the right way.

wiredgeorge · 12-30-2021, 01:12 PM

Move to South Texas or Florida. That will fix the issue. Seriously, they have those vent covers that are supposed to allow you to pull your camper down the road in rain and not get water inside. https://www.amazon.com/Maxxair-503-1...s%2C137&sr=8-5

German Shepherd Guy · 12-30-2021, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Move to South Texas or Florida. That will fix the issue. Seriously, they have those vent covers that are supposed to allow you to pull your camper down the road in rain and not get water inside. https://www.amazon.com/Maxxair-503-1...s%2C137&sr=8-5

I put those vent covers on my old TT. They work as advertised.

locomech · 12-31-2021, 02:48 PM

I have the Maxx air vent covers and always leave my vents cracked open, never had an issue with leaking. We're expecting a snow storm tomorrow afternoon with 4-8 inches forecast in northern Illinois. It's too bad they can't ban snow.

NV.Dan · 01-01-2022, 01:38 PM

Thanks for the link. These look like they would work well.

NV.Dan · 01-01-2022, 01:49 PM

Vents were closed snug and seals are good. This is a new unit, so the seals are good.

**JRTJH** · 01-01-2022, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NV.Dan

Vents were closed snug and seals are good. This is a new unit, so the seals are good.

Have you considered that it may not be snow accumulation, but rather humidity inside the trailer collecting on the coldest part, the metal framework of the roof vents ? If they are closed and not leaking, then it likely is water from inside the trailer, not snow being blown through a closed vent.

NV.Dan · 01-01-2022, 06:10 PM

No, I did not think of that because we have never had this issue with our last trailer, but we never used the camco vent insulator on our other one either. Maybe that’s it.

**JRTJH** · 01-01-2022, 06:16 PM

If you pull the garnish ring off the vent (the white plastic ring that has 4 screws attaching it to the ceiling) you'll see that the vent is actually open to the attic space (below the TPO and above the luan ceiling)... That space is not well insulated from the vent and you could easily get outside airflow through the attic space to the metal parts of the roof vent. With a "foam block" preventing interior warmth from getting to the space above the foam, it may be a "welcoming space for cold wet air to accumulate".....

I'm not saying that's what is happening, but don't rule it out until you check it out... I just don't see snow blowing "around a closed vent dome that has the vinyl gasket in place" at least not in the quantity that would melt and drip onto the bed, wetting the mattress.

I think it's not "snow blowing into the trailer but something in the trailer accumulating the condensation".... Then again, I've been wrong lots of times, so.....

**chuckster57** · 01-01-2022, 06:53 PM

I was going to mention condensation, I’m on the west side of the sierras and that storm was a doozy for our area. We are suddenly 170% of normal snow accumulation.

NV.Dan · 01-02-2022, 04:56 PM

Thank you. Yeah, I'm thinking that it is the condensation building up between the insulation pillow and the vent. I'm thinking of pulling the insulated pillow from the vents. I guess these were a poor decision.

**JRTJH** · 01-02-2022, 04:59 PM

Vent pillows are nice to keep the extra cold out of the bedroom if you're heating with an electric space heater in the kitchen. It'll help keep the warmth in at night.... They're also good in the summer to keep the heat soak out of rooms without an air conditioner in the vent.... Otherwise, yeah, they're a waste of foam and fuzzy material....

Cascadia · 01-06-2022, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I was going to mention condensation, I’m on the west side of the sierras and that storm was a doozy for our area. We are suddenly 170% of normal snow accumulation.

We got it here on the Oregon coast. We had snow/rain mix at sea level! A couple of trees came down close to the trailer but thankfully missed us. The power was out for 24 hours but we did just fine...cozy and snug. The gusts were 60-70mph. Sounded like a train coming in off the ocean through the trees. On top of this we had King tides...the lakes came up fast with all the rain. All in all we weathered this storm well. Our vent covers worked well...no damage and no leaks.

**flybouy** · 01-06-2022, 12:20 PM

Interesting theory, comments on the vent pillows. I've been using them for well over 20 years and never had a condensation issue. Mine fit tight enough that air never got past them or penetrated through them. But I never camped in a blizzard but have them in while in storage.

Traindude · 01-09-2022, 04:57 PM

I also use the max air vent covers. They work great never had any problems.

mjsibe · 01-10-2022, 10:02 AM

I have the Max-air vent covers also.
They work
Wind driven rains southeast PA. have never had any water coming in.
I leave the vents open when it's parked at home all year round.
No musty smell as it's always open.
Although I do have it covered in the Winter months.
We even travel with them open.
Good air circulation as you travel.
No hot trailer when you arrive at you destination.
Well worth it.

NV.Dan · 01-10-2022, 08:11 PM

Thank you for you input. After researching we did purchase 3 Max Air Vents to install for all the reasons above. Thanks everything for you input, much appreciated.

NV.Dan · 01-15-2022, 10:22 PM

Installed the Max Air vents today and they look great.

ChuckS · 01-16-2022, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NV.Dan

Installed the Max Air vents today and they look great.

They will keep you from having snow and rain intrusion in the future... Also.. the Maxair covers will stand up to the rigors of UV much much better and will protect those vent covers from cracking to pieces due to UV.. and they will...

My Alpine has about 4 inches of snow on the roof and I have the BR vent cracked open... Have done so for the last eight years with this unit during the long winter storage here at the house..

Helps prevent condensation inside and the snow does not get in thru the Maxair cover

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