Road dust coming in through furnace and filling drawers

[mri503]

We have a 2016 Wildwood X-lite 26 ft BH model...it would appear after driving down a gravel road, that dust is coming in through the furnace access panel right above the wheels, and covering the drawers next to the oven, and everything in the cabinet under the sink. After reaching our destination, when the furnace was turned on, there was a definite 'burning' smell (as the dust was burned off I assume). This seems like a serious health hazard?

Is this a design flaw? I need to call our dealership and ask about...

[SeaDog]

the dust is coming in more then just where the furnace is. If you were running with any vents cracked that helped pull dust in thru the cargo areas if you travel on dusty roads its something you have to live with. Was this the first time you ran the furnace if so there is an oil coating on the firebox that has to burn off and produces some smoke and smell the first time you use it.

[Witch Doctor]

Do you have a picture of that panel? You should only have 2 vents on the outside, 1 exhaust and 1 intake, what furnace panel you talking about? You should have a hot water panel, but no furnace panel, it's a closed system, need a picture, I'm confused

[mri503]

Here’s panel talking about. No vents open at all, because I had 20 miles of gravel road to cross.



Pump covered
Attachment 1

[Iwannacamp]

I don’t classify as an expert, but that’s the refrigerator cover.

Yes it could be open to the interior cabinets....depending on how it’s laid out. Might seal that area around the refer opening to the cabinets as best you can, but the refer has to breath.

[mri503]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

I don’t classify as an expert, but that’s the refrigerator cover.

Yes it could be open to the interior cabinets....depending on how it’s laid out. Might seal that area around the refer opening to the cabinets as best you can, but the refer has to breath.

Iwannacamp - thanks for the tip. Taking cover off, it does look like a fridge. And not that dusty..



Wonder if coming in a different place, but thats a lot of dust:

[Witch Doctor]

Yep that's the refer, seal as stated above. That is also your water pump, need to seal that area where the lines go through. Your furnace vents are behind that, don't seal that. There is a fan in the refer area that is probably bringing it in if on when traveling not much you can do with that. Hate to say but these units are not sealed that good. You might want to pull the unit out so you can vacuum before sealing it. It's going to be a hard area to seal IMO. good luck and safe travels.....[emoji196]

[mri503]

I now am wondering if it's coming in through the furnace air intake, just in front of the wheels...

[SeaDog]

For some reason you seem to be hung up on the furnace letting dust in. that is a sealed system. The dust you are getting is from all the unsealed joints and cracks and holes under and around your rig. most of the dust is more then likely coming in from the cargo doors and holes in the floor. Pull some panels and be amazed at the holes in your floor.

[Villagerjjm]

When I was living in NY, my wife and I would boondock in some isolated areas that were only accessible by going down a dirt road. The first time we went into one particular area, we ran into the dust problem. My solution was to turn off the propane and shut off the 'fridge before going onto that road. I used an old pillow case to close off the 'fridge vent area. We would only be on the road for maybe 45 minutes to an hour and a half. When we made camp, the first thing I did was turn on the propane and turn on the 'fridge again after removing the pillow case. I never had any thawing and the 'fridge stayed at a cool 45 degrees for all that time.

[mri503]

Thanks villagerjjm!