oh no - I left my bthrm vent fully opened

Jrhaley · 10-15-2021, 01:32 PM

My camper is 4 hrs away from home at a campground and I just realized I forgot to close the bathroom vent. It's open all the way - there is a vent cover over it and I put on the 3M tarp that covers the whole TT. DO I drive the 4 hrs and unbuckle it to get inside and close the vent or will it be okay? It's located in central NY so there will be plenty of snow involved. Can't believe I forgot to close it.:

yukongold · 10-15-2021, 01:40 PM

Well, there is a vent cover and a tarp over it so water/snow intrusion shouldn't be a problem. Personally, I wouldn't make a special trip for it but the next time I was within an hour or so of it I would take the time to go close it. Of course, if you heat your RV in the winter you will be losing money big time on that bill until it is closed.

boondocking · 10-15-2021, 01:53 PM

I have a vent cover over my bedroom vent and I leave the vent open all winter (no cover over the trailer). Have never had an issue doing that in the last 10 years and we get lots of snow.
I wouldn't worry about it.

Jrhaley · 10-15-2021, 02:18 PM

Whew-that's a load off my mind! Thank you for your input - I hope you're good luck rubs off on me.

boondocking · 10-15-2021, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrhaley

Whew-that's a load off my mind! Thank you for your input - I hope you're good luck rubs off on me.

You're welcome.
If you didn't have a vent cover then I would be concerned about the vent breaking from the weight of the snow. It will be just fine over the winter

EdJunior · 10-15-2021, 09:07 PM

I have vent covers on mine and leave mine open all the time while parked. I get some leaves that blow in, but have never had any rain come in. You should be fine.

CedarCreekWoody · 10-16-2021, 02:02 PM

I think it is a good idea to leave it open if protected.

007matman · 10-16-2021, 02:19 PM

With a vent cover you'll be fine. I leave mine open all the time when storing.

I have the MaxxAir 2 covers.

jkoenig24 · 10-16-2021, 03:20 PM

I'd be more concerned about the "3M tarp". Is said tarp made to be used as an RV cover? Many (most?) tarps are NOT. What material is the tarp made of? Tarps that are NOT made / intended for RV use can easily scratch / damage the finish of an RV. If your 3M tarp is NOT made for RV use, I'd make the drive and correct both problems at the same time. IF you 3M tarp IS "RV friendly" then I'd recommend you create a "Check List" specifically for putting your RV "to bed". Using a good checklist will help you NOT miss any of the numerous steps required to properly store your RV.

SailorSam20500 · 10-16-2021, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007matman

With a vent cover you'll be fine. I leave mine open all the time when storing.

I have the MaxxAir 2 covers.

x2. I don't leave mine all the way up, but they are open a bit.

oldsmasma · 10-17-2021, 08:17 AM

Ontario resident here. Our bathroom vent is purposely left half way open every winter. No tarp.

itat · 10-17-2021, 09:23 AM

I also leave the vents cracked open all year including our Canadian winter. I promotes natural convection air movement. I also use a couple small buckets of anti-desiccant to absorb some air moisture.

I would also be concerned about covering the RV with a tarp that can’t breath. RV covers allow some air to pass through but not water. I’m not familiar with a 3M tarp but a plastic tarp can lead to trapping moisture and mold issues. IMO there is no need for a cover and it actually can risk abrasion of the RV’s finish if the RV is stored outside exposed to the wind.

mjones12 · 10-17-2021, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boondocking

I have a vent cover over my bedroom vent and I leave the vent open all winter (no cover over the trailer). Have never had an issue doing that in the last 10 years and we get lots of snow.
I wouldn't worry about it.

X2

Jrhaley · 10-17-2021, 09:52 PM

It is a travel trailer cover and I've used it for several years. I cover the camper and do all the closing by myself but this time I had help and it threw me off my game. Definitely making a check list for next year. Thank you all for your help. Have a great winter.

sherman12 · 10-20-2021, 10:00 AM

I always leave at least one vent open all year for air movement inside the rig.

jacques1543 · 10-21-2021, 06:08 PM

I always leave roof vents open a bit…. Maybe more than a bit. Better to have some air circulating than ending up with a musty smell in the spring. I do not cover the RV for the winter even with all the snow we get and have never had a problem!

RKiersey · 10-21-2021, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoenig24

I'd be more concerned about the "3M tarp". Is said tarp made to be used as an RV cover? Many (most?) tarps are NOT. What material is the tarp made of? Tarps that are NOT made / intended for RV use can easily scratch / damage the finish of an RV. If your 3M tarp is NOT made for RV use, I'd make the drive and correct both problems at the same time. IF you 3M tarp IS "RV friendly" then I'd recommend you create a "Check List" specifically for putting your RV "to bed". Using a good checklist will help you NOT miss any of the numerous steps required to properly store your RV.

X2

If it is a tarp, it can't breathe. Mold will be your bigger problem.

U.S.ArmyVeteran · 10-21-2021, 11:05 PM

I find this interesting. No wind blown rain anywhere except South Carolina?

dalford · 10-22-2021, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U.S.ArmyVeteran

I find this interesting. No wind blown rain anywhere except South Carolina?

Me too.. the tarp should keep out the blowing rain but for those with no tarps I wonder. I have a vent cover in my bathroom but if the wind is blowing the wrong way my toilet gets wet. I guess if your not there to see it it will be dry when you arrive?

sherman12 · 10-22-2021, 08:12 AM

Sorta like if a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound?

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