Using Fridge and Heater covers on intakes during winter camping

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Philbaker

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I have a 2003 Autotrail Cheyenne 696 and I have put the covers on the side for the fridge and heater. We are going to spend a week at Bowness and Windermere campsite over Christmas. It was Minus 10 last night and it will probably stay that cold for out holiday. My question is when we are using the van do I remove these covers or leave them on ? We will of course be using the fridge and occasionally we will use the gas on the heater. I have been on here for years now and this it the first time I have asked a question.
Phil
 
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We've got a set of vent covers but never use them as we find they impact the efficiency of the fridge freezer.
 
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We will be on hook up so the fridge with be on the mains, the fire will also be on the mains apart from a short period first thing in the morning when we will put it on the gas to get it warmed up quickly.
 
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We use the van year round. If we have hook up and the fridge running on electric we never use the covers. Running on gas in really cold weather I usually fit the lower cover but always leave the top open. Not sure I've noticed a difference with them on or off.

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Philbaker said:
I have a 2003 Autotrail Cheyenne 696 and I have put the covers on the side for the fridge and heater. We are going to spend a week at Bowness and Windermere campsite over Christmas. It was Minus 10 last night and it will probably stay that cold for out holiday. My question is when we are using the van do I remove these covers or leave them on ? We will of course be using the fridge and occasionally we will use the gas on the heater. I have been on here for years now and this it the first time I have asked a question.
Phil
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Fit them for sure. I’ve used mine (2006 AT Dakota) extensively over the past 10+ years, on both gas and EHU and no reduction in the efficiency of the fridge at all. The gas flue exits via its separate outlet and doesn’t impact on the top cover.

The good book says fit em below 8*c, so mine are on and will stay on all winter ❄️

Also remember that the vent for the boiler must be removed if using gas for any reason. Keep it fitted on your EHU trip and anytime in storage 👍🏻
 
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Congrats on your first post.
You'll probably not need the fridge in this weather
But i'd be using gas for heating, just to be cosy.
Have a good trip!
 
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Lenny HB said:
If you are running the fridge on gas and the flue just vents into the area behind the fridge so burnt gases expel via the vent it is best to remove the top vent as it will get hot & the plastic goes soft.
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I have a 2008 bessacar on a ducato with fridge at the back but don't have covers for it....are these an extra item..
 
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PP Bear said:
Fit them for sure. I’ve used mine (2006 AT Dakota) extensively over the past 10+ years, on both gas and EHU and no reduction in the efficiency of the fridge at all. The gas flue exits via its separate outlet and doesn’t impact on the top cover.

The good book says fit em below 8*c, so mine are on and will stay on all winter ❄️

Also remember that the vent for the boiler must be removed if using gas for any reason. Keep it fitted on your EHU trip and anytime in storage 👍🏻
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The vent covers do not completely block the vent, so still allow the best ventilation of the fridge in colder weather.
I agree. Fit them when temperatures fall to around 8 degrees.

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Philbaker said:
I have a 2003 Autotrail Cheyenne 696 and I have put the covers on the side for the fridge and heater. We are going to spend a week at Bowness and Windermere campsite over Christmas. It was Minus 10 last night and it will probably stay that cold for out holiday. My question is when we are using the van do I remove these covers or leave them on ? We will of course be using the fridge and occasionally we will use the gas on the heater. I have been on here for years now and this it the first time I have asked a question.
Phil
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I'd just stick whatever you need in a cool box outside the door!

The cool box will be to keep the stuff warm! (about +5c)
 
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Great bit about the forum and being part of the Fun family, is that we’re all different. Some fit em, some poo poo them, others swear by them, but for sure, just read the manual and follow the appliances instructions and you can’t go far wrong.

Different motorhomes, different vans, varying amounts of experiences, different parts of the country or world, all equates to varying temperatures, experiences and requirements, but in the end it’s the OP’s choice and I’m sure if fitted or not, they still enjoy their time away 👍🏻

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two said:
Congrats on your first post.
You'll probably not need the fridge in this weather
But i'd be using gas for heating, just to be cosy.
Have a good trip!
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why would you not need the fridge, surely that would only work if all the inside was as cold as a fridge, which if you use the heating wouldnt be possible.
 
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When I first started (tugging) there was no fridge, just a box under the floor.
The only gas we used was for the hob and, of course, the gas light (no 12V)!
Not that I'd want to go back to that time, though...
 
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We use them when in windy weather and using gas…. God send if you get caught in a storm.
 
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Nirvanauk said:
Dometic say fit the covers below +8c. We do.
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So did we, until the top cover started to go soft and bendy ( on gas ) and the heat at top of fridge was scarely very hot....
Ok Dometic saying "fit covers" but all vans are differant.
Also some fridges have separate vent for gas exhaust so they "may" be ok.
 
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PaulC70 said:
why would you not need the fridge, surely that would only work if all the inside was as cold as a fridge, which if you use the heating wouldnt be possible.
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Depends on whether you have an absorption or compressor fridge.
 
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We have a tall Thetford absorption fridge in our 2016 Autotrail Dakota and I seem to remember somewhere reading that the plastic shields are to be fitted when stored during the winter, to keep out heavy rain and insects. I don't fit the shields when camping in very cold weather (below 8 degrees) as I think the decrease in temperature makes the fridge/freezer even cooler and therefore uses less gas or electricity. As far as know, without the shields fitted, the gas flame has never blown out when camping in high winds or even when driving at 60 mph (I have a gas crash valve fitted so that is safe). At the end of the day, it's best to do whatever the fridge's manufacturer says in the user manual.
 
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Mine are covered..... 20231202_091628.jpg
 
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i always use the fridge covers in winter . Fridge works fine. Covers don't get hot.

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Bazzagas said:
I have a 2008 bessacar on a ducato with fridge at the back but don't have covers for it....are these an extra item..
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Often an extra some manufacturers supply them.

They are worth fitting when not using the van, they stop all the crap getting behind the fridge also you are supposed to fit them when washing the van.
 
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