Cold Air From Pocket Door

[syringa]

On my 2008 32tk3 there is quite a cold draft from the airspace beside the pocket door. I live in Bc Canada and use the trailer here till the end of Nov and then go to warmer climes so i try to keep most of the drafts out... Seems to me its funny DT makes a big deal of all this insulation then leaves a gap beside the door that is open to the basement for cold air to blow out of... Has anyone remedied this??? thks

Syringa

[Diesel-Gypsy]

Well, yes it does seem odd, but it is true, lots of air movement there.
In theory there should'nt actually be a draft, that would actually mean that the basement IS NOT air tight.
Well, on my 36TK3 that basement area was full of places that created drafts.
Those drafts don't seem to mean much when the OAT is in the mid 70's to mid 80's.
As it gets colder they really become a PITA.
I could tell you where all my sources of air infiltration were, but is is best if you just get in there and start finding them yourself.
Look first behind the sliding doors that conceal all the plumbing & wiring.
Look down where the sewer lines make there way out of the basement.
Also look around at the tin-box that separates the propane tanks from the basement area, the tank side should be as cold as the outside air because it is vented, but because it is not insulated it becomes a huge direct link to the cold outside temps.
The forward mounted battery box is also vented to the outside, and not insulated to the basement area.
The Landing gear legs pass through the basement, they are usually not well sealed to the outside.
Then the biggy, the entire basement area under the main floor is open to the cargo area of the basement as far as air movement.
The belly area around the spring support drop-downs, and many other areas under the trailer are not fully sealed, and air can easily make it's way into the underbelly of the trailer.
That is where many and or most of those drafts were in my rig.
There are more, but I think by now you may have the gist of it......

Rick

[billr]

Gee Rick, now I have a list to start working on! Thanks.... :cry:


Syringa,

I know your talking about drafts coming in from the pocket door, but DT really set this up for return airflow for the furnace and keeping the basement heated. I guess when the furnace is running, it should be sucking in there and not cold drafts. Unless all "Rick's" leaks are beating the furnace draw?? ha

Bill

[47hook]

Great. Now I have more work to do this winter! Thanks a bunch... :wink:

[Motor31]

As already noted the entire bottom of the rig is prone to allow air transfer. You might also check under the kitchen slide for gaps in the bottom wiper seal. DT cut notches in the seal to prevent the seal from getting caught in the roller assembly. This allows fee passage to drafts and small critters to the interior of the rig. You can either put a patch over the notch or stuff the holes with a rag.

Get some additional seal material to stop drafts around the basement doors as after a bit of time the rubber seals the factory put in take a set and no longer seal properly. There is also no draft sealing around the circumference of the slide where it mates to the interior wall of the trailer. The only seal we have is the wiper seal on the slides.

[Okie]

Now is the time to check out the filter they put in the panel over the cabinet for the furnace. Just duct tape over the gaps in the door, :)

Really it's natures way of saying "Go South".

Okie