Fridge vents "bowing" outwards - doesn't make sense!

[BigDean]

Hi all,

Hope someone with a more engineering mind can offer some advice on this. On our new motorhome both external fridge vents bow outwards. Please see the attached. Immediately think they are faulty, so got onto dealer, who sent me a replacement set. New ones (that are 100% flat/straight when not installed) are exactly the same.

In my simple mind this means that the connections they are attaching to must be too close together, but they look rectangular and installed correctly. It all clips in securely.

A bit of a conundrum.

Has anyone had a similar problem?

Dealer has of course offered to take a look, but they are a long way away, and don't really want to do the journey if there is a simple fix!

All assistance appreciated as always.

Thanks
Dean

 

[jonasw19]

I think you haven't clipped the bottom edge in correctly.
I fit by offering up the bottom first ensuring it clips in place then swinging it up to close at the top, then slide the clips across. Check and repeat if required.
The mating faces also need to be clean as the small tabs are easily deflected.
Jon

 

[BigDean]

Thanks for that. Will give it all a clean in the morning and reseat.
Thanks

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

As Jon says above...Look at your side on view at the bottom of the vent. It looks like its sitting away from the lip giving a gap impression? Possibly not quite sitting inside the lip itself ?

kev

 

[TerryL]

I saw that once on our Swift and couldn't quite understand it. But I eventually realised that the bottom clips hadn't seated due to too much sealant being used. Cleaned out (most) of the sealant and they fitted perfectly.

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[BigDean]

Thanks all, I have given it a good clean out this morning. All sealant removed from where the covers slot in.

Bottom one is still protruding. Looks to me like the Thetford frame is badly installed. Attached are pictures of the top and bottom frames. The top one (after cleaning out and re-seating) now looks fine with the cover on. The bottom one, still bows outwards. This is with brand new covers on.

Looks like a trip back to the dealers!

Comments welcome.

Thanks
Dean

 

[dalspa]

The top edge of the bottom cover looks to be well out of line and is not parallel to the decals (assuming that the decals are straight. Very poorly fitted. Needs removing and hole cutting properly, however, this needs to be done carefully (as it should have been in first instant!) so as not to allow water to get in.

 

[BigDean]

The top edge of the bottom cover looks to be well out of line and is not parallel to the decals (assuming that the decals are straight. Very poorly fitted. Needs removing and hole cutting properly, however, this needs to be done carefully (as it should have been in first instant!) so as not to allow water to get in.

Thanks Dalspa, as I suspected.

 

[Minxy]

As Dalspa said, the base plate isn't installed properly so there's no way you're gonna get the cover to sit in it properly.

 

[gus-lopez]

The top edge of the bottom cover looks to be well out of line and is not parallel to the decals (assuming that the decals are straight. Very poorly fitted. Needs removing and hole cutting properly, however, this needs to be done carefully (as it should have been in first instant!) so as not to allow water to get in.

It is worrying isn't it that someone can actually think it is acceptable? Surely they must look at these things?

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[dalspa]

It is worrying isn't it that someone can actually think it is acceptable? Surely they must look at these things?

Absolutely. The straight line was already in place with the decals, so all the fitter had to do was work to it. Probably drilled a series of holes and read them as Braille

 

[IRHP]

Def doesn't look right. I'd send the dealer the pics of the frame and see what they say.

 

[Pausim]

That NCC approved sticker in the first picture doesn’t seem to cover building the motorhome properly.

 

[BigDean]

Thanks all,

This is our first brand new motorhome, and I have to say, I am not convinced I would ever buy another one. There is very little quality control from either the manufacturer or the dealer.

And then trying to get warranty work done is a joke. The local dealer wanted to charge me £50 to even file a claim with the manufacturer. I appreciate it was my decision to purchase from a dealer that was a long way away (because they were the ones that had the exact model I wanted in stock), but had no idea that the dealer you buy it from is the only one that would carry out warranty work.

For the amount of money these things cost, the industry is a disgrace.

I have emailed the dealer with the pictures and ask them to ask the manufacturer where they want us to take it to be repaired.

Thanks again.
Dean

 

[denisejoe]

All holes are probably pre cut before the side of van is installed, would need to take frame out and fill screw holes and then refix straight

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