Refrigerator Upper Vent Opening

When I attended the Hi Lo Rally a couple of months ago I learned that my refrigerator fan needed to be replaced. The original one installed by Hi Lo was gone and the previous owner had installed a ventilation fan kit which I see is available at Camping World. It was mounted incorrectly and did not work so I decided with some great advice from Retiredcamper47 to install a new fan correctly. That's finished and it works like a charm with NO noise.

Today I started closing up the upper refirgerator vent openings. There is (or was) a plastic insert in the opening. Upon investigation I noticed wet wood under the bottom of the insert. Yes Hi Lo put 5 or 6 tubes of caulk around the insert but as I started digging the caulk out I discovered more and more wet wood. Apparently water was getting under the plastic insert. So I've decided to "rework" that opening. I don't see any rotten wood yet but it is wet. Some thoughts to repair is after it drys out to paint the bear wood to seal it. May use some flashing to cover the wood before I reinstall the plastic insert.

Just thought I'd pass along what I found and warn others that there is bear wood (non painted) under that plastic insert and water can get in to the wood.

If anyone has suggestions for sealing I'd appreciate it and thank you in advance. Will be waiting a few days until it drys out. May put a fan blowing on it so it will speed the process.
Have a great day and God Bless
Papa

Be careful with the water hose when washing your trailer, it is easy to blow water in the upper or lower vents. Don't know what the plastic piece is as neither of my Hi-Lo's have that. Both are dry in that area. Check the roof good for leaks. Just seal the vent cover good. Do what ever you want to the exposed wood.

What to seal wet wood ref vent.

When the wod is dry,I would stain the wood. Stain will seal and protect. Then I would use Thompsons water seal. Maybe if you have some bondo left from another project. This would give you a hard finish/seal.

A good coat of urethane would take care of the problem.

Bob

Sealing wood

Sam and Bob,
Thanks for the tips. The wood was not rotted yet and seems to be solid but it is wet. So I'll wait until it drys out completely. Thinking about sealing the wood and then covering it with flashing then put the plastic insert back in the hole. And of course caulk. May come up with a different approach as I go along.
Sam see where you are from Niagara Falls,NY and since you mentioned Thompson water seal let me ask you a questioin. How do they get the Thompson's water seal on the decks at Niagra Falls. They always show on the TV commerical water just pouring on the deck. I've often wondered how they cut the water off to apply the Thompson's? Must be Hollywood?
Thanks again gentlemen.
God Bless
Papa

Thompsons water seal on the deck at Niagara Falls

I don't know the answer to your question. However, my husbands nephew works for the Maid of the Mist Boat Co. I know he mentioned doing this mainteniance item. I will have have DH call and ask him.

Thompsons water seal applied to the deck at Niagara Falls.

Dh said the deck at the Cave of the Winds would get totally destroyed with the winter weather. The maintenance crew takes the entire deck /wood structure down for the winter. They have a huge shop where they save any part of the wood structure that is savable. I was told they rebuild it over the winter and treat it with Thompsons water seal. Probably buy it in 55 Gallon drums. Then in the spring they reassemble it. Probably have all the blueprints/measurements. If it is good enough for Niagara Falls then it is surely good for your HiLo!! On a personal note we use Thompsons water seal every year to treat all treated lumber structures on our front porch.back steps and base of shed. Our colonial porch looks brand new and the water always beads up. Installed in 1995.

Thanks

Sam,
Thanks for the history lesson. The wife keeps telling me we need hook up the Hi Lo and visit Niagara Falls. She has seen it in a previous life. She says I'd love it. Being from the south I would never have thought that they have to remove those decks because of ice. Very interesting. Thompsons water seal must be some good stuff. Sounds like they trust and you do to. Thanks again for the information.
God Bless
papa

Road trip to Niagara Falls

I feel a road trip coming on for you!! Send me a PM and I promise you I "will be the hostest with the mostest." With all the drought conditions we have been having some farmers have plowed their corn fields under. Corn is used in the ethenol for our gasoline. I have seen the price of gaoline jump up ten cents this week. The price of everything is predicted to go up. Glad all over again we have the HiLo. We'll see what next years traveling season brings.!!

Falls

Sam,
Thanks we'll keep that in mind. Afraid we're so hot here that travel is off until cooler temps. It's too hot to pack the trailer to go anywhere. So we'll be looking for a fall trip and the wife might get her wishes.
God Bless
Papa

Trip to Niagara Falls,NY

Right now our temps are running about 80 to 85 with some nice breezes. If you decide to come in the fall the tourist attractions will be less crowded. Had a chance to take the bus the other day and the city was very packed out with tourists.Lots to do even if the weather is rainy. The weather man said it will be warm including all of OCt.