I lost my fridge access, vent panel

[wavery]

I have a 2002 Coleman Fleetwood Tacoma. It as a Dometic 12v- 120v propane Fridge.

I was camping this weekend and lost the ventilated access panel for the fridge. It is 18 3/4" x 9" .

I called the dealer and they wanted $50 for the thing.

Does anyone know where I can buy one of those things at a better price? That is a super rip-off.

[Old Goat]

I have a friend who lost a fridge vent on his Santa Fe last year.. Instead of paying an outrageous price for a new one we went to Lowes and found an aluminum louvere which is almost the same size as the lost vent...I made a wood frame for it using 1X2 inch clear stock, no knots... Put a  1/4" radius on all the outside edges and painted it white with urethane paint. Fastened it to the side with  four oval head stainless steel screws, one at each corner... Looks really good........If you want to do this and need some help, let me know......

[AustinBoston]

I have a friend who lost a fridge vent on his Santa Fe last year.. Instead of paying an outrageous price for a new one we went to Lowes and found an aluminum louvere which is almost the same size as the lost vent...I made a wood frame for it using 1X2 inch clear stock, no knots... Put a  1/4" radius on all the outside edges and painted it white with urethane paint. Fastened it to the side with  four oval head stainless steel screws, one at each corner... Looks really good........If you want to do this and need some help, let me know......

That sounds like about what I would do.

Another option is to try to find a used panel from a junker pop-up.

It's not the dealer's doing.  Post litigation storm, Fleetwood has raised it's price for parts by about 100%. :swear:

I've decided I can live with the cracks in the cover of my front storage bin.

Austin

[vjm1639]

https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com/newstore/nojava/showprod.cfm?ID=1580&refid=80FB0FA8%2D7948%2D44C9%2DA84BBAA8BAB4FC22

 
try this link...or just do a search online for rv parts...I use to have a really big catalog of RV parts that someone on here had recommended.  I can't remember the name of it now, however, that vent cover is one of the things I had noticed a HUGE difference in price in.  The dealer had commented on replacing them for a large amount (closer to what your dealer had said) however, i found they were $15 - $20  in the catalog.  About $15 in this link, but not sure which size you need.

[wavery]

https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com/newstore/nojava/showprod.cfm?ID=1580&refid=80FB0FA8%2D7948%2D44C9%2DA84BBAA8BAB4FC22

 
try this link...or just do a search online for rv parts...I use to have a really big catalog of RV parts that someone on here had recommended.  I can't remember the name of it now, however, that vent cover is one of the things I had noticed a HUGE difference in price in.  The dealer had commented on replacing them for a large amount (closer to what your dealer had said) however, i found they were $15 - $20  in the catalog.  About $15 in this link, but not sure which size you need.

Thanks for the tip and the link. I did a Google search and didn't come up with my size (18 3/4" x 9").

I have a piece of white 1/4" plexiglass that I cut to fit. I plan on putting a couple of 12v computer fans in it to assist ventilation. However, I just like to keep the trailer original as possible so I would still like to find the correct one (without spending $50 on it).

[SkipP]

Thanks for the tip and the link. I did a Google search and didn't come up with my size (18 3/4" x 9").
 
I have a piece of white 1/4" plexiglass that I cut to fit. I plan on putting a couple of 12v computer fans in it to assist ventilation. However, I just like to keep the trailer original as possible so I would still like to find the correct one (without spending $50 on it).

The first time I lost mine, it set me back $35-40 for a new one. One of the reasons for the cost is that it's sold as a hatch AND frame. Anyone need a brand new fridge access frame? A nice young lady told me that "something" fell off the camper a little ways back so I turned around and went back to see. I saw a white object in the middle of the road and then I saw a car run over it. That cover is NOT unbreakable!
 
The second time I lost the cover, we had traveled about 15 miles from the CG and I realized it was missing when I stopped to gas up. A minute later, a gentleman pulled into the gas station and said; "I think your cover is right around the corner there". I immediately ran over and sure enough, there it sat in the middle of the road! The approaching pick up wasn't too far away and the thought of plunking down another $40 made me run out and recover the cover. Whew!
 
In addition to the standard clips that attach the cover, my new one now sports some velcro squares in the bottom corners...just in case I do something stupid (again).
 
Wavery, the fan will be much more effective if it pushes (or pulls) air through the fins. I think there are some pics on my Webshots site.

[wavery]

The first time I lost mine, it set me back $35-40 for a new one. One of the reasons for the cost is that it's sold as a hatch AND frame. Anyone need a brand new fridge access frame? A nice young lady told me that "something" fell off the camper a little ways back so I turned around and went back to see. I saw a white object in the middle of the road and then I saw a car run over it. That cover is NOT unbreakable!
 
The second time I lost the cover, we had traveled about 15 miles from the CG and I realized it was missing when I stopped to gas up. A minute later, a gentleman pulled into the gas station and said; "I think your cover is right around the corner there". I immediately ran over and sure enough, there it sat in the middle of the road! The approaching pick up wasn't too far away and the thought of plunking down another $40 made me run out and recover the cover. Whew!
 
In addition to the standard clips that attach the cover, my new one now sports some velcro squares in the bottom corners...just in case I do something stupid (again).
 
Wavery, the fan will be much more effective if it pushes (or pulls) air through the fins. I think there are some pics on my Webshots site.

Thanks a lot for all of the helpful hints.

I just got one on eBay that I can mofify:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4591771610&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

The Velcro tabs are a GREAT idea. I will be sure to put those on my new one. Thanks a lot for the tip.

[fredthedog]

I've not been able to find this white louvered Dometic access panel (~19" W x ~9" H) anywhere.  It looks identical to the ones listed in the RV parts catalogs and eBay but is slightly smaller.  Aside from the dealer who wants $50 for this, does anyone have any other source suggestions?  I'm reluctant to make a door as it will look too homemade and my trailer might get laughed at by the other trailers out there.  It's a 2004 Fleetwood/Coleman Santa Fe with a slight complex.  Thanks.

[my toys]

I have a 2006 rv accessories catalog from a local dealer.  They have an aluminum vent 3 row, 24 louvers, 8 1/2 x 18 1/2 for $6.49.  You might give them a call to see if it would work.  Ansley RV 1 800 231 9817.

[wavery]

I have a 2006 rv accessories catalog from a local dealer.  They have an aluminum vent 3 row, 24 louvers, 8 1/2 x 18 1/2 for $6.49.  You might give them a call to see if it would work.  Ansley RV 1 800 231 9817.

Thanks for the thought. I just called him and he thought that I was smoking something :eyecrazy: .

He says that he doesn't carry anything that size and you won't find a "Refer Vent" for under $50.

[my toys]

I guess the vents placed their own ad in the catalog.  Sorry it didn't help.

[wavery]

I guess the vents placed their own ad in the catalog.  Sorry it didn't help.

I appreciate the thought and the phone call was free Never hurts to try.

I made a panel and it looks and works good. However, there is nothing like having the original one........just not for $50 :p

[Recumbentman]

Hello Waverly
here are two other sources you can try
Colaw RV
and
tent rebuilder
good luck  

[fredthedog]

After searching and searching online w/o success and calling the local Fleetwood dealer who wanted $50, I found a new one for $26 through a local RV appliance dealer (http://www.aaarv.net/).  Fits perfectly my Santa Fe w/ a Dometic fridge.