RV FEATURE
Note the agi-pipe wrapped
around the PVC plumbing.
We also have a close look underneath
the van where wires and plumbing
enter through the floor. They should
be well sealed with silicon to prevent
dust entering through gaps between the
pipes.
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Dust ingress. It doesn’t matter how well
sealed a caravan manufacturer says their
vans are, there will always be open vents
that will allow dust to get inside.
Undoubtedly, a lot of caravanners
cover their fridge vents and the gas
vent commonly found in the door well
(a van with no gas appliances won’t
have this vent) to prevent dust ingress;
however, doing so is not legal so we can’t
recommend this.
Dust will typically enter a van when the
pressure inside is lower than the pressure
outside. A number of aftermarket items,
including bilge blowers, designed to
pressurise the van to keep dust out are
available – it may be worth researching
the options. Scupper hatches, which
allow air to enter the van from the roof
to pressure it while it's under tow, are
commonly fitted to offroad vans; however,
though some people believe they work
well, in my experience these hatches are
pretty useless.
Pack your van sensibly. When packing
food and other items, you have to expect
that they will be subjected to constant
movement when driving along rough dirt
roads. This constant movement causes
packages to rub against other items,
wearing holes in the packaging and
spilling the contents throughout the van.
Try to pack cardboard containers together
and store metal containers in separate
areas. Pack heavy items low and lighter
items in overhead cupboards.
Pack your fridge from the bottom up,
filling the shelves as you go. Store liquid-
filled containers in trays to help contain
any leaks and spills.
Pack sensibly!
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