New refrigerator in '61 Tradewind

[61 Streamy]

I would like to install a new Dometic RM 3762 in my Airstream. My problem is that the PO removed the original fridge and got rid of it. I do not know what the original installation looked like. The trailer is very original and I still have the contertop for the top of the unit but the left side wall is gone. There is an access door in the outside wall, near the floor, with no vent or louvers. There is no vent through the floor. The PO replaced the floor and might have covered over something. There is a vent hole through the inside wall and a roof vent.
My question is: How is the exhaust gas collected and routed to the wall vent? How is the fresh air vented in? Are you supposed to open the acces door when running on LP?
I realize the new fridge will be taller and I'll have to fabricate a new left side wall.
A picture of an original installation or a something similar to what I'm going to do would be great.

[61 Streamy]

I thought it would be helpful if I added pictures of my current situation.

[samb]

I did something similar in my '61 Safari, but I had the original fridge in place for a "recipe".
The vent hole in the inside wall is for venting the combustion gases only to the channel between the inner and outer skins and out through the roof vent. A vent extension for the combustion gasses was directed to just beneath the hole. A "hood" was riveted to the wall over the hole and down over the extension. This captured the rising gasses and directed them into the channel and out the roof vent. Sounds complicated, but is simple to make and works well.

The cooling air supply for the back of the refer originally entered under the refer at the front and exited through the countertop behind the metal screened area at the back of your countertop. All cooling air entered and exited the refer from the living space. No exterior vent was required. The solid door was only for access for cleaning and inpection.

nmeyer made some improvements when adding a refer to his trailer. You can see some of his work in the thread "How can I get a RV fridge to cool in 100 degree F?" Sorry, I don't know how to make a link.

I would be happy to email some photos of my installation if you think that may help.
Sam

[goransons]

take a look at the belly pan and see if there is a noticable patch there. My 63 safari had a small rectangular hole in the floor with mesh to allow fresh air in. Unfortunately it was directly behind the axle and only a few inches from the tire and obviously had been a problem kicking water up in the trailer so someone added an air intake to the lower access door, but then again my fridge sits on top of the wheel well so the air intake is still several inches below the bottom of the unit.

[61Bambi]

Originally Posted by samb

I did something similar in my '61 Safari, but I had the original fridge in place for a "recipe".
The vent hole in the inside wall is for venting the combustion gases only to the channel between the inner and outer skins and out through the roof vent. A vent extension for the combustion gasses was directed to just beneath the hole. A "hood" was riveted to the wall over the hole and down over the extension. This captured the rising gasses and directed them into the channel and out the roof vent. Sounds complicated, but is simple to make and works well.

The cooling air supply for the back of the refer originally entered under the refer at the front and exited through the countertop behind the metal screened area at the back of your countertop. All cooling air entered and exited the refer from the living space. No exterior vent was required. The solid door was only for access for cleaning and inpection.

nmeyer made some improvements when adding a refer to his trailer. You can see some of his work in the thread "How can I get a RV fridge to cool in 100 degree F?" Sorry, I don't know how to make a link.

I would be happy to email some photos of my installation if you think that may help.
Sam

Hello,

I just read your message. I have the same situation in my 1959 Flying Cloud. I would certainly like to see your pictures.

Jim

[samb]

61Bambi
I am on the road right now and away from my photos. I"ll be back home about July 7th. If I forget to email some photos please remind me. I'll also need your email address. Hope I can help.
Sam

[61Bambi]

Thankyou, that would be great. My email address is: jstewart128@tampabay.rr.com

Have a nice trip.

Jim

[safari62]

Originally Posted by 61 Streamy

I would like to install a new Dometic RM 3762 in my Airstream. My problem is that the PO removed the original fridge and got rid of it. I do not know what the original installation looked like. The trailer is very original and I still have the contertop for the top of the unit but the left side wall is gone. There is an access door in the outside wall, near the floor, with no vent or louvers. There is no vent through the floor. The PO replaced the floor and might have covered over something. There is a vent hole through the inside wall and a roof vent.
My question is: How is the exhaust gas collected and routed to the wall vent? How is the fresh air vented in? Are you supposed to open the acces door when running on LP?
I realize the new fridge will be taller and I'll have to fabricate a new left side wall.
A picture of an original installation or a something similar to what I'm going to do would be great.

Hi Streamy
do you still need photos of a 61' refrigerator for a Tradewind in place? Let Me know.

I replaced our Safari Dometic with a smaller unit and built an enclosed vent where the original vent was. This requires opening the exterior refrigerator access door when it is on. I can also provide photos of this refit if needed.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by safari62

Hi Streamy
do you still need photos of a 61' refrigerator for a Tradewind in place? Let Me know.

I replaced our Safari Dometic with a smaller unit and built an enclosed vent where the original vent was. This requires opening the exterior refrigerator access door when it is on. I can also provide photos of this refit if needed.

The original floor, had a hole in the floor for air intake.

Some models allowed the hot air from the reefer cooling unit, to simply go into the coach.

Other models had a reefer scoop, which vented the hot air to the exterior of the trailer thru a reefer vent cover that was on the roof, which they all do today.

The safest way, is for a "chimney" effect from the reefers top hot coil, thru the reefer scoop, thru a roof vent, with a hole in the floor and thru the underbelly.

The better the chimney, the better the cooling.

Look underneath the coach and see if a underbelly patch was installed below the reefers original location.

Andy

[safari62]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The original floor, had a hole in the floor for air intake.

Some models allowed the hot air from the reefer cooling unit, to simply go into the coach.

Other models had a reefer scoop, which vented the hot air to the exterior of the trailer thru a reefer vent cover that was on the roof, which they all do today.

The safest way, is for a "chimney" effect from the reefers top hot coil, thru the reefer scoop, thru a roof vent, with a hole in the floor and thru the underbelly.

The better the chimney, the better the cooling.

Look underneath the coach and see if a underbelly patch was installed below the reefers original location.

Andy

As streamy's photo in the #2 post shows there is not a floor vent. (although the tiles look like replacements) I recently inspected an 61' Ohio
Tradewind that did not have an original floor vent. This model also had the same dometic that was in my 62' Safari also without a floor vent.

This reefer had a cool air intake at the base of the front door reefer. The hot air was open vented into the cabin and the gas vent via a small pipe, to a small and open hood vent then inside the wall and out of the roof vent.

Of course the floor hole vent arrangement is a big improvement along with enclosing both exiting hot air and gases inside the trailer.

1963 would be my guess as the first year of floor and enclosed interior vents. Possibly California AS started doing this somewhat earlier?

[61 Streamy]

I finally got around to staining the oak plywood, so here it is! I ended up fabricating my own refer duct and cabinet. I added a roof vent and collar (not fun) and a floor vent through the belly (also not fun). As a matter of fact, the whole project was not fun!

[Aage]

Streamy,

It might not have been fun, but it sure looks nice! Good job!

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by 61 Streamy

I finally got around to staining the oak plywood, so here it is! I ended up fabricating my own refer duct and cabinet. I added a roof vent and collar (not fun) and a floor vent through the belly (also not fun). As a matter of fact, the whole project was not fun!

Your work is great. I like the way you put that in with such a custom touch. Gives me ideas....which is always a dangerous proposition! Thanks for sharing it.
Sandy