Wanted-- Fridge vent cover for Birchaven ~ 20" x 12

[timthenomad]

Hi All,

My side refrigerator vent door went missing and I am looking to replace it. It is for the Birchaven and is a little smaller than 20" x 12"(19 7/8 x
11 3/4 I think --Dometic Part #RM2217). I believe it is smaller than the Royal ones which run around 22x14 (Dometic #RM2214).

I checked with most all of the vendors and did a pretty through web search. Nobody seemed to have one. Just thought I'd hit up the list to see if
anyone has something that will work kicking around,

Thank you

Tim Taylor
--
Tim Taylor
Austin TX
76 Birchaven (SB)
76 Triumph TR6

 

[Ken B]

Tim, Did you talk to Jim K. at Applied GMC? He told me a few years back that he had several different sizes that he could get or had in stock.

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[timthenomad]

Hi Ken,

I called Applied, the Sirum's, Cinnabar, sent the co-opt an email. I might have even called Gateway.

Jim didn't have the Dometic aluminum cover in the right size (he does have the Royal one). He does have one of the newer plastic covers in a size
that could be made to work on the Birch, but one would have to remover the frame and expand the hole some.

--tim
--
Tim Taylor
Austin TX
76 Birchaven (SB)
76 Triumph TR6

 

[timthenomad]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to follow up and post a resolution here in case anyone finds themselves in similar situation.

I was able to fabricate a pretty convincing replica for around $18.00 by ordering a return air grill off of amazon. The size was perfect, just had to
bondo and sand the two screw holes, install the thumb latch, and paint it to match.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017BW6FX0/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UC8U30/

They have all kind of sizes. I imagine one could do the same and make a Royal sized one, or a propane vent door. Just keep in mind they list them
according to vent size. The actual size of the grille is about 1" bigger around so that 18x10 one is actually just about 19.75" x 11.75"
--
Tim Taylor
Austin TX
76 Birchaven (SB)
76 Triumph TR6

 

[Joe Weir]

Tim,

I used one of the plastic ones from Jim. It is larger, and I did have to shave off the inside framing, but it is plastic and was easy to do. I did
not have to modify the opening on the coach in any way, so if I wanted to go back I could. I did have to make a bracket for the latches to use, but
that was a 12" length of aluminum angle and some dremel work.

Once you remove the inside framing of the plastic door frame, it conforms to the curve of the coach, and IMHO,, looks more original than that factory
door did.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/adventures/p57979-contoured-fridge-access-door.html

The vents in the door itself fit inside the opening, and the frame has enough depth to secure the tabs on the door without disturbing the surface of
the coach. I used puty tape to position it, and then ran some screws to fasten the frame to the surface - much the same way the original was
fastened.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/adventures/p57981-very-rough-opening-with-framing.html

It appears from my rough opening that my original door was installed at 4:59 on Friday afternoon...

good luck on the quest.

> Hi Ken,
>
> I called Applied, the Sirum's, Cinnabar, sent the co-opt an email. I might have even called Gateway.
>
> Jim didn't have the Dometic aluminum cover in the right size (he does have the Royal one). He does have one of the newer plastic covers in a size
> that could be made to work on the Birch, but one would have to remover the frame and expand the hole some.
>
> --tim

--
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen
guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.