Cover for exterior refrigerator vents on T@B 320S

Etheridges

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 2017 T@B 320S that has the Norcold N180.3 three-way refrigerator. On one of my trips, I recently lost one of the refrigerator exterior vent covers. These covers seem to be smaller than most based on the research I have done on Amazon, etc.. I have included measurements in the attached photos. I noticed another discussion similar to this one that another member posted. A link was provided to Norcold covers on Amazon. I checked the items at those links and they are not the same as mine (they are bigger). I reached out to my nearest T@B dealer and they said the Nucamp factory no longer carries the bases or covers. There are no part numbers on either the base or the cover. Does anyone know what the part numbers are or what aftermarket covers to buy?

Thanks!
Joel

dragonsdofly

@Etheridges welcome and congratulations on your trailer.

Our resident experts, I'm sure, will have you pointed in the correct direction soon. And, welcome again!

MuttonChops

@Ethenridges, welcome to the TaB Family.

I've also searched the forum and web for the 320S 14 x 7 inch side wall vents with no luck.  Am suspecting that specific size is an OEM only part**.

If nüCamp has no old stock to sell.  You maybe forced to cut a larger access hole for the retail available 20-inch wide panels or create some other DIY solution.

   ** Just like the factory standard fresh water tank fill port installed in the years before the
    Nautilus System became standard. There seems to be generic brand part suppliers located
    in the big RV Factory regions that produce lots of items that differ from Brand Name items
    that are sold directly to builders at non-brand prices of course.  RV Builder then stops
    stocking said parts when no longer used in their rigs.

pthomas745

Why does this have to be a "louvered" vent?  I know that water is an issue, but what other options instead of the louvers are possible? All  the vents are supposed to do is move the warm air from the top of the fridge, and even that is done with a "computer" fan that is pretty wimpy.  Why not just a round hole in a panel in front of the fan?

MuttonChops

pthomas745 said:
. . . Why does this have to be a "louvered" vent?  I know that water is an issue, but what other options instead of the louvers are possible?

IMHO, louvered style panels are the only realistic approach for a rectangle cut-out.  with water (Rain) being the primary and an important factor.

Plus, the original post is for a 'replacement' not a re-design

pthomas745 said:
. . .All the vents are supposed to do is move the warm air from the top of the fridge, and even that is done with a "computer" fan that is pretty wimpy.

Don't believe the "computer fan" is standard on all model years.  Might be for Fridge model 3136 around year 2015/16.  While on the model year 2018, fridge 180.3, then is no fan. (I've added two 3-inch fans to my rig)

pthomas745 said:
. . . Why not just a round hole in a panel in front of the fan?

Fridge model 3136 rigs (some years) did use round vents.
Yet, again original post was how to replace the factory vent panel . . .
and web-search suggests a direct replacement is not available to retail buyers.

Chiprchuk

@Etheridges I had the same issue about a month ago and was able to purchase a replacement from my "local" dealer https://www.vogelsrvs.com/location-and-directions . I just measured my replacement and it seems to be a perfect match to yours. Try a different dealer. Give them a picture and the vin number .... you might luck out.

Etheridges

Hey Chiprchuk, thanks for sharing. Do you per chance know who manufactured the one you purchased? Any part # available?

DM159

I've had some luck with Norcold fridge parts from online RV part sources in Great Britain.  I don't remember their names but there are plenty. 

Chiprchuk

@Etheridges I just checked both parts. Frame and cover. No marking what soever  period. Sorry. 

Etheridges

@Chiprchuk Thanks for checking.

BlackBurnian

Unbelievable. Seems like this is an issue with the older t@bs. My vent cover just flew off yesterday going down the interstate. Would be nice to find a replacement ASAP. Sooooo.... It is a problem. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

BrianZ

Guess I'd better look into securing these vents, so when those pitiful little black plastic twist knobs that loosely hold it on fail, then the cover won't fall off.  I do have a couple spare knobs because they seem so loose fitting.  I've also got a custom insect screen inside...
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8261/permanent-screens-for-exterior-vents-mud-daubers-and-other-insects

Chiprchuk

@BlackBurnian I would try calling a dealership... As I mentioned earlier, I had the same issue about a month ago and was able to purchase a replacement from my "local" dealer https://www.vogelsrvs.com/location-and-directions. Provide a picture and the vin number .... you might luck out. 

Etheridges

Hello all, after having no luck working with two Nucamp dealers, a Camping World, and a local RV parts shop, I was able to get my hands on some of these and thought I would pass along information that might be useful to others.

These fit the 2017 T@B 320S with the Norcold 180.3 three way refrigerator.

First, the part number. It is Norcold 638406PW. In talking to the parts desk at the Nucamp factory, Nucamp no longer has these available and is not able to purchase them. However, they were able to provide me with the exact part number above.

I then went to Amazon and did a search for the part number and found them on Amazon. Here is one example of an Amazon seller : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M82QVXH?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_JFQA1Q7Z15252RTE30T5&language=en-US

They run about $35 +tax and it comes with both the base and the cover.

I ordered one set to make sure they were the exact ones, which they were. I ordered a second just to have a backup if needed in the future.

Hope that helps someone else out there!

pthomas745

@Etheridges way to dig!  I skimmed through ebay on these, but could not get past a different part number.  But, you finding the part number brought up the same seller at ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/295092849459?epid=25035023602&hash=item44b4e78b33:g:n00AAOSw~LJizz1g&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAAwGBlWcYSbdDUzHvHca7flpBfZUao8FEvXGtkTreSHDJIKbP6L2ETwQiyAwwhlTSXC/gYN+dSCsk99AqhwN4OEQB3y4g7rsrrpZESmb3BFW3SGW1M9KebXRF3VwJort3KOxZM6iBhqOa5w8axvE6kq6BUOAeY64jDvEBLgt0XSV/a6x9Rrz4BfG8KzGcWmT2IoA3D0QH7mB277iMsoNpv71QbdM2sk7ZYEg+LYSH8JOVbz3o02nIE6sHKwAfskc5Tow==|tkp:Bk9SR4C38MiAYw

Chiprchuk

Wow - I must have gotten the last one from Nucamp 

MuttonChops

Etheridges said:
. . . T@B 320S with the Norcold 180.3 three way refrigerator.

First, the part number. It is Norcold 638406PW.

Great 'share'.

And nice to know I was wrong (earlier comment) that these covers were OEM only/special.
We can order them - - even if the retail suppliers are limited in sources and stock - -

MuttonChops

@Etheridges ; after all your hard work . . . . .

nuCamp is selling this door Direct From Their Web-Site

//shop.nucamprv.com    {not an active link}

Jessicainanrv

I am also in need of one of these covers. I have made every attempt to get one. However, the manufacturer no longer is making them and they are all sold on ebay. 

Does anyone on here have an extra they would be willing to sell?

Sharon_is_SAM

@Jessicainanrv - the links below appear to have stock.  The first one is on sale which can offset the shipping.  I would grab one of these.

https://tentandanchor.com/products/vent-door-assembly-pw

https://www.americaautodirect.com/norcold-638406pw-vent-door-assembly-pw/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275858417136

Jessicainanrv

I wish I would have seen this comment earlier. I never received any notification. Thank you for your help.. Unfortunately, they are all out as well now. I think I am going to have to find a way to makeshift my own cover.. fingers crossed 

rcarlson1957

@pthomas745 - I put two computer fans behind that vent and a controller above the frig door and it really helps with heat dissipation for the frig when it's hot out for the 3 way frig. 

terichen

Our Norcold vent flew off our 2018 Tab 320s. We tried to order from many places including Nucamp. Not available. What can we do?

Sharon_is_SAM

@terichen - see above posts.  3 D printer?

Sharon_is_SAM

Groupe Alliance in Quebec Carrie’s them.  Ask for Pierre Lair. 

I am sharing this info for those still looking for a frig vent cover.  Thank you terichen.

Chiprchuk

Contact info for them is Général: (844) 338-9080

1875 Chemin de Chambly, Carignan, QC, J3L 4N4, Canada

Carolfish

Has anybody found a way to install a vent cover for the Norcold Frig? There are 2 vents (same size of approximately 15”x 8”) with white plastic covers, on the passenger sidewall, just in front of the door. Lost one on the interstate, and used cardboard and duct tape as temporary fix (removing when parked and refrigerator on). I’ve been told the part number is 638406PW BUT NuCamp says no longer available, and no dealers I’ve contacted have them either. Any one else come up with a creative solution? Sheet metal? I’d post a picture for info but haven’t figured that out on this site yet.  Thank you.

Sharon_is_SAM

@Carolfish - I moved your post over here.  Please see the above posts, especially the recent February info.

KarrieK

2018 320s lost one of our vents on our drive home from dealer doing other maintenance.  Dealer can’t find any, I’ve scoured the internet and…. Nothing.  Currently using a home vent cover (metal) secured w zip ties.  I must say after 3000 miles w this setup, I’m pretty happy w it.

pthomas745

There are several people over on the FB pages with vast 3d printing experience, CAD, etc.  They can fabricate practically any of these various vents and ports and plastic things on these trailers...but....to do this, they need to have the actual vent and bracket in hand to make precise measurements.  If anyone can provide the bracket and maybe a  vent cover (if it hasn't flown away!) please send me a message and I can get you in touch with this 3d printer person (a new Tab owner).

Did anyone follow up with Sharon_is_Sam's suggestion above?

3DPrintGuy246

Hi! Im new here, and I recently reversed engineered the vent cover (for a 2018 NuCamp T@B 320 S) and 3D printed a test and it works great!
If you're interested please let me know.

The cover needs to be printed in 2 pieces, and glued together due to size limitations of my 3D printer. 

I can also print these in black. If you want a different color, let me know 

Heres what I would charge: 

Labor/Materials = $80 (+Shipping)

(Hardware included)