outside cover for CoolCat AC vent T@b400

jimcenname
jimcenname Member Posts: 346
edited November 2020 in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
I keep the outside AC vent on my 400 covered when not in use or when towing. Previously I used the snap-on canvas cover NuCamp provided aided by tape so it wouldn't come off while driving. Removing and replacing it got old since I tape it in place. I created a slide-frame for a slide in panel by fastening three 3/4-inch aluminum angles to the top, bottom and front of the vent. I then slid a Coroplast panel into place to cover the vent. The photo shows it prior to application of paint for a white matching finish. I drilled condensation drain holes in the bottom angle to match the existing holes in the vent. I used sheetmetal screws to attach the angles to the vent.  

As a side note. Notice the white band around the perimeter of the two round windows. To repair water leaks NuCamp cut the black decal away from the window's perimeter and sealed the windows with white caulk. NuCamp service said the windows leaked because the black decal moved too much when it got hot, breaking the seal of the black caulk against the window. 

2019 T@B400
TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
Southern California
Full-timer since 2019
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Comments

  • Dona
    Dona Member Posts: 35
    Love this. I’m assuming the “plastic” has to be a very tight fit to prevent vibrations from jiggling it out because you don’t mention anything on the 4th side.  What did you use to cut the plastic so precisely? And while I’m at it, what did you use to cut the metal?  I’d love to try this, but I’m afraid I don’t have the right tools and then it’ll look like #*$%.  Thank you!
    Dona & Ben / 2019 T@B 400, no solar, 2008 Tundra / Boise
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    Jim,  I like the white ring around the windows!  Great idea for the vent cover.  
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • DenisP
    DenisP Member Posts: 542
    Jim, really nice job an elegant solution. I made a rigid cover for my Coolcat for the same reason and it has worked well for the last couple of years for travel and storage. I used materials on hand so my attachment is different but as with any modification there are many ways to approach it. 
    2018 T@b 400, 200ah Lithium with Solar
    2013 Tundra TRD 5.7L
    Massachusetts
  • DanManz
    DanManz Member Posts: 81
    @jimcenname and @DenisP - I like both of your solutions.  Back up and explain to me why we cover this vent anyway?  We live in VT and rarely use the AC.  Are we trying to keep dust out, mice out, moisture out or something else?  The original vinyl cover that came with the trailer got stained and discolored pretty quickly so I've just been leaving it off.  Is that hurting anything?

    Dan and Liz    2019 TAB 400 BDL    2010 Toyota Tacoma V6 4WD TRD Sport
  • jimcenname
    jimcenname Member Posts: 346
    I keep my t@b very clean. I don't want dirt, dust, road grime to enter the ac vent. Especially when I'm towing it. 
    2019 T@B400
    TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    Southern California
    Full-timer since 2019
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    @DanManz, the cool spring, fall and winter air comes into the vent and then cools down the inside, so I kept my cover on when it was below 50*. 

    Also, during heavy rain, the tire spray from trucks could enter the Cool Cat vent. Depending on the severity of the rain, you may need to clean it up. (I never did remember to put the cover on for severe rain and never had any rain water inside.)
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • VictoriaP
    VictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    @DanManz I have a 320 with the high side mount AC. Made a similar cover both for drafts and to keep mud dauber wasps from trying to nest on or worse yet, in! the AC area. Around here, they’re always hunting for places to build.
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
  • ChrisFix
    ChrisFix Member Posts: 743
    jimcenname said:
    As a side note. Notice the white band around the perimeter of the two round windows. To repair water leaks NuCamp cut the black decal away from the window's perimeter and sealed the windows with white caulk. NuCamp service said the windows leaked because the black decal moved too much when it got hot, breaking the seal of the black caulk against the window. 
    Nucamp must have realized this issue after your model year...
    on my 2021, the decal is cut back from the windows, with white caulking - just like yours looks now.
    2025 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon with 400Ah Battle Born and Victron Multiplus 3000
    2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition with Redarc Trailer Brake Controller
  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    I doubt mice can get in through the CoolCat back vent, the screen mesh is too fine, but mud dabblers, dust and water can.  A good cover is a grand idea.
    cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • jimcenname
    jimcenname Member Posts: 346
    @Dona, I used scissors to cut the coroplast to size. Those two edges aren't perfectly straight but they're hidden once I slide it into the frame. I used a hand held hack saw to cut the aluminum to length. The 45 degree cuts for the mitered corners are not perfect so I filled the gaps with caulk. The coroplast fits just snug enough.  @DenisP, I like your decorations. I bought an extra coroplast cover so my grandkids can do finger painting or something to decorate mine.
    2019 T@B400
    TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    Southern California
    Full-timer since 2019
  • DenisP
    DenisP Member Posts: 542
    Thanks Jim.  I have been using the cover to record our National Park adventures with stickers.  The 400 artwork was an experiment.
    2018 T@b 400, 200ah Lithium with Solar
    2013 Tundra TRD 5.7L
    Massachusetts
  • jimcenname
    jimcenname Member Posts: 346
    edited November 2020
    A photo of the top 3/4 inch aluminum angle installed to retain coroplast over the AC cover. 


    2019 T@B400
    TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    Southern California
    Full-timer since 2019
  • JeffroNC
    JeffroNC Member Posts: 366
    Thanks for the photo. It clears things up for. I'm off to Lowes!
    2019 T@B 400 BDL 2017 F150 3.5L Ecoboost
    Jeff & Amy
    Now in Manistee, MI

  • Governor
    Governor Member Posts: 14
    Jim, that's slick!
  • jimcenname
    jimcenname Member Posts: 346
    @DenisP
    You inspired me to make my AC cover personal. My grandkids helped. 
    2019 T@B400
    TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    Southern California
    Full-timer since 2019
  • DenisP
    DenisP Member Posts: 542
    @jimcenname  Nice job with the Artwork. 
    2018 T@b 400, 200ah Lithium with Solar
    2013 Tundra TRD 5.7L
    Massachusetts
  • ReenieG
    ReenieG Member Posts: 283
    edited December 2020
    I have a 320S. They're way too proud of their vent cover. I like the mods you all have made for a fraction of the cost. I think I'll attempt one from your mods.. Granted, it's not diamond plate but it's also not over $300! LOL 
    https://teardropshop.com/products/t-b-320-a-c-vent-door?variant=12160755990592

    2018 T@B 320S / 2024 Chevy Blazer RS AWD / Phoenix, AZ
  • PMW
    PMW Member Posts: 1
    Thank you for this post. We just bought a 2016 320S Sofitel, and I was perplexed the air conditioner vent wasn't covered. Your post gives my husband some ideas on how to cover that vent. 
  • Slackers
    Slackers Member Posts: 490
    We also did the Plexiglas for our 320 CSS.  It was easy and works well.  
    2019 Tab 320 CSS, 2019 Ranger TV, OH
  • SgtYork
    SgtYork Member Posts: 34
    Thanks jimcenname! My first mod


  • jimcenname
    jimcenname Member Posts: 346
    @SgtYork, it looks great. Did you have any trouble get the coroplast to fit snuggly?
    2019 T@B400
    TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    Southern California
    Full-timer since 2019
  • jimcenname
    jimcenname Member Posts: 346
    @SgtYork, where's your black tank flush hose connection?
    2019 T@B400
    TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    Southern California
    Full-timer since 2019
  • SgtYork
    SgtYork Member Posts: 34
    jimcenname said:
    @SgtYork, it looks great. Did you have any trouble get the coroplast to fit snuggly?
    I put #8 stainless screws in place of the snap and screws. Made a tight fit when putting the cover in and out.
     
  • SgtYork
    SgtYork Member Posts: 34
    jimcenname said:
    @SgtYork, where's your black tank flush hose connection?
    It has the Nautilus Water Management System with the flush connection on the panel.
  • DanWeitzel
    DanWeitzel Member Posts: 70
    Did this to our 2016 320Qmax. 
    2016 T@B 320 Qmax, 2020 KIA Sorento, The Woodlands, TX
  • kmulh
    kmulh Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2021
    @SgtYork That looks great.  Can you leave it in while driving or will it slip out the back.  We are in a stink bug area and I'm worried about them infesting the AC vent, do you think that is sealed enough to keep the things out?
    2021 T@B 400 BD
    2020 F150 3.5 ecoboost
    Columbus, OH
  • SgtYork
    SgtYork Member Posts: 34
    kmuth  INot sure. the screws hold the cover tight but also there is a gap  the screw heads create. 

  • Jake_Elwood_and_us
    Jake_Elwood_and_us Member Posts: 65
    We just picked our 'never used' 1 year old 400BD on Monday 5/23 and are heading out 5/26 for a 4 night trial run. This forum and other searching has proved invaluable. The previous owner had it a year and didn't remember too much from the walk through. I was wondering when to use the snap on cover for the A/C, while driving? All the time except when using the A/C?
    Thanks.

    2021 T@B400 BD  2000 4x4 Tundra 2021 Ford 150 STX 2.7 ecoboost, Calif. coastal-sand & redwoods
  • Blueespy
    Blueespy Member Posts: 280
    Jake_Elwood_and_us said:
    We just picked our 'never used' 1 year old 400BD on Monday 5/23 and are heading out 5/26 for a 4 night trial run. This forum and other searching has proved invaluable. The previous owner had it a year and didn't remember too much from the walk through. I was wondering when to use the snap on cover for the A/C, while driving? All the time except when using the A/C?
    Thanks.


    I've traveled with the snap on cover several times and never had an issue.  I read in this forum, another t@b owner does the same and never had an issue.  I have thought adding velcro along the cover and frame to reinforce the snaps while traveling.  We did 3-months (Fl to AK) and didn't use the cover as often as we should have so when we got home, I lifted the seat cover and used a heavy vac to really clean the area.  I do a partial cleaning in this area after every trip - wash the air filter, vac, etc.  I think the vent cover is effective in keeping the dirt out.

    Haven 220

    2026 Ford F150 Tremor 5.0

    Niceville, Florida

  • Jake_Elwood_and_us
    Jake_Elwood_and_us Member Posts: 65
    Thanks Blueespy, one more thing I can check off the list!
    2021 T@B400 BD  2000 4x4 Tundra 2021 Ford 150 STX 2.7 ecoboost, Calif. coastal-sand & redwoods

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