dust ingress coromal o/road caravan

Submitted: Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 16:03

ThreadID: 88981 Views:5454 Replies:7 FollowUps:1

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Member - john y

G'day everyone,
I own a coromal PC511 o/road caravan fitted with a roof pressure hatch which is designed to stop dust ingress on dirt roads As I understand it you open the hatch prior to travelling on the dirt and the van becomes pressurised inside thus stopping dust entry when you hit the unmade road.
That's the theory but in practice for us it does not work as we always end up with a dusty interior.The dealer has been over the van and sealed any spots where dust ingress was indicated or looks likely.It would seem to me that the theory is somewhat flawed as surely if you had to reduce speed on a dirt road in a dusty environment[road trains] the pressure in the van would fall and upon acceleration dirty air would then flow into the van.

I wonder if any other coromal owners have experienced the same problem and could offer any advice ? Regards jonh y

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Reply By: John B - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 16:16

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 16:16

Had this problem in my new (then) Coromal excel 511 pop top travelling 120klm to Arkaroola S.A. all dirt and gravel.
I had the steel wheel arches sealed under cupboards where the dust came in
the metal folded edges were pop riveted but not sealed with silicone.
All fixed under warranty.Not problems since although I do not travel a lot of dirt roads.

AnswerID: 464806

Reply By: Member - Tom L (WA) - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:10

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:10

Hi John, I had one of those vents fitted to my old Jayco pop-top. The theory I guess is fine but the practice is somewhat different. For those vents to be effective you need to be travelling at least 80kmh. There are many circumstances where that speed is too fast. Consequently the air vent works more like a vacuum pump.
Rgds., Tom

AnswerID: 464808

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:54

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:54

Don't forget to cover the door vent while mobile on dirt - we do that, plus we have a scoop over the scupper - dust free travell for us, on the dirtiest of roads. The only exception is the case of dust plumes from passing traffic - best one can do is slow down or stop, untill it clears.

AnswerID: 464813

Reply By: Jarse - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 18:10

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 18:10

John, in theory it works, assuming that the dust that you're encountering is below the opening of the scupper vent on the roof of your caravan. If it's above that (which it will be when passing opposite direction vehicles, or following closely behind others), then the dust will be scooped straight into your van.....

AnswerID: 464815

Follow Up By: Member Boroma 604 - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 12:31

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 12:31

Gooday,Yes they do work if set up properly. First caravan we had was a 16ft6in Coromal PopTop, worked a treat. Current caravan, 6 years now, 21ft full van had a measly 6X4in vent on front slope, totally inadequate. Had two more fitted approx 9X5in, tape over vent at bottom of door and a couple of other vents while travelling and it works a treat. You need to be able to get sufficient pressure build up inside to stop the vacuum action. Other solution is to have a good efficient fan fitted inside the caravan, operated from the tow vehicle if you like and do it that way. Have heard about them but not seen one in action or in the flesh. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Boroma604.

FollowupID: 738827

Reply By: Member - Bill B1 (NSW) - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 19:06

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 19:06

I was told that they do not work well on flat roof poptops. The best place for them is on a full van and the front sloped roof.

Thats why I didn't get one!

Bill

Bill B

Member
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AnswerID: 464825

Reply By: Ian & Sue - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 21:34

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 21:34

We have a Coromal PC541 (2008) off roader, travelled up to Cape York last year and many hundreds of dirt road kilometers here in the West. Scuppeer hatch up on the dirt, no problems at all with dust coming in. Others up the Cape couldnt believe how clean the inside of our van stays.

Cheers

Sue

Karratha WA

AnswerID: 464854