Dryer Vent Cap Replacement

It seems that every time we looked at another system on the truck, we found things where the builder attempted to re-invent an already tried and true design. In this case, it was the exit point for the laundry dryer vent. Really, why make something more complicated when the best way is usually the simplest? Dozens of different vent covers are manufactured on this continent alone, yet the builder ignores these in favour of something that is totally inappropriate.

Our dryer exhaust was installed so it went through the floor and blew out into the rear wheel well area. It was the straightest route for the 3" dryer hose, and a pretty good place to route it. So not a bad idea. Unfortunately, the sound logic used to determine the exit path, was now tossed aside. Instead of buying a proper vent cap with a swinging flap closure, one like those that are used everywhere to keep bugs, birds and animals from getting inside, they use the same inappropriate boating vent cap that they used on the microwave roof vent.

Sure the vent cap is stainless steel, and fairly robust, but just like the roof, it needs to be opened and closed manually for use. Which means you have to remember to do that. If you leave it open, then unwanted things can come in, and if you screw it shut, then the dryer won't be able to expel the hot moist air. But here's the really brilliant bit. The cap for the vent is shaped like a mushroom top. When it's upright like a mushroom, it sheds water that falls on it. But if you turn it upside down, and install it to the underside of our camper body, in the front corner of the wheel well, the mushroom cap now acts like a bucket and catches all the cast off debris from the rear tires. One drive down a dirty road, and the exit vent is plugged with mud and who knows what else. What's worse, is that to open or close the vent, one has to reach in two feet from the side of the truck to access it. So if the truck is all dirty, it's a good bet that our clothes will also be a mess by the time we're done.

Instead of spending $50 to $60 on a stainless marine deck fitting that won't work, they could have bought a proper upside down dryer vent like the one on the right for $10.00

All that had to be done to finish this job off correctly, was to screw it in place under the cabin floor, and then fabricate a simple metal deflector to protect it from the flying rocks that's flung off the tires. 

And that's exactly what we had to do. The best solutions aren't always the expensive ones.