Chinook RV

On I-64 outside of O'Fallon Ill, my AC Shroud decided it wanted to go it's own way (up and off).

I can't believe how expensive that replacement plastic shroud was.

Shrouds were $100 at Camping World when mine took a flight. Not bad considering how much thick material there is in one. The reason the AC covers fail is the UV damage and age. They are typically forgotten about up there (out of sight, out of mind). I had visually inspected mine just prior to it departing and the 4 bolt holes looked structurally sound but I should have replaced it just based on age. The plastic gets brittle and all it takes to go from looking OK to become a flying hazard is a good highway crosswind. Be sure to use the correct screws to mount the shroud, don't overtighten them to the point of distorting the plastic around the screws, and use some LocTite on the screws as an extra precaution. The LocTite probably won't help much as the screws are more of a sheetmetal screw than a machine screw but what the heck.

I put some stainless washers on therewhen I was working on my ac. Just seemed like the screws needed more surface area.

Great suggestion, Manitou. Distributing the pressure over a larger area with the washers and stainless steel so they don't corrode (much). The stock panhead screws have small heads but the main issue is aging plastic. Most of the exterior plastics will decay over time to the point of being ugly and/or breaking. This includes not only the A/C cover but awning end caps, clearance light gaskets, exterior 110V outlet covers, etc.

Concourse wrote:Great suggestion, Manitou. Distributing the pressure over a larger area with the washers and stainless steel so they don't corrode (much). The stock panhead screws have small heads but the main issue is aging plastic. Most of the exterior plastics will decay over time to the point of being ugly and/or breaking. This includes not only the A/C cover but awning end caps, clearance light gaskets, exterior 110V outlet covers, etc.

Yup, had to replace my shroud because it started shattering like glass in spots, replaced all the marker lights at the rear (all cracked and filled with water), currently missing an awning end cap, and noticing the exterior covers are quite weathered. I'll have to find a source for the last two probably sooner than later.

On a related note: dometic seemed to get the idea about the shroud needing more surface area holding it down. The screws the new brisk air II unit I installed have a built in washer type head. Way bigger than even the washers I bought to hold the old penguin on with. They learned their lesson it seems.

Skillet wrote:
Yup, had to replace my shroud because it started shattering like glass in spots, replaced all the marker lights at the rear (all cracked and filled with water), currently missing an awning end cap, and noticing the exterior covers are quite weathered. I'll have to find a source for the last two probably sooner than later.

Your model year/build might be different but on my 04, even though the awning is listed on the build sheet in the closet as a "Horizon" or "A&E" the actual maker is Fiamma. I think Horizon was a reseller for the Fiamma product. There are Fiamma stickers all over the parts when you open up the awning and mine had a model sticker on outside of the leg that is at the cab and of the awning which stated it is a F45Plus.

Anyway, you can contact Fiamma in Florida to order new awning end caps. There were $11 each plus shipping when I ordered mine back in 2013. Well, I just checked the 2015 parts list and they are $20 each now.

Order parts here:
http://www.fiammausa.com/orderNow/spares.asp

See parts diagrams here:
http://www.fiammausa.com/service/service.asp

Left end cap (rear of coach) is part number 02740-01
Right end cap/winch cover (front of coach) is part number 02741-01

Thanks for the info. Geeze, the price shot up pretty high, quickly. But it's what I need so I'll pay for it. I'm going to replace the lighted handle at the rear door. One of the previous owners backed into something and dented the door at the top left (can it be fixed?) and shattered the handle. It's kind of a cool look, like broken glass but still smooth to the touch, but definitely not something I want to keep around. Plus the "Chinook" lettering is very faded and it doesn't light.