2018 Thor Vegas 25.3 upgrades and modifications

[tnedator]

How difficult to get the doghouse off?

[jb1911]

Thanks for the tip. Sometimes the engine is so loud I can hardly hear the radio.

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

It does. I put it in my engine compartment too. Big difference.

Are you saying in the engine compartment other than lining doghouse? If so, where? Any pictures?

[Oneilkeys]

I just put it along the fire wall between the engine and interior and the rest stuck to the top of the engine compartment as close to the firewall as I could.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by tnedator

How difficult to get the doghouse off?

In the Vegas or Axis there are a half dozen or so screws up under the dash and the two big screws on the floor. Depending on how your coach was built the six screws under the dash can be hard or easy. In my Vegas, two of the screws were behind wooden pieces holding up the dash and they were difficult - but not impossible. It was a lot easier in my Axis. After you take out all the screws, you have to go around the bottom of the dog house and the floor with a putty knife to loosen up the putty that they used. I've done two and once you get the upper screws out, it is not difficult.

[upnyfolks]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

I just put it along the fire wall between the engine and interior and the rest stuck to the top of the engine compartment as close to the firewall as I could.

I did the inside of the doghouse and everything I could reach from inside the coach then I covered the engine compartment accessed from the front.
Made a very big difference in reducing the engine and road noise. Conversation while driving is very comfortable now and the radio can be easily heard.

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

In the Vegas or Axis there are a half dozen or so screws up under the dash and the two big screws on the floor. Depending on how your coach was built the six screws under the dash can be hard or easy. In my Vegas, two of the screws were behind wooden pieces holding up the dash and they were difficult - but not impossible. It was a lot easier in my Axis. After you take out all the screws, you have to go around the bottom of the dog house and the floor with a putty knife to loosen up the putty that they used. I've done two and once you get the upper screws out, it is not difficult.

Did you put new putty down when you put it back in place? If so, what type?

[JamieGeek]

When you're putting the fatmat/insulation from inside the front don't forget to cover the holes for the two A-Pillars. That made a huge reduction in sound for us.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

When you're putting the fatmat/insulation from inside the front don't forget to cover the holes for the two A-Pillars. That made a huge reduction in sound for us.

I think Thor figured that one out. Had the problem in my 2014 Vegas, but they had solved it in my 2016 Axis.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by tnedator

Did you put new putty down when you put it back in place? If so, what type?

No I did not add any putty. There was still a lot left on the floor when I pulled the dog house up. Never had an issue with it.

[2 Trail Hikers]

Originally Posted by jb1911

Did this cut down on the horrendous engine noise?

I can't say for sure we haven't tested that part yet we did it mainly for the heat. But all research says it will. I'm planning to the floors on driver and passenger side also.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by 2 Trail Hikers

I can't say for sure we haven't tested that part yet we did it mainly for the heat. But all research says it will. I'm planning to the floors on driver and passenger side also.

It made a 10 db difference in my 2014 Vegas. Not as much in my 2016 Axis as Thor had fixed some of the noise issues. But on both I was/am able to carry on a normal conversation and hear the radio.

[2 Trail Hikers]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

It made a 10 db difference in my 2014 Vegas. Not as much in my 2016 Axis as Thor had fixed some of the noise issues. But on both I was/am able to carry on a normal conversation and hear the radio.

Thats great to "hear". i would like it to be a bit quieter, but we noticed that the cover was getting extremely hot to the point our dog would have to get up and move from it I opted to go with the 3/4" hoodliner from Dynamat for the insulation. I have enough left over to do the floors on each side of the engine cover. I am curious to see how people have done the firewall. I was wondering if it was done on the engine side or passenger compartment side.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by 2 Trail Hikers

Thats great to "hear". i would like it to be a bit quieter, but we noticed that the cover was getting extremely hot to the point our dog would have to get up and move from it I opted to go with the 3/4" hoodliner from Dynamat for the insulation. I have enough left over to do the floors on each side of the engine cover. I am curious to see how people have done the firewall. I was wondering if it was done on the engine side or passenger compartment side.

I did mine in the engine side.

[2 Trail Hikers]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

I did mine in the engine side.

Ill have to get under there and take a look to see what i can do on ours

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

I did mine in the engine side.

Do you come in from underneath or how do you get to the engine side of the firewall?

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by tnedator

Do you come in from underneath or how do you get to the engine side of the firewall?

I crawled in thru the front hood over the engine.

[2 Trail Hikers]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

I crawled in thru the front hood over the engine.

You must be a lot smaller than me lol. i am starting to think they changed something with the 2018 front end.

[dan77505]

Originally Posted by 2 Trail Hikers

Attachment 5589Got the dog house insulated with Dynamat hood liner.

Why did you insulate.. heat, noise or both? Are you going to post a video? Which material did you use?

[2 Trail Hikers]

Originally Posted by dan77505

Why did you insulate.. heat, noise or both? Are you going to post a video? Which material did you use?

I didn't do a video on the insulation it would have been a lot of me cutting fitting cutting fitting cussing fitting LOL. Our issue was the amount of heat radiating through the cover it was hot not warm but hot to the touch. Our dog prefers to lay between us up front but kept moving back in the coach and coming back only to lay down and move again within minutes. Wife started petting the dog and he felt really warm so she touched the cover and found the source of the heat. I imagine it will cut down on noise but the noise didn't bother me my full time job is at a fire department and when i drive the big trucks they are way noisier inside than the vegas. I am sure if it reduces noise we will be happy but the key was to cut down on the heat. There is several different products out there to do this but I went with Dynamat simply based on the reputation. I have seen people use fatmat with success, and even some that have used peel and seal from Lowes. Ill post a link to what i ordered, it was enough to do the engine cover and I have enough leftover to do other areas as I find them.

http://amzn.to/2tRLX72