Thor Tuscany microwave vent

[mjdougherty]

Does anyone out there have a Tuscany motorhome with a microwave vent fan that truly vents to the outside?

My 2016 Tuscany 45AT has an outside vent in line with the microwave oven, but the oven fan blows upwards against the ceiling of the slide. It is necessary to run the ceiling fan to try and exhaust cooking vapors.

The microwave installation manual show the oven can be mounted two ways, one for external vent and one for internal vent.

I don't know why Thor would go to the trouble of installing the outside vent and then install my microwave so that the fan blows back inside.

Doesn't make sense.

Has anyone ever corrected this problem on their own? Was it difficult? Did you pay someone else to do it? How expensive was it?

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

[TurnerFam]

I question that, too....but, also, are you positive it's actually a vent for the microwave?

send some pics

[Beau388]

All Whirlpool microwaves over 0.9 cuft have a dual vent system. The instillation and operations manual should show how to vent the microwave through the wall or roof. In Thor MC infinite wisdom, they placed an aluminum support beam (1") aluminum square tube where the vent would normally go. Then there is a problem, I would loose 80% of the space in my electronic equipment cabinet.

[mjdougherty]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

I question that, too....but, also, are you positive it's actually a vent for the microwave?

send some pics

This is what it looks like (photo 1), much longer than a typical laundry vent fan (as on the passenger side of our motorhome, photo 2).

[mjdougherty]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

I question that, too....but, also, are you positive it's actually a vent for the microwave?

send some pics

This is what it looks like (photo 1), much longer than a typical laundry vent fan (as on the passenger side of our motorhome, photo 2).

[mjdougherty]

I think it is about 10 to 12 inches wide, raining out now otherwise I would measure it for you. It has a flap that I opened to see if it made a difference six months ago. No effect. It is flapping in the wind right now.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

I question that, too....but, also, are you positive it's actually a vent for the microwave?

send some pics

Just go to the Whirlpool website and look up your model number and the instillation instructions. Hopefully you have it your Thor info packet. Here is what the sheet looks like for a 1.9 cf model

<https://www.whirlpool.com/content/dam/global/documents/201508/installation-instructions-W10823835-RevA.pdf>

[mjdougherty]

Originally Posted by Beau388

Just go to the Whirlpool website and look up your model number and the instillation instructions. Hopefully you have it your Thor info packet. Here is what the sheet looks like for a 1.9 cf model

<https://www.whirlpool.com/content/dam/global/documents/201508/installation-instructions-W10823835-RevA.pdf>

Yes, as mentioned earlier, I have the installation manual.

I just want to know if anyone has a Thor Tuscany motorhome with the microwave installed "properly" or who has had the microwave switched over to vent outside and how they went about doing it.

[Steve70605]

I had the same issue with mine. The microwave was installed as it comes from the factory (i.e the vent shield was left in the interior vent position as a factory default). You have to remove the microwave ant swap the vent flap. Not a big issue if you have ever installed a residential microwave in your home. Not all Thor products had exterior vents. Should have been caught by installer.

Hope this helps....

[mjdougherty]

Originally Posted by Steve70605

I had the same issue with mine. The microwave was installed as it comes from the factory (i.e the vent shield was left in the interior vent position as a factory default). You have to remove the microwave ant swap the vent flap. Not a big issue if you have ever installed a residential microwave in your home. Not all Thor products had exterior vents. Should have been caught by installer.

Hope this helps....

Steve,

Never installed a microwave before. Our home unit is on a microwave cart with wheels.

How many screws hold it in place? I see four screws along the back edge, going upwards, probably into a mounting board.

Do you have to remove the door and fascia from the oven to access bigger screws that hold it to the cabinets on either side? I don't see any screws on the right side, just a narrow open space.

Is it hung from a support bracket above? Does it slide into place on such a bracket?

See photographs of my installation ...

Perhaps I should take another look at the installation manual 😉

[Steve70605]

Each model is different. On ours we had to remove a wood strip. The access panel was accessed by opening the door and removing the upper plate.

I would look at manual for your model on installation. Most models have some sort of base plate that is mounted then the microwave mounts to it. Or slotted screw mounts with just 2 screws or bolts to hold it solid.

Hope this helps.....

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by mjdougherty

Yes, as mentioned earlier, I have the installation manual.

I just want to know if anyone has a Thor Tuscany motorhome with the microwave installed "properly" or who has had the microwave switched over to vent outside and how they went about doing it.

Ours is a 42GX with the kitchen in the full wall slide out. It does vent outside however with the 10 speed fan directly above (little to the left) that works well for a vent also

If we are on a short stop then we use the Fantastic ceiling fan instead of going out and unlatching the flap

[jsineno]

Is there a filter or flap in the oven vent. It has tabs but mine has no filter and I believe when you drive the wind is blowing in and rattling the microwave. (2015 Thor Tuscany 40KQ)

[mjdougherty]

Originally Posted by jsineno

Is there a filter or flap in the oven vent. It has tabs but mine has no filter and I believe when you drive the wind is blowing in and rattling the microwave. (2015 Thor Tuscany 40KQ)

Yes, there is a flap inside/under the vent hood on the outside of the coach. There are two tabs that hold it securely in place. See attached photo.

I've been able to release the tabs with a long stick while standing on the ground. I have found it necessary to use a ladder (or a nearby picnic table) to stand on whenever I need to reseat the flapper for traveling.

I have never experienced the internal parts rattling around and we are on microwave #2 right now.

[ducksface]

Our house microwave has a backdraft prevention one-way flap.
What would happen if you just left that vent open instead of needing a
stick and a trick
every time you wanted to use the microwave?

[mjdougherty]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Our house microwave has a backdraft prevention one-way flap.
What would happen if you just left that vent open instead of needing a
stick and a trick
every time you wanted to use the microwave?

In my experience I barely notice it if the vent flap moves around while driving. We are 20 feet forward of the microwave when going down the road. Leaving it unsecured would not be a big deal for me (and I often do that).

However, if you have more than 2 people onboard the ones sitting on the couch or the dinette might hear it. They also may feel cold air coming in during fall and winter months.

[ducksface]

Microwave removal is t,he hardest easy thing to do.
If it goes well it simply hangs on a French-cleat(look it up) type wall mount.
If it doesn't Go well you're not strong enough to leverage it off/on that cleat.

Unless It's all just totally totally hatefully tied into your cabinetry its just an hour+ job for any household handyman.

Hire the handyman, look over his shoulder, extrapolate what you see/learn into other things on the rv you can now visualize/do.

A mantra I often use:
'I am smart enough to do this job. This means I am smart enough to hire someone else to do it'.

Make this easy by supporting a local handyman who will come to you.
You don't need an rv tech.