By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I would like to know if you have some heating duct cleaning advice. I have a floor duct system, LP gas and basement heat pump unit which is centrally located. There are overhead ceiling vents and I need to clean the floor duct system. Any assistance with this issue is greatly appreciated. Thanks. —Dave, 2001 34 ft. Winnebago Journey
Dear Dave,
Your Journey has what Winnebago called “TrueAir,” which is two compressors located in a compartment under the floor. It operates the same as the roof air conditioner compressors and is ducted up through the backwall of the rig and to the vents ducted in the ceiling.
The heat pump option of your Journey is designed into the compressors with a reverse valve so the heat actually goes up to the ceiling ductwork rather than the floor ducts.
The furnace of your rig is a Suburban model mounted below floor level typically in the compartment with the water heater directly forward of the TrueAir. It also has a metal plenum* mounted underneath the floor similar to a residential system rather than the corrugated hoses used in other products. This not only provides superior airflow, but makes it easier to clean, as well. Unfortunately, Winnebago does not have 3D drawings for your model year. However, this one is from a 2010, which would be similar to yours. [*From Merriam-Webster: plenum: an air-filled space in a structure, especially one that receives air from a blower for distribution (as in a ventilation system).]
Notice the furnace is shown in green with the ductwork running on two sides. I’m not sure if yours has the two; however, you should be able to see it from underneath.
There are several residential duct cleaning companies that now offer RV duct cleaning, as well. I would suggest doing a search for local companies and see if they offer this service.
To clean the ductwork yourself
I have not performed a full duct cleaning; rather, I used a shop vacuum to clean out directly underneath a vent in a few models. However, I think it would be fairly easy to do the entire plenum.
Some companies use a vacuum hose with a rotating brush and push it through the plenum, while others use forced air from one side and a vacuum on the far end. Start with the farthest vent and run the hose through the vent and push it along the plenum and keep all other vents closed. On the other end, insert the vacuum hose and seal it off with painters’ tape or plastic. Set the air compressor to about 40 psi, so you don’t blow dust all over the rig, and push the air hose as far into the plenum as possible. If you hit an obstruction, measure the distance and switch to another vent, closing the first one you used.
I had our home ductwork cleaned after we finished building it and the company used a rotating brush on the far end and a vacuum. You can find a similar product on Amazon here. It connects to a cordless drill and swirls inside the plenum.
For the price, it might be cheaper to just have a local service do it once a year.
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Dear Dave,
I’m looking to purchase this Class A with basement A/C. Do you know of problems with this system? I know the option didn’t last very long. Thanks for the info. I read your column every day. —Robert, 2004 Winnebago Itasca Suncruiser
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Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”
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We’ve had two Winnebago Journey 39′ motorhomes with TrueAir. Loved the system. Quiet, efficient, no holes or weight on the roof for AC units. No climbing on a roof to service them. One standard 14×20 home furnace filter.
Our first was a 2003, second a 2007. The floor plenums were fairly large and straight front to back. While I never cleaned the plenums end to end, I did run a scope down them once. Frankly, I didn’t see anything that needed cleaning. I used to just remove the floor vents and clean in as far as I could reach with a vacuum hose.
A long handled Swiffer duster would work great to get in a ways.
A lot of trailers use slinky ductwork with very thin walls. I would not attempt to mechanically clean these ducts for fear of rupturing the duct at a bend. That would reduce airflow to the vent more than the accumulated dust.
Thank you for the information, Dave. Have a great week and safe travels!