Open space into belly compartment under stairs 310gk

[drifterranch]

Can anyone tell me why the under stair shoe storage area is open to the belly compartment? Is it so there is some form of climate control for the underbelly? Is it for ventilation during the winter for some form of return air or is it just because they chose not to finish the enclosure.
The reason I ask is during the summer there is always a warm spot around the stairs. I believe by closing this off it would Improve the efficiency of the A/C. Thanks in advance.

[bertschb]

Is it for ventilation during the winter for some form of return air or is it just because they chose not to finish the enclosure.

I'm guessing it's the latter. The furnace does need some return air but if you start looking closely enough, you'll find other spaces open the basement. The bottom of the pantry and hutch ("coffee station") are two areas open to the basement. I closed off the space under the stairs as we park in hot climates and I don't need any more hot air entering the RV than we already have.

[TucsonJim]

So i pulled the HVAC drawing for your 310GK. It shows the air return for the furnace is over by the pantry door. Here's a snap shot - The striped area is the air return:



But the drawing also shows there is either a floor or wall duct at the stairs. As long as you're not blocking that off, it appears you could seal that area a little better. The rectangular object in the drawing is the heat duct representation. You'd need to peek under there to see how it's really installed.



Jim

[drifterranch]

TucsonJim bertschb thank you for the reply’s I will check the ducts and if everything is good I will seal it up. We are camping this weekend with a 70 humidity and 100 plus heat index. Thanks again
BTW I have decided to insulate the floor in the underbelly and nose with closed cell foam also.