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Can Carbon Monoxide Really Stay Out Of The Cab?

ColoradoAV

SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2002
Messages
1,424
Location
Littleton, CO
As many people in OH, PA and NY are aware of, we're planning on taking a 3000 mile round trip to PA this Christmas. The plan is along the way to bring our dog and fold down the midgate to help keep him warm. The drivers would also be able to sleep with their faces in the cab and the rest in the bed. We did this very same thing a year ago and had absolutely no problems. It was the best travelling we ever had.

I have seen Chevy advertise that the Avalanche is designed so that the harmful carbon monoxide just flows OVER the bed and cab instead of into it.

My question is, what if the wind is fickle and it changes the direction of the carbon monoxide flow?

Just thought I could get some honest feedback from some fellow Avers :).

Thanks
 
re carbon monoxide: my $0.02...the av is no different than any other vehicle when it comes to vapours, the av is vented and therefore not vapourproof. Assuming however that we are talking about a moving av, I think its safe to say no need to worry. If however we are talking about running the engine while stationary and then having a nap...well lets just say it could be a long nap if ya know what I mean...ssssszzzzzzz

pow
 
Well if you haven't modded the exhaust to straight pipes, then your fumes are coming out your rear passenger side.
I would ASSume that if the wind was blowing in a direction across your av from rear passenger to front drivers side, the fumes could pose a problem.
What about using a space heater?
 
the only problem with a space heater is it could run your battery down I do alot of camping in my AV what I did is I just bought one of those sleeping bags that will go down it -30 degrees F the only bad thing is when you get up it is a little cold. ColoradoAV do you have an Engine block heater? I have never used mine so I don't know how they work but atleast the heater would be warm when you wake up (from what I have heard)
 
With the wind blowing I can't see any sustained gases making their way into the bed or cab compartment...I sure there is some law of newton..to support that claim...since the stock exhaust setup runs behind the p side rear wheel...it should just filter out behind the truck... :B:
 
This may sound off the wall and I am sure someone will tell me so,but what if you take a household monoxide dectector with you on the trip? To be safe if sleeping in vechicle,never sleep with it running and vent a window when running for heat or cold.In the south we lose people by running there A/C also.As you have already stated these AV's do sleep well,enjoy your trip.
 
I thought the main reason for the cutouts creating the 'A' frames is to bring in wind from the side to elliminate the exhaust fumes from being sucked into the cab.
 
CoAvZ71 said:
I have seen Chevy advertise that the Avalanche is designed so that the harmful carbon monoxide just flows OVER the bed and cab instead of into it. ?

My question is, what if the wind is fickle and it changes the direction of the carbon monoxide flow?
The owners manual has something to say on this subject.

Page 2-13, "Midgate":
It can be dangerous to drive with the cargo area covered and the tailgate and Midgate open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can?t see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.

If you must drive with the cargo area covered and the tailgate and Midgate open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the Midgate:
  • Make sure all other windows are shut.
  • Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting on OUTSIDE AIR. That will force outside air into your vehicle. See ?Comfort Controls? in the Index.
  • If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way. See ?Engine Exhaust? in the Index.

Page 2-44, "Engine Exhaust":
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you can?t see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.

You might have exhaust coming in if:
  • Your exhaust system sounds strange or different.
  • Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
  • Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
  • Your vehicle was damaged when driving over high points on the road or over road debris.
  • Repairs weren?t done correctly.
  • Your vehicle or exhaust system had been modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your vehicle:
  • Drive it only with all the windows down to blow out any CO; and
  • Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

Page 2-45 "Running Your Engine While You're Parked":
Idling the engine with the climate control system off could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under ?Engine Exhaust.?

Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if the fan is at the highest setting. One place this can happen is a garage. Exhaust -- with CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a garage with the engine running.

Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See ?Blizzard? in the Index.

Page 4-45, "If You?re Caught in a Blizzard":
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you. You can?t see it or smell it, so you might not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around again from time to time to be sure snow doesn?t collect there.

Open a window just a little on the side of the vehicle that?s away from the wind. This will help keep CO out.

So, there are some things that you clearly should not do: drive with covers on and both midgate and tailgate open, idle truck in garage (duh!) and be careful of idling in snow.

As long as you are driving, have the covers and back window installed, and either the tailgate or midgate closed, you should be safe. I know I wouldn't worry if I were in that situation. If you have both gates open, or the back window out, I would worry, and keep other windows open some and the ventilation fan on full.

If you're leaving the engine running while parked and sleeping, then you have some more things to look out for, especially if the snow is flying and building up. Keeping the air moving by keeping the ventilation fan blowing and a down-wind window opened a bit will help greatly. Make sure the exhaust is not blocked, and better yet, park with the exhaust outlet down wind from the truck.

A battery powered CO detector may be a good idea. However, keep in mind that to prevent false alarms, they need to sense a dangerous CO concentration over time. In such a small area as a truck, by the time the alarm sounds, you may already be in serious trouble. Also, the sensitivity of the CO sensor may by affected by temperature, check to see if the sensor you may consider has any temperature restrictions.

Hope this gives some helpful information. Drive safely, and I'm looking forward to seeing you when you're in town.

-- SS
 
WOW. that was probably one of the best replies I had read yet. Informative, to the point, and documented.

I did find it interesting to see that the owner's manual awknowledges that we are going to mod the AV.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been modified improperly.
 
IMO, common sense says don't sleep in any stopped vehicle with the engine running - to many variables to assure that CO will stay out of the truck. While moving down the highway, I can't see any problem with sleeping in the back as described - except for the hazards in the event of an accident.
 
Just to be safe...CO detectors can be had from comping supply houses. They run on 12 volt . You might try campingworld.com. Have a great time! ? :B:
 
AvaLance said:
ColoradoAV do you have an Engine block heater? I have never used mine so I don't know how they work but atleast the heater would be warm when you wake up (from what I have heard)

I agree that the space heater will drain the battery.

We do not have an engine block heater but I have expressed an interest in one:

Engine Block Heater Questions

I do like the idea of a battery powered carbon monoxide detector.

If the drivers sleep and we're stopped, it will be at a hotel and that is what the plan appears to be now. My parents always switch off when we drive (I'll be involved in the mix pretty soon ;D) and the person not driving usually rests.

AvaLance - that's interesting what you've heard about the engine block heater.

SS - GREAT research and advice. Thank you. I look forward to meeting you too.

Thank you to the rest of you too. This is all great advice so just keep the ideas flowing :).

We'll be cruising at 80 mph in Nebraska and Colorado, then 70 mph the rest of the way so there will be plenty of wind then. We won't be stopped with the engine running excessively at all.

 
I am going to try my block heater tonight I will let you know how it works we have had heavy frost hear every night
 
As far as the CO detector going off after it is too late: because the interior is small, the concentrations will increase faster, causing the detector to go into alarm sooner. Here is a paragraph concerning detector operation;

"According to UL Standard 2034, home carbon monoxide detectors must sound a warning before carbon monoxide levels reach 100 parts per million over 90 minutes, 200 parts per million over 35 minutes or 400 parts per million over 15 minutes. The standard requires the alarm must sound before an average, heathy adult begins to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The warning provides time to evacuate the premises."

If you want to know more about time-weighted exposure limits, check here.

You should never sleep in a parked car with the motor running. You should always keep the exhaust system in good repair. ?
 
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