Water Heater Compartment Ventilation

[Merlin]

On my 16TBS the water heater/water pump compartment is under the rear left side of the bed. The compartment and it's cover is (very) roughly 2.5 feet square. I was in there yesterday to insulate the floor, water pipes, and add a layer of insulation to the water heater. I noticed that the compartment lid overhangs the edge of the compartment by an extra an inch on the rear, meaning there is about an inch gap between the lid and the rear of the compartment. Since the water pump (which we call the troll under the bed) is noisy, it would be much quieter if I close that gap with some foam. So, is that gap necessary or is it just a miscalculation on the part of LL during construction? I know the water heater burner uses outside air for combustion and I can 't think of any reason to have that compartment ventilated.

[DavidM]

I have a 16TBS but I have not noticed the gap you mention and the trailer isn't nearby to look at. But I don't see why you couldn't close the gap with a piece of foam. Even if the compartment heats up a bit it isn't going to hurt anything inside it.

But I want to be able to hear the pump run and SHUT OFF when the faucet it off.

David