Fantastic Vent install

Yesterday I installed a brand new Fantastic Vent 6000RBTA with a white translucent lid from Vintage Trailer Supply. I had to expand the hole at the corners since the old fan was more rounded. I used tinsnips to get within 3-4 mm of the corner and then used a round file to finish off the corner.

I added some 1/2"x1/2"x 1/8" aluminum angle on the inside of the skin all around to minimize the strain on the plastic flange on the fan. I decided to do this instead of using washers on the outside since I think it will be easier to seal the outside this way. I used Vulkem and clecos to hold the angle up to the inside of the skin in the right place.

After drilling out all the holes with a #21 drill bit, I taped around the outside leaving about an 1/8" gap and then put a generous bead of Vulkem down on the top. I carefully placed the fan in the hole and secured it with Olympic Rivets. After I clipped off the pin of each rivet, I smoothed out the Vulkem around the edge with a gloved finger and put a dab of vulkem on top of each rivet.

I quickly peeled off the tape without too much mess and smoothed out the vulkem a bit more. I think if I left a bit less Vulkem before removing the tape, it would have worked a bit better but I am very happy with it.

I applied vulkem to the seam on the inside and smoothed it out as well. I really like the white lid and how much light it lets in.

I now have one new thing in my trailer
The weather turned bad soon after I finished so I had to cover up the fan overnight. I just used blue tape to hold down some plastic and it held up fine. I have now prepped all of the other holes in the roof and their patches but need the combination of a warm day, a bit less wind, and somebody to help me buck rivets.