Fantastic Vent

[GLovedahl]

I dropped our Minuet off at Camping World to have the vent fan replaced with a Fantastic Vent, along with some other things, such as repacking the wheel bearings. When I returned I was told that they couldn't replace my fan with a Fantastic Fan. Has anyone replaced the fan in a Minuet, and doesn't a Fantastic Fan work? Thanks.....

[DKB_SATX]

It's not a drop-in replacement, and not one I'd care to trust to Camping World for one of my trailers.

I would want to either do the work myself or have a trusted shop with Airstream experience do it for me.

They may have balked because it involves cutting a slightly larger opening than the original vents used. As far as I know someone has installed at FantasticFan on every Airstream model, it seems to be the most popular upgrade.

[Phoenix]

Our 2005 Bambi came with two regular roof vents. I had the Airstream dealer install one FantasticFan, which left one regular vent. A couple of years later, we were boondocking on Lone Rock Beach at Lake Powell in the summer; and I realized that we would have been a lot more comfortable with a second FantasticFan. So, a couple of months later, I replace the remaining regular vent with another FantasticFan, myself.

I was hesitant to enlarge the hole in the roof, because cutting holes in the roof panels just seems wrong. However, when removing the old vent, I discovered what a hack job the factory had done installing it; and I decided I couldn't do much worse, even if I tried.

Once you get past the first cut, it's not that difficult. I did purchase some right-angle sheet-metal shears, which made the cutting much easier. Just remember to measure twice and cut once. (Funny how those old sayings can take on a new, deeper meaning in your old age. However, sometimes they just mean exactly what they say...)

Labor doesn't get much cheaper than free. And, if you do the installation yourself; at least you'll know who to blame, if it leaks.