Repairing or Replacing Roof Vents

klevan · 02-01-2007, 05:51 PM

Has anyone had any luck repairing or replacing roof vent covers after the translucent skylight portion cracks and begins to leak?

InsideOut · 02-01-2007, 06:13 PM

We replaced ours Ken...although, I'm sure it's a bit different than yours though with 10+ years difference in our trailers, but it works perfectly now. No leaks and a very simple repair. I don't recall where we got our replacemnt -I think it was Vintage Trailer Supply - Mr. InsideOut did it and it was painless...I guess I only remember the painful repairs!

Shari

klevan · 02-01-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

We replaced ours Ken...although, I'm sure it's a bit different than yours though with 10+ years difference in our trailers, but it works perfectly now. No leaks and a very simple repair. I don't recall where we got our replacemnt -I think it was Vintage Trailer Supply - Mr. InsideOut did it and it was painless...I guess I only remember the painful repairs!

Shari

Thanks mucho Shari. You are correct, Vintage Trailer Supply has a nice replacement vent for Airstreams of your era, but not mine. I'm hoping someone has found a source for new vent covers or a clever way to repair the vent covers on Airstreams manufactured in the '70s.

PizzaChop · 02-01-2007, 07:33 PM

Ken,

Do you have the type with the aluminum frame and translucent (sp?) plastic in the center?

If so, I have tried to repair mine with a rather thin piece of plexiglass that cracked around each rivet (dumb idea). I will be re-doing them with thicker plexiglass (5/16") and will attach with washers on backside of rivets.

With vulkem, they should not leak. (I didn't have any problems for about year with the first repair.)

If you have the kind that are entirely plastic, they make one from Ventline that will work, although it's not exactly the same.

klevan · 02-01-2007, 07:50 PM

Thanks, Ron!
Yes, I have the aluminum vent covers with the translucent plastic(?) panel.
If the Ventline is the correct size, I wouldn't mind going all plastic.
Otherwise, I will try 5/16 in. plexiglass as you suggest.

Do you have a link for Ventline?

Inland RV Center, In · 02-01-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klevan

Thanks, Ron!
Yes, I have the aluminum vent covers with the translucent plastic(?) panel.
If the Ventline is the correct size, I wouldn't mind going all plastic.
Otherwise, I will try 5/16 in. plexiglass as you suggest.

Do you have a link for Ventline?

Plexiglass should never be used in the sun.

It will crack and craze in 2-3 months.

Andy

klevan · 02-01-2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Plexiglass should never be used in the sun.

It will crack and craze in 2-3 months.

Andy

Thanks, Andy. What do you suggest? I don't see a replacement vent cover on your webpage.

steelbird312 · 02-01-2007, 08:02 PM

Have you guys seen this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Airst...80501354QQrdZ1

Also, The top of teh vent cover that you have now can be repaired with VINYL sheets. Make sure that you use sealed rivets, or stainles screws and dip them in Vulkem, Sikaflex or the like. Go slow, be careful. Oh, and while you are up there, get a roll of sponge tape to seal it against the body of the vent.

JimGolden · 02-01-2007, 08:20 PM

Ken,

Mine did the same thing. I cut out a square of thin gauge aluminum and attached it to the aluminum outer housing. It's no longer translucent, but it doesn't leak a drop.

I plan to replace mine with Fantastic Fans eventually. For now, the aluminum replacement works great.

Best of luck,

Inland RV Center, In · 02-01-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klevan

Thanks, Andy. What do you suggest? I don't see a replacement vent cover on your webpage.

Click on parts.

Part #83098 or #83101

Andy

PizzaChop · 02-01-2007, 11:03 PM

Ken,

My bad, try lexan.

You can buy it locally (usually) at a glass shop. Even comes in smoke (or so I've heard).

klevan · 02-03-2007, 05:33 PM

Per Andy and Ron's recommendation, I used Lexan polycarbonate that I found at Home Depot.
The project was a breeze.
I used my radial arm saw with a hollow-ground plywood blade to cut pieces of Lexan 9 1/2 X 9 1/2 inches square.

Then, to radius the corners, I used a jigsaw with a fine-tooth, multi-purpose blade made by Bosch that cuts on downstroke and upstroke.

I used the vent cover itself upside down on the Lexan square as a template to drill 1/8 in holes in the Lexan at each rivet hole. Then I flipped the whole assemby right side up and secured the Lexan to the vent cover using 1/8" blind aluminum rivets with 1/4 in. grip range. I bedded the Lexan first on a flat strip of rope caulk.

Economical and effective, Lexan is guaranteed to withstand ten years of direct sunlight.

I can provide pictures if anyone is interested.

ALANSD · 02-03-2007, 06:05 PM

Sounds like a plan. My vent covers don't leak but they sure look crappy.A fantastic type fan would be great, but I saw where Pizzachop put new inside light/vent covers on his Sovereign and they look nice and clean. That plus new lexan would be great.

clancy_boy · 02-03-2007, 06:07 PM

I believe that LEXAN has a sun resistant side and one side that is not. The two sheets I have used both were marked that way on the protective plastic film. Just a precaution.