Visit our Popular Forums

dieseleagle · 01-25-2010, 05:37 AM

Since I began the restoration on our 1963 Tradewind I've searched for vent caps that would look vintage. Of course the plastic ones used on SOB's would be totally wrong, though I've considered painting them. There is a galvanized steel version that looks pretty good but which would undoubtedly rust and look terrible within a couple of year. I finally settled on a couple of cast aluminum escutcheons, although it really wasn't a "finished" look.

Near where I live a new store opened that specializes in mobile home parts with a little in the way of RV stuff. Just to see what they had I stopped in to wander around. What to my wondering eyes should appear???

They are aluminum and they are just the ticket.

tkasten · 01-25-2010, 05:47 AM

They look great!. Can you give us an address as I would like to get a couple for my 65 Safari?....Thanks....Tim

easyride · 01-25-2010, 07:41 AM

I would also like to know,I have a friend in the Cape who could pick them up for me.Dave

Melody Ranch · 01-25-2010, 07:47 AM

I'd like to know the info on them too. I need a couple.
Thanks,
Robin C

SilverHoot · 01-25-2010, 09:07 AM

Add me to the list. Great find!

Sheridan · 01-25-2010, 09:30 AM

Just what I've been looking for. I'm in. Thanks, Dan

dieseleagle · 01-25-2010, 09:47 AM

The store is called Mobile Home Depot. The particular one I went to is near the southeast corner of the intersection of US41 and Bayshore (Pine Island Rd. east of 41) in North Fort Myers. I found websites for Michigan and Florida, but they claim they are a nationwide distributor of related products. BTW, they were only about $8.00 each. I looked at the reciept to get a better (numeric) description but it was handwritten and just says "ventcap".

dieseleagle · 01-26-2010, 11:14 AM

I called the store and got some additional information that may be helpful. They claim to not have a part number but describe the item to their supplier as an "aluminum two inch ventcap". Apparently it is also important to say that the flange does not have predrilled holes, which helps to differentiate the item from the galvanized version also sitting on the shelf. Today they say the cost is 9.99 each. (Either inflation or the clerk who waited on me last week was confused) They say they do not have an online ordering capability but if you call they can do an over-the-phone credit card transaction and ship the item to you. They have two left in stock but can get more. I couldn't get him to tell me where they get them, but I tried. The phone number is 239-543-3300. If you run into major confusion send me a PM and I'll go do the buy myself. This is not a high-tech operation.

ts8501 · 01-26-2010, 11:40 AM

PM sent. These would/will look assume on the '64!

walter1 · 01-26-2010, 01:21 PM

Thanks for sharing your find.
I'd also like to purchase 2 and would gladly reimburse you for trouble and shipping.

How do we get info to order a case and spread them around?

tkasten · 01-26-2010, 02:28 PM

Thanks for the great find. I did call and ordered 2 of them which will be in the mail Wednesday. They say they have more.....Tim

dieseleagle · 01-26-2010, 03:03 PM

I got there before closing time. tkasten, I saw yours on the countertop with the sales receipt and they said they were mailing them tomorrow. I bought four for ts8501 and walter1, both of whom sent me a PM. They still had 5 on the shelf but said they have ordered more, so there is no need to have a run on the bank.

tkasten · 01-26-2010, 04:12 PM

dieseleagle - thanks for the update.....Tim

Ambie '64 · 01-27-2010, 12:56 PM

Thanks for the find, dieseleagle. I called Carol today and ordered three of them. She was very helpful and called me back to confirm the shipping cost. She was laughing that ''suddenly, she's getting a lot of orders''. Ah the power of the internet! She did say that they had ordered a bunch more (from wherever) so they could fill the shelves.

SilverHoot · 01-27-2010, 02:13 PM

My vents are on a fairly curved portion of the roof, you think these will seal? Anybody put them on yet?

dieseleagle · 01-27-2010, 03:23 PM

The flange is 6 inches in diameter. The flat portion will certainly bend to conform. The bell portion will resist bending but if you pre-form around the side of a propane tank or something similar I wouldn't think you should have any trouble getting enough bend to accomodate the curve in the roof. Wish I had found them about three months ago before I put the inner skins back in so I could have buck riveted them. Oh well. I 've ordered Olympic rivets from VTS. Along with Vulkem they should do the job.

Sheridan · 02-02-2010, 12:35 PM

Has anyone actually installed these caps on a curved roof? You could just set them flat on a curved section and they would slant outward slightly, like holding two beer cans on your head. (not that I've ever done that).

Dan

tkasten · 02-02-2010, 02:14 PM

Dan - I just got a pair in the mail today and it looks like it will be a bit of bending the flange to conform to the curve of the roof. Won't know how much till I try. It's a bit cold here so I won't be getting to it for a while. I plan to start bending the up hill side first. Once that is close then I will bend the down hill side. Someone mentioned in another post about using something round like a propane tank to bend the cap around. Alum. bends pretty easy so I think it is doable.....Tim

nmbosa · 02-02-2010, 02:48 PM

Diesel, great find. I just ordered three of these for my project and they said they are still getting lots of calls.
Norm

dieseleagle · 03-16-2010, 05:10 AM

I reached a point in my project that I could install the first of the vent caps. Its for the original sink vent and is indeed at about the apex of the curve. I started the forming on a propane tank and then finished using a large Crescent wrench to provide leverage without scarring the aluminum. I would mention that the aluminum the vents are made from is rather soft and its pretty easy to form. The vent install also gave me the opportunity to use Olympic rivets for the first time.

I was liberal with the Trempro and cleaned up the excess with naptha. After step one the remainder of the studs stand proud of the head. I used a stone on the Dremel to grind down the stud and shape the head.

This is the final result. It does sit at a jaunty angle, but I think it looks a lot better than the bare pipe siticking through the escutcheon. By the way, I cut off the pipe about an inch below the top of the cap. The second one, which will serve the bath, happens to land on the flat of the roof, so it'll be a little easier.