Fantastic Fan Install Help

[Coffeebean]

I am looking for some ideas on good ways to work on the top of my trailer? I have a couple of fans I want to install and I am just not sure how to approch this task. Does any body have a simple way to work on the top without doing damage to the sides from ladders and etc. ? If my arms were about a foot longer or I was 3 feet taller it wouldn't be a big deal. Thanks

[j54mark]

When on the roof, don't put your weight anywhere except along the ribs - defined by rows of rivets. Some people cut a piece of plywood to sit on. If you do so make it large enough to bridge two ribs.

To get on the roof, use a ladder. Place it against the awning tube, or, if no awning, lean one ladder rail against a rib. Put an old folded t-shirt or something equally soft and non-marring betwwen the ladder rails and the aluminum.

Good luck,

Mark

[wahoonc]

I am still fairly agile, I use an 8' step ladder and lean it against the awning tube or the drip rail over a window. I aslo wear a good non slip sole shoe, like a boat shoe. You can walk between the ribs and stringers but I don't reccomend it. A half sheet of plywood with some carpet padding glued on the back makes a decent work platform.

Aaron

[Forrest]

If you are thin and small you can do some work by standing up through a vent that has been removed. Of course once you start installing the Fantastic Vent you will need to work on the outside. A section of lumber to span two ribs with a blanket or carpet underneath can be used to support either you or a ladder extension. Don't count on a rib always being under a row of rivets though. That just isn't the case. Some people are light enough to get up on top without leaving an impression, but at 235 lbs. I can't say I'm in that group. If you use a ladder extension, secure it by rope or strap to a wheel, axle or bumper, so that it will not slip away while you are near the top. I just installed my second Fantastic Vent and used two ladders to form a tripod (one folding ladder supporting an extension ladder) and strapped them together with another strap attached to the wheel. It was very stable, and the only point of contact with my Globe Trotter was where the ladder rested on the one by four with carpet attached.

[JohnG]

The idea of using a half sheet of plywood with carpet padding glued to its back is probably best. When you are on it your weight will be distributed over a greater are thus the chances of doing any damage to the top are minimized.

Walking on the top even on the rivet rows is still taking a chance since you are depending on a structural support in that area which may not be present. Also if you should loose your balance you may inadvertently step on an area with no support what so ever which would result in more damage to repair.



Using a ladder is ok, but it’s not a bad idea to glue strips of carpet padding on the ladder as well.

[jdleezer]

Coffebean,

Here is a great photo link to show you how to install your fantastic fan.

http://www.airstreamphotos.com/photo.../cat/504/page/

[markparker22]

When I installed my Fantastic Fan I used 2 extra long ladders leaning against opposite sides of the coach. The ladders should be about 3ft. higher than the coach roof. Then I made a scaffolding by sliding a 2"X12" by 10 Feet board through the ladder steps to get enough clearance to walk on this board and to sit on it supporting most of my weight. I am 6'4" 260 lbs. and this worked quite well. Only stand on the riveted rib sections when you must walk around. There was no scratching of the sides of the coach and I had an awning cover on only one side. You could pad the ladder sides if you wished.

[Coffeebean]

Thanks for the input, all I need now is a few good days of weather.

[loupulis]

we had a Fantastic Fan installed to replace the wake-the-dead one in our RV's bathroom. we had it done by CampingWorld in Fairfield, CA. when i turned it on, after getting home (an hour away) it worked great - except it BLOWS AIR IN instead of out like we wanted and like the one we already have in the living room. IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO REVERSE IT? or do I have to drive to stupid CampingWorld ? It's not a reversable model and has no thermostat.

[thenewkid64]

Yes.

If you have no thermostat or lift motor, juts pull the inner trim, find the wires and reverse the connection.

If you have a lift motor, then you will need to pull the switch and change the ires. It sounds like they just connected the wires backward.

[linc54]

Reverse the power and ground wires as they connect to the fan. That's what the switch does.

Regards,
Charles

[16595]

Great job! And great photos. My fan is on order. Do you have a contact phone # for the Fantastic Fan Co. so I can get my Airstream adapter on the way?

Dwight

[BobbyW]

Dwight/16595;

I bought my Fantastic Vent here. >>> http://members.aol.com/fantasticvent/

He ships them with the Airstream trim piece. Also a fair price to boot.

[16595]

I should have asked here before ordering thru Camping World. Your source is only $3 higher, and the service sounds great.

Thanks,

DO

[thenewkid64]

He will also configure the fans with different domes, etc for the cost of the domes. I just got 2 with completely opaque insulated domes, the up charge was 18.00 and they were installed as well as the garnish was trimmed to the correct height upon receipt. Scott is a member of the forum too.

[87MH]

Originally Posted by BobbyW

I bought my Fantastic Vent here. >>> http://members.aol.com/fantasticvent/
He ships them with the Airstream trim piece. Also a fair price to boot.

Bought mine from Scott, also - he knows the product and takes time to explain all of your options (Domes, colors, reverse, autorain, etc....)

Delivery was as promised.

His knowledge was worth a great deal as there was so much more to ordering a fan than I was aware of. I purchased the clear dome, but there are many others available. Scott can explain the differences, and then you can think about the one just "right" for your installation.

[malconium]

I did not realize that there was a curved trim panel even available. I have already purchased and installed 3 Fantastic vents. My AS is a 1973 31' Sovereign. The old units I took out had a metal surround that seems to be flat on both the top and the bottom. Because of this it seemed to me that it was OK for the new ones to be flat also instead of curved. Of course the old ones also had a plastic light fixture mounted on the inside so any need for curvature directly on the bottom of the vent would not have been a visible issue. My inner skins are still off so I have not yet installed the inner trim ring. Am I going to find there is too much curvature of the ceiling panel to work with the flat trim? Are older trailer models more rounded on top?

Malcolm

[87MH]

Originally Posted by malconium

..... Am I going to find there is too much curvature of the ceiling panel to work with the flat trim? Are older trailer models more rounded on top?

I think you will find a gap of between 3/8" and 1/2" with the flat interior panel - entirely taken out by the "airstream" curvature interior panel.

The flat exterior mount simply conforms to the anticlinal dome of the airstream roof with screws/rivets. (I've been carrying that word (anticlinal) around in my head for the past 30 years - first opportunity to use it )
I used the kit supplied screws on my installation - will probably do so again should I decide to replace the rear fan with a Fantastic.

I think I read that ALL of the dome curvatures were the same (trailer and motorhome (except G2)) until the new wide bodies were introduced.

[AnnZ3]

It isn't working. Is the most common problem a shot motor? Should I just buy a new fan? Also in my 1965 Caravel there is a switch on the wall near the sink. Is that for the fan? I have a small button type switch on the fan that does nothing. I have no idea how to tell what is wrong.

Thanks for any help.

Ann

[mcneon]

I know that the Fantastic Fans are available with many different types and colors of domes. Anybody care to share their experience with and recommendations for these options? What do you have, and would you buy the same thing again?

Bob