Replacement roof vent advice needed.

[Keyair]

1984 Airstream Motorhome, with 2 AC units and 2 fantastic Fans.


Currently painting the roof white, so took the rear bedroom vent out, to reseal, and found it is cracked at the corners, maybe a leak source, and is generally old/shabby looking.
Looking at replacing it, but stuck on which way to go.
The Motorhome will be spending most of its life in CA, or the West, and as always, a lot of storage time currently as I finish it.

Temperatures at the storage are regularly over 100f in summer.
I'd like to leave the vent open and let the heat escape when I'm not there, but worried about rain squalls.

I prefer to have the batteries isolated, so automatic vents are a no.



Choice #1: Maxxfan 5100k, in white, 10 speed, reversible, with manual operation.


Choice #2 Fantastic Fan 1250, 3 speed, reversible, and add a vent cover to enable it to be left open.


Cost is about the same.
Like the look of the Maxxfan, but reviews on quality seem variable.
Fantastic Fan has stella reputation, but the domes are ugly!



Thoughs, opinions, experiences are welcome

[Starstream]

We have 2 MaxxFan 700 models, installed in 2015. One of them was damaged a bit during shipping which kept it from closing the lid completely. We contacted MaxxFan’s technical support and they sent a replacement part for free. That fan has been a bit of a problem child. We had to replace the lid open/close gear last year. When I called the company to order a new part, I got the same tech guy on the phone. Miracle of miracles, he remembered me & knew exactly what part we needed. We had the part in a few days. Their phone system seems to indicate they only deal with RV repair technicians, but they’ll assist DIY owners too. They don’t make it difficult to get to their PDF repair manuals either.

What we like about our 700s – have a manual knob which allows open/close without battery power; fans are multiple speed & can reverse direction; will operate like a ceiling fan with the lid closed; the lid design does keep rain out when they’re open; can be operated with/without their included remote controls.

On the flip-side, we have a fairly basic Fantastic Fan in the center/kitchen area. I don’t remember what model it is, but instead of a lid which opens at an angle while in operation, it just pops straight up a bit. Meaning it doesn’t need the goofy dome. We’re less than pleased with it though. It cracked during our first trip from TX to IA, taken a few months after all the fans were installed. It’s only a few feet away from the AC, so we may not replace it with another fan. Its main function has been extra ventilation while the propane stove is in use. The original stove ventilation died in 2017 & I’ve recently found a replacement I like very well.

We have yet to just go on a “local” camping trip since we’ve owned our trailer. It’s been a reno in progress which we’ve now taken to SD, IA, & MN on 4 different trips. (Family & friends we’ve needed to visit up there.) Since we’re out & about anyway, we have a tendency to wander about a bit & do our camping while on the road. I think it’s safe to say we’ve put 20k on our trailer. That might even be a bit conservative. Other than our gear issues with one Maxx, they’re holding up very well. They just need a bit of spring cleaning right now.

[Keyair]

Thanks.
I read quite a few bad reviews of the Maxxfans, and was a little concerned.

[Airtandem]

place a piece of 1x2 or 2x2 between the inner and outer skin. this will eliminate the breaking of the corners of the fan due to vibration while traveling. Do this on the edge of the fan AWAY from the rib.
Since you have the manual fan, I wold suggest the "hoods" over the fans; it's easy to forget to close them when away and it rains. Don't ask.
mj

[rowiebowie]

We like our Maxxfan. Why add something to a Fantastic fan that comes with the Maxx already and is much more streamlined as you noted?

I have not heard bad things about Maxxfans by the way. Only problems with some Fantastic fans with automatic rain sensors occasionally not closing. Not something to worry about with Maxxfans.

.

[silverlabs]

If interested I have two Fantastic Fans that I pulled from mine about a year ago when I replaced to Maxxair 7000's. Both are in perfect running order. I have one of the covers for FF as well. Gave the other to a buddy of mine. If interested send me a note.

Chuck

[Woosch]

We always liked our Fantastic fans but we decided to replace them last year and thought the Maxx was the way to go. Couldn't be happier with them. Not sure how they are getting bad reviews.

[SeeMore]

I have two Maxxair fans (5100K & 6200K) and one Fantastic fan (8000 in bathroom).

I installed the Maxxfans about eight years ago and have replaced the lid lift gearing three times. The gear housing is punk metal and cracks with age rendering the lift arm inoperable. It is an easy repair, about 10 minutes, but a pain when it happens which is always far from home. I carry a spare gear mechanism. Otherwise, they operate as advertised and the reversible, 10 multi-speed feature with built-in rain hood is what I like best about them. The Maxxfans are very quiet on low speed settings.

The Fantastic fan has never failed but is used much less frequently.

[tinbender]

Not a statement on the good or bad of Maxxfan but be advised that it takes more room to the rear to install one due to the length of the built in cover.

Might not make a difference depending on what is on your roof.

[Starstream]

We have a 31' with one MaxxFan at the front & one at the back. No problem with either of them fitting on the roof.

[Keyair]

Good stuff!


Ordered a Maxxfan 05100k... white top, manual lift, 10 speed, reversible.


Do need to stiffen the rearward edge of the mounting flange, as its super floppy.
Thinking about taking my Shrinker out there and make a 2" x 2" L bracket and edge shrink a curve in it.

[perryg114]

My advice is to leave the stock vent on the trailer and put a metal lid on it. Anything plastic will deteriorate and leak. Mine has plastic inserts inside a metal frame and I replaced the plastic with aluminum.



Perry

[BeckyBee]

Originally Posted by silverlabs

If interested I have two Fantastic Fans that I pulled from mine about a year ago when I replaced to Maxxair 7000's. Both are in perfect running order. I have one of the covers for FF as well. Gave the other to a buddy of mine. If interested send me a note.

Chuck

Hi Chuck,

The cover of my FF is cracked--the one in the living room (Classic 30' w S/O)--do you think it might fit?

BB

[Keyair]

Vent arrived just over a week ago.


Got out the the Motorhome to fit it on Friday.



Pretty pleased!
Lowest speed is near silent, and draws 0.5 amps, and warp 10 speed moves a lot of air and draws 2.7 amps according to my newly installed Trimetric!



Just one question.
What is the best method to get the best fit of the flat vent on the curved roof?
I have a little ripple in the skin on the rear of the vent dispute my best efforts to tighten the screws sympathetically on the sides!
Also, how does everyone deal with the interior trim?