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englewoodfl · 03-22-2023, 11:18 AM

We're going to orientation tomorrow but in looking at the dealers service board photo I saw that they install the Max (sp?) Air Cover for $145.95. Is it a good idea to get this installed?

1StreamDream · 03-22-2023, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by englewoodfl

We're going to orientation tomorrow but in looking at the dealers service board photo I saw that they install the Max (sp?) Air Cover for $145.95. Is it a good idea to get this installed?

There are mixed opinions on this ... here is my first hand experience. I installed a pair of the MaxxAir covers myself (my 25' has single AC unit, so I have 2 fans) and my overwhelming reason to do so was try to get a situation where my fans would operate all night in mild to moderate precipitation. I don't like A/C and only use it when it is so hot/humid I can't sleep, and too many times I have had my fans auto-close in the middle of the night due to moisture sensors. There is a fine line here, because that is also an important protection in the event of a heavy rain or a wind driven rain ... need the auto-close to help protect the interior in those situations. After installing the covers, I found no meaningful change in my auto-close dilemma, they continued to close when I wanted them to stay open, the moisture sensors were still initiating that sequence, so for me, they were *not* worth the cost. My solution was to replace the factory issue Fantastic fans entirely ... I now have the MaxxAir fan, with integrated manual close lids (no moisture sensor) that are designed to prevent rain from entering .... I am much much happier with that as my solution. I did both jobs myself, and although the fans cost significantly more than the simple plastic covers, they are providing the solution that I was after. Hope that helps you.

hikingcamera · 03-22-2023, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1StreamDream

After installing the covers, I found no meaningful change in my auto-close dilemma, they continued to close when I wanted them to stay open, the moisture sensors were still initiating that sequence, so for me, they were *not* worth the cost. My solution was to replace the factory issue Fantastic fans entirely ... I now have the MaxxAir fan, with integrated manual close lids (no moisture sensor) that are designed to prevent rain from entering .... I am much much happier with that as my solution. I did both jobs myself, and although the fans cost significantly more than the simple plastic covers, they are providing the solution that I was after. Hope that helps you.

Wow, we have a polar opposite experience. In the rainy Pacific Northwest, with the MaxxAir vents over our Fantastic Fans, our fans have never once closed due to moisture. We're able to run them (or just leave them open) through rainy weather and keep the air fresh. Since we camp year round, rain, snow, sun, they have been great for us.

I guess YMMV.

We had our dealer install them, so maybe there are some tricks in the install, some adjustments to the sensors perhaps, that is needed?

englewoodfl · 03-22-2023, 01:11 PM

Perhaps depending on year/model the sensor is located differently or has a different sensitivity.

I watched a YT video. The install looks really easy even with us getting a factory solar setup. Just have to measure carefully.

Silvr_Bullet · 03-22-2023, 01:40 PM

I have the Max Air cover for several season, my fan isn’t auto close, so it operates as I need , no rain or moisture leaks. I usually leave it slightly open between trips but not for forecast torrential rain forecasts just to be safe. It was about $150 installed. The only downside is it reduces light even though it’s white.

uraljohn · 03-23-2023, 09:25 AM

The factory installed Fantastic Fans are just fine. Disable the rain sensor. Takes about 10 minutes per fan to do this. Install the proper "Ultrabreeze" Fantastic Fan cover made to fit the fan. They allow the lid to open fully unlike the Maxx Covers. $145.00 each for the covers installed is highway robbery. You can purchase the proper "Ultrabreeze" covers for about $50/$60 each. Get the optional bug screens. About $15.00 each. You can easily install yourself in about 20 minutes per fan. Easy peasy install.

We are on our 2nd AS and have performed this on both the 2017 International 23D and our 2019 Flying Cloud 25RBT.

The rain sensor is a PITA. Closes the lid if I am even sweating inside the AS. With the proper "Ultrabreeze" covers it has to rain danged heard and be blowing just right to have any water come in. Have at it.

switz · 03-23-2023, 09:39 AM

We just got rid of the Fantastic OEM fans in both trailers after the ink was try on the purchase paperwork and installed complete Maxx fans. Never had any issues.

Our 2014 Classic made in January 2014 and our 2015 23D International Serenity made in September of 2014 have had great and quiet air flows. We also replaced the skylights with Magnum units.

hikingcamera · 03-23-2023, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switz

We just got rid of the Fantastic OEM fans in both trailers after the ink was try on the purchase paperwork and installed complete Maxx fans. Never had any issues.

Our 2014 Classic made in January 2014 and our 2015 23D International Serenity made in September of 2014 have had great and quiet air flows. We also replaced the skylights with Magnum units.

I’ve heard the Maxx fans are much quieter. If we didn’t have perfectly working fans and covers now, we’d totally switch.

Bunker · 03-23-2023, 10:28 AM

Those prices are in line with what I see in the PNW.

Pick your poison here. I don’t love ladders so I paid the “outrageous” $150 for the cover, but installed my own lithium batteries. As far as the cover, I’d consider it compulsory. It’s so nice to run the thermostatically controlled fan without worrying about the weather.

hikingcamera · 03-23-2023, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunker

Pick your poison here. I don’t love ladders so I paid the “outrageous” $150 for the cover…

Same. And our Airstream roof is crowded. I don’t even have a ladder I’d feel comfortable using to transfer to and from the roof of our Airstream. Wellbeing is priceless.

27ftToaster · 03-23-2023, 11:25 AM

I would venture to say that your money is better spent on replacing your Fantastic Fan with a MaxxAir fan, rather than using a cover. The covers, over a Fantastic Fan actually reduce the air flow. The replacement MaxxAir fan can be run in forward or reverse (suck air in or out) moves more volume of air, is quieter, can be left in the open position while in storage, or even in travel, comes with a remote, and more

AlIslander · 03-23-2023, 11:48 AM

I've considered the covers on my trailer with two fantastic fans. I too live in the pacific northwest and want to be able to operate the fans when is it damp outside. I haven't purchased the covers because I don't like how high they stick up and I think they might partially block the sun from my solar panels. Also, my fantastic fans will not open when there is condensation on the inside because the moisture trips the rain sensor. Even morning dew in the summer will sometimes make them close (which is not very quiet and wakes me up

)So even if it is sunny and dry outside I can't open my vents in the morning, which also means that if it's raining outside and I want to take advantage of the vent cover I wouldn't be able to open it anyway. I suppose if I did have the vent cover I would figure out a way to disable the rain sensor. YMMV
I'm probably going to look into the Maxxfan in the future, I would really like to be able to leave a vent open while driving.

Oh, and $145 seems a little steep to me but I guess would be worth it if you don't have the time or inclination to get up there, which I can totally understand.

lemley · 03-23-2023, 02:03 PM

Are the covers worth $145 installed? Probably not. After you get the ladder out they take about 10 minutes.

Do you want covers? The deciding factor for me was the dogs. When we leave for a couple of hours or stop at a restaurant on the road, the dogs go in the trailer with the fans on full. Covers are absolutely essential because it rains sometimes. Even in Texas.

Hikingsolo · 03-23-2023, 02:46 PM

Two years ago I replaced my 30 year old Fantastic Fan with a MaxxAir deluxe unit having a ‘smoke’ colored cover. Unfortunately the smoke wasn’t thick enough to keep out the scorching Arizona sun so I added the cover. Ten minutes to install at a cost of about $45. However, I already had the MaxxAir Fan, so installation only required putting in a couple of pins. My only negative comment is that the inside of the unit tends to collect dust on the smoke cover. It’s a bit unsightly, but better than fading my fabrics and making it hard to sit out of the brightness on some sunny days.

Seabrat1 · 03-23-2023, 03:13 PM

Only did this to get a remove control. My wife could not reach the controls of the Fantastic fan. What I love is it has a remote. It doesn't need a cover. It works when it rains because it keeps the rain out without a rain sensor and can stay open. When off, it closes and has a very low profile. But it is expensive.
Anyone need to replace their Fantastic Fan. I have an extra.

PatLee · 03-23-2023, 04:05 PM

Ditto exactly what uraljohn did (got the Ultrabreeze Fantastic fan covers) and they work great; and would address the OP's problem perfectly. I think it was ural john posting this same advice a while back that encouraged me to do it.

Bill M. · 03-23-2023, 04:29 PM

I think the fan covers are a good idea. I have the Fantastic Fan covers and like them. I expect the Max Air would be equally as good. I had fans without covers for years but always worried that they might not close if it rained and spent a few nights listening to it open and close. I think the fans covers do restrict maximum air flow a little but if it is hot enough for that to be a problem we switch to AC.

uraljohn · 03-23-2023, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatLee

Ditto exactly what uraljohn did (got the Ultrabreeze Fantastic fan covers) and they work great; and would address the OP's problem perfectly. I think it was ural john posting this same advice a while back that encouraged me to do it.

Thanks for the positive reply. Why replace brand new Fantastic Fans with Maxx Fans? Someday, way into the future, if our Fantastic Fans fail, I might consider switching brands. I am going to get my $$$ worth out of the original Fantastic Fans. They work great for us. So far, we have about 500 nights in our 2019 Flying Cloud 25 RBT and the fans are still humming along. Again, thanks for positive review.

PatLee · 03-24-2023, 06:52 AM

BTW - you can manually open your fan covers when fans are not running. I do this during when I'm heating the trailer to keep condensation at bay.

englewoodfl · 03-25-2023, 05:47 AM

We decided to skip the cover and see how it goes. We're in SW Florida so here the major weather is high temps and the occasional monsoon rain. It's tricky to forecast rain as we're only 4 miles from the gulf - things can change quickly.

Thanks for the comments. The dealer is delivering the 23FBT next week as we don't have the new F150 yet (but that's a different story).