All RVers have one thing in common: they all need to breathe. This is why vents are such an important part of any enclosed trailer or rv roof vent they allow fresh air to flow, help eradicate odors, and even protect you from gasses and fumes within.
Your RV’s roof vent may leak, break down, or just stop flowing air as it should over time. The good news is that replacing your RV roof vent (or installing a new vent in a different location) is a project you can complete at home. We’ll walk you through the steps of selecting, installing, and replacing a roof vent in the sections below.
Choose Venting Options
After you’ve taken the relevant dimensions, you may choose the color and any additional features you desire, such as fans or remote control choices. Below, we’ll go through some of the most important options. Contact Air Duct Repair And Replacement Norcross.
Fans
Fans improve air movement and circulation and are ideal for bigger RVs and campers without air conditioning. If your old vent had a fan, make sure the new vent has one as well, and that it uses the same power source as your old one (most use 12V DC power, but some run on 110V AC).
If you don’t have a fan but desire one, you can update and install one by connecting wires to the motor. (In some cases, a good fan can even take the place of air conditioning.)
Furthermore, some powered vents provide even more luxurious possibilities. Most vents must be opened by hand, however, some have remote controls that allow you to open/close the dome or regulate the fan from a distance. Some models have an automatic feature that detects the temperature inside the camper and turns the fan on or off as needed.
Vent Covers: Metal Vs. Plastic
The most durable are metal lids. They will not be harmed by hail or eroded by the sun.
They have a low, flat profile for added clearance. When closed, they also block out light.
Plastic lids are usually higher and have domes than flat metal coverings. The dome design allows for water runoff, reduces ice damming, and reduces leakage. Most are white or smoke-tinted and enable light to pass through, so you don’t have to rely solely on your interior lights. They are, however, more susceptible to weather damage than metal covers (though polycarbonate plastic covers will be more UV-resistant than polypropylene covers).
Learn more on how to repair holes in HVAC ducts.
RV Roof Vent Installation
The installation instructions will be similar whether you are replacing an existing vent or installing one from scratch.
If any extra install kits or materials are required, check the product description and installation instructions for your vent assembly. The following installation, which features the MaxxFan Deluxe Roof Vent w/12V Fan, should be used as a guide. Make sure to read and follow all manufacturer instructions included in your vent assembly kit’s owner’s manual.
The following procedure shows how to replace an RV roof vent.
What You'll Need To Replace An Old Vent
- To replace an old vent, you’ll need the following items:
- Ladder
- Screws
- nut driver or screwdriver
- knife for putty (to remove old sealant)
- Sealant
- Gun for caulking (if sealant requires a caulk gun for application)
Procedure:
Step 1: Cut A New Opening Or Remove The Old Garnish
Remove the old trim ring/garnish piece from inside the RV if you’re replacing an existing vent.
Mark the preferred placement for your vent if you’re putting it in a new area (make sure to stay between roof joists). Then, through the roof and ceiling, cut a 14-1/4″ × 14-1/4″ (or other sizes as needed) aperture.
Step 2: Remove The Putty And The Old RV Roof Vent
Skip this step and go to Step 3 if you’re installing a vent in a new location.
Apply butyl tape to the trim piece.
To reach the mounting screws on the roof, carefully peel off any old sealant around your current vent. However, you can also use a putty knife or other instrument. Remove the vent. If your camper has a powered unit with wires, turn off the electricity and snip the cables, allowing enough wire length to make new connections. Then scrape off any remaining sealant to ensure a clean surface.
Warning: Be careful, not to harm or tear the roof membrane when removing old sealant with a putty knife or other instrument.
Step 3: Install The New RV Roof Vent And Secure It
Apply butyl tape or sealant to your new vent if you’re building it without a fan. Place the vent in the hole (make sure it’s pointing the right way!). For further information, consult your installation instructions) and press into place to form a seal. Make certain that all screw holes are completely hidden.
If you’re installing a vent with a fan, run the power supply and ground wires first so you can connect them before inserting the fan. Apply butyl tape or sealant on the trim ring and press it into place to seal it (make sure it’s facing the right way!). For further information, consult your installation instructions). Ensure that you have filled all holes completely. Screw-in place with the provided mounting screws, then cover it with self-leveling sealant. Connect the wires, then gently attach your fan, tucking the cables within the hole you made as you go. Install the screws.
Before inserting the fan, use the manual control knob to open it.
This will make getting everything in order much easier.
Step 4: Replace The Garnish
Inside the camper, attach the interior garnish piece. If required, trim to fit, then screw in place. When doing so, be careful not to break the garnish. Any protruding cables should be tucked out of the way (only make sure they don’t get stuck in the fan). Test all vent functions, including the open/close function and, if applicable, the fan.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we can say that the procedure to repair an RV roof vent is quite easy and handy. One can easily do it with minimal help.