Roof Vents on New Trailers????

sixwheel · 08-10-2008, 02:43 PM

After being away from RVing for about eight years, we are looking for a new travel trailer. We've had a motorhome and a 5er in the past. Fulltimed in a Jayco fiver for about three years. We have just about settled on a new Keystone Sprinter 272RLS trailer. While looking at it yesterday, I noticed there are NO roof vents (except in the bathroom). Salesman said they have been deleted in the new models because of problems with water leaks. I can't imagine being without a roof vent, preferably with a fantastic fan in it. Does anyone know what's going on with this? Just Keystone, or other manufacturers too? Maybe just a content delete to save money? Any thoughts??

sixwheel · 08-10-2008, 02:43 PM

After being away from RVing for about eight years, we are looking for a new travel trailer. We've had a motorhome and a 5er in the past. Fulltimed in a Jayco fiver for about three years. We have just about settled on a new Keystone Sprinter 272RLS trailer. While looking at it yesterday, I noticed there are NO roof vents (except in the bathroom). Salesman said they have been deleted in the new models because of problems with water leaks. I can't imagine being without a roof vent, preferably with a fantastic fan in it. Does anyone know what's going on with this? Just Keystone, or other manufacturers too? Maybe just a content delete to save money? Any thoughts??

RedGuy · 08-10-2008, 04:13 PM

I was under the impression all those extra vents where options. My TT (granted it's older and smaller)only has 1 roof vent in the bathroom. I installed a Fantastic Fan in it, and it works great, I just have to leave the bathroom door open to draw air in the rest of the camper. I've been thinking of cutting a couple large holes in the bathroom door and installing something like a register vent over the holes. That way I could still get ventalation to the rest on the trailer with the bathroom door closed.

**NLOVNIT** · 08-11-2008, 02:00 PM

sixwheel,

First, thanks for posting. Welcome to irv2. You've come to the right place for answers.

I, personally, have not noticed the lack of vents in either TT's or 5-r's. I can't imagine 1 vent being enough, even in the smallest of rv's. I most especially think it's important to have a vent above the stove/oven (not just in the bath) since most TT's & 5-r's I've looked at don't vent the hood exhaust outside (they just blow the air back into the rv - how dumb is that?!?!?!?).

We've never had a leak issue with any of our vents. IMO, if the mfr has an issue with leaks, then they aren't installing them properly & using leaking as a reason not to put them in is ignoring the production issue rather than addressing it.

L-

RustyJC · 08-12-2008, 04:02 AM

Our 5th wheel has the 2 air conditioners ducted in the ceiling and an exhaust fan in the toilet room as well as above the range. It has no crank-up vents in the ceiling.

I suspect the lack of these vents in our RV has more to do with sound deadening and maintaining the R value of the insulation package than with the manufacturer "cheaping out".

Rusty

sixwheel · 08-12-2008, 05:19 AM

Thanks for the responses. Wife is pretty much set on this trailer but I think the vent (lack of) issue could be a deal breaker for me. We've also never had leak issues with vents on previous RV's.

Thanks again. I'll let you know how it all works out.

Sixwheel

Blue74 · 08-12-2008, 07:52 AM

Just a guess but it might be their excuse as to why they did not install any vents in the roof. My Alfa had 3, one in the living room with a fantastic fan and one in the bathroom and the on in the bedroom that I just installed an A/C unit into.

Paul

TXiceman · 08-12-2008, 08:11 AM

I think the lack of roof vents is purely cost related for the manufacturer. It cost him $$$ to frame out and brace for a vent hole and then more $$$ to add a vent.

Our old 79 SS has 3 roof vents plus the hole for the A/C.

RustyJC · 08-12-2008, 08:43 AM

I guess I'm in the distinct minority here, but I've had 'em in all of our previous RVs, and I don't miss them at all in our current one. In fact, I'd rather not have them.

No, I've never had them leak, but I've certainly had them sweat in cold weather, and the lack of insulating and sound deadening qualities of the plastic "lids" meant that our vents in our previous RVs kept the insulating pillow-thingies in them just about all the time.

Rusty