Community Forums

murbot · 05-27-2022, 01:39 PM

Hi,
Looking to replace my original 4" vent fan(s). Not sure I want to spend $300. Is that really getting me something I need that a $90-120 fan doesn't? I might go as high as a Maxxair 00A04401K.

Does a $300 fan last that much longer? Less likely to leak? Noise? It's not just power. They also have lower power models in that higher price range.

Anybody get a $120'ish fan and end up upgrading to a $300 fan? Why?

Thanks for any tips or suggestions !

MrMark52 · 05-27-2022, 02:43 PM

There’s a big difference between those 4” fart fans and the true vent fans that fill the vent opening.

1) Quiet operation
2) The higher volume of air moved
3) Many of them you can reverse their direction (although I don’t know why you would want to draw air off the roof and pump into the coach.
4) Many have thermostatic control to turn the fan off/on depending on temperature.

Go visit some coaches that have the various different manufacturers designs and see for yourself their operation and what features best suit your needs/wants, and pocketbook.

Wiscampsin1 · 05-27-2022, 02:46 PM

We've had Maxxair fans on our last 3 campers. All 3 were quiet, multiple speed, reversible, and had a thermostat that would turn them on/off if we weren't there. Worth the extra cost IMO. Make sure you put fan covers over whatever you buy so you an keep them open in the rain.

Dave Pelletier · 05-27-2022, 03:31 PM

No comparison in noise and air movement between the generic 4" plastic fans and a MaxxAir or Fantastic fan. I've got three MaxxAir fans in my ORV and they are awesome; very quiet and you can set them via remote for intake or exhaust and various % speeds. They work great and I have no issues leaving them running......the little 4" fans, I would only turn on when absolutely necessary and I turned them off immediately after as they were 10X louder......and probably moved 10-20% of the air volume at best.

Dave

MrMark52 · 05-27-2022, 03:44 PM

Our 1st coach had the Fantastic Vent in the dining area - it was awesome. And then it had the 4” fart fan in the bathroom that I replaced with the knock-off version of FantasticFan. It was OK and while it was quieter, it was no where near the FantasticFan.

Our 2nd and current coach has the same 4” fart fan for the bathroom. I haven’t done anything to it yet.
The living area vent was a static vent - no fan. I changed it out to the base model FantasticFan - 3 speed, thermostat control, reversing - I saw no advantage to having a remote (becuz if I can’t stand up and walk 3 steps to change something on the fan, then I don’t deserve having it).
The Rain Control option makes no sense either, especially when you’ve got the big shroud covers over the “lid/skylight”.

Skibane · 05-28-2022, 03:11 AM

Most of the 4" fans aren't really fans - they're noise-makers.

An entry-level Fan-Tastic or MaxxAir fan should suffice for your application.

All you really need is variable speed, and reversible.

The rain sensor, thermostat and remote control options are just fluff - they add very little to the basic usefulness of the fan.

Persistent · 05-28-2022, 06:14 AM

Lots of good advice above.

A Maxxair 00A04401K would probably be a major improvement over a 4" fan like I have. Reasons to spend more include:
Operator can't reach the controls. Remote "on/off".
Remote open/close.
Close when it detects rain.
Open and close based on temperatures.
Wind and Rain shielding.
Etc.

Kipkeller · 05-28-2022, 08:20 AM

Have had 3 Fantastic Fans in 3 different trailers. All were the basic fan. Bought the FF over the Maxxair simply because of made in US vs. China. Will buy another if this one goes.

murbot · 05-28-2022, 08:56 AM

Great info. I didn't say anyone complaining about the lower end (sub $150) models.

I'll give the Maxxair a shot, before I eventually give in and get the Fantastic fan. lol

Thanks !

1rdrgrl · 05-28-2022, 03:07 PM

We had Maxxair in our last trailer and the Fantastic fan in the current one-we've been happy with it so far. I prefer the Fantastic Fan. We had to have the Maxxair fan board replaced, Google "Maxxair green light of death" and you'll see what a pain it it.

Teakmtn · 05-29-2022, 10:30 PM

I have the deluxe maxx air fan in my bedroom with remote and love it. However, this fan is so much cheaper;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I put it in the bathroom and it's perfect for that application. There are some great YouTube videos on it. Check it out. The only negative is, since it does not have a remote, it can be difficult to reach the switch, depending on how high your ceiling is.

Teakmtn · 05-29-2022, 10:31 PM

Whoa, I said it's a lot cheaper. Maybe not, but still worth a look. Less than a year ago I paid $57.00 for this fan.

Tsugem64 · 05-29-2022, 11:43 PM

I second the Vortex fan suggestion. I've used one for 3 years with no problems in my TH.

wrvond · 05-30-2022, 12:02 AM

My old TT had a fart fan in the bathroom that worked “good enough” for 10 years but the one in our new 5er was worthless for clearing steam out of the bathroom (or anything else) so just today I replaced it with a MaxxFan Deluxe 06401K. At first I was disappointed it isn’t reversible but then realized it doesn’t need to be. The amount of air it draws in through the open windows is phenomenal, and the integrated cover with screen gives an amazingly low profile. Compared to the tiny fan it replaced it is amazingly quiet, even on high speed. I’m very pleased.