Community Forums

Phil Perrin · 08-08-2018, 05:03 PM

So, we headed up towards Asheville to go camping today.
Shortly after we got on the road, a truck driver honked at us and pointed towards our TT. I pulled over and looked over the trailer. Didn’t notice anything.
We got to the CG, set up, and it started raining. I noticed that I was low on propane. While waiting on the guy to get back and fill my tank, I got a text from Pammi.
The truck driver had been pointing at the bathroom vent cover. It was gone!

Pammi had taken the shower curtain and put it into the sink, securing it with some soap and shampoo bottles, funneling the rain water into the drain!
I had a small tarp in my truck box, so after it stopped raining, we put it over the back and secured it with some bungees.
Luckily, there is a CW about 45 minutes from here. Guess that I’m heading there tomorrow. I hope that someone has a ladder so I can get up there and replace it!

goreds2 · 08-08-2018, 05:12 PM

At least you can do it yourself to save money. How old was it? Maybe it need replaced in the near future anyway. (Glass Half FULL)

ThomB · 08-08-2018, 05:37 PM

Maybe consider a MaxxAir cover?

Phil Perrin · 08-08-2018, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goreds2

At least you can do it yourself to save money. How old was it? Maybe it need replaced in the near future anyway. (Glass Half FULL)

My TT is a year old. That’s why I’m so upset about it.

Waiter21 · 08-09-2018, 06:08 AM

Leaving the vents open while traveling can cause them to shake, rattle, and roll (and then they break off). One cure for this is a MaxxAire cover. Not only protects the cover while traveling, but also lets me keep the cover open, even in a rain storm.

charliez · 08-09-2018, 06:33 AM

They are items that you just have to replace occasionally. The sun eats them up.

Phil Perrin · 08-09-2018, 07:43 AM

[Mod Edit]
Do I have to replace the movable cover or can I just put the Maxx Aire cover on and call it good?

wiredgeorge · 08-09-2018, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

Leaving the vents open while traveling can cause them to shake, rattle, and roll (and then they break off). One cure for this is a MaxxAire cover. Not only protects the cover while traveling, but also lets me keep the cover open, even in a rain storm.

Have a Max Air cover over bedroom vent. Had gully washer with hard winds from the south. Vent was open and bed got wet. It isn't impossible for rain to finds its way through a Max Air cover.

AFChap · 08-09-2018, 09:01 AM

Max Air cover is just a cover ... it would be like having a window open all the time somewhat shielded from the rain. The vent cover shouldn't cost much and is easy to replace. Sun, wind, hail, etc kills the vent covers. Put a max air cover over them and they can easily outlast the RV, and the cover is pretty tough too.

Phil Perrin · 08-09-2018, 11:45 AM

Thanks for all the prompt responses!
CW only had the Maxx Aire covers in stock at their store. I’ve ordered a new regular vent cover from Amazon and it’ll be there Saturday when we get home. I’ll install it then, before I take it to storage.

Waiter21 · 08-09-2018, 12:49 PM

The MaxxAir won't take the place of your regular cover.. There are about three different styles of vent covers, depends on hinge and the crank mechanism..

Look at your other covers and see which ones look similar, then take a couple photos of the hinges area and the crank arm area.. Most any RV place should have them in stock as this is a very weak item..

When you get ready to install the MaxxAire covers, do NOT screw them to the roof, use the 90 deg brackets that bolt to the sides of your existing cover frame.. Before you drill the little holes, Open the vent up about 1 or 2 inches and then position the MaxxAire over your vent cover so the back of the MaxxAire cover is about 1 inch from touching the vent cover. Then use a marker pen to mark where the mount holes should be.. This should give you the maximum distance that your cover can then be opened..

Dav L · 08-09-2018, 10:33 PM

My vent cover got wacked by my out of control awning and cracked off. Went to CW who stated that Fantastic Vents didn't service the cover and I had to buy the whole $300 deal.

I was a little skeptical knowing vents break all the time.
But I needed a vent in case it rained so bought one of their generic lids for $35 or so.
I modified the lid by scavenging the hinge and opener bracket from the Fantastic Vent and retrofitted it to the generic. It worked!

Stopped by Colaw RV a few days later and they had the Fantastic vent lid replacements in stock!
So, took the new generic off and put the correct one on.

At least I now have an emergency spare that is already modded.

Thanx CW!

nytmare · 08-10-2018, 10:27 AM

Was on a trip last year and during a lunch break, I noticed that my front vent cover was in the up position. I though this odd since I was certain I closed it before leaving the CG. Climbed up on the roof to find that the vent's cranck gear housing had come loose (crappy ass plastic rivets) and the gears not meshing allowed the wind to lift the cover. I temporarily fixed it with a C-clamp and then had it replaced under warranty. I've since installed a Maxxaire hood cover and am very happy with it.