Do you really need a roof vent?

[bee]

Thank you so much for posting about the flettner vent. &nbsp;I had never heard of it, and I started using google.co.uk to look up information. Turns out there are all sorts of roof vents out there that don't seem to be sold in the US.<br><br>This speed vent shown in the link below has my attention because it flows lots of air, and is low profile. This means that it won't catch on tree&nbsp;branches&nbsp;when open, it won't cast a shadow on solar panels in the afternoon like fantastic or maxair. &nbsp;http://www.pacet.co.uk/roofmountedfans.php

 

[travel]

Yes, the distribution network is rather limited for the Flettner. Apparently they're very popular in Europe (since that's where the company is). I've never seen one on this side of the pond though. I only heard about it in a random thread on another forum, from a guy who used to live in the UK and came to the US. I'm not sure if the Flettner looks any more stealthy, but at least it's never going to look like the lid is flipped open and a fan is running. Then again, when parked, and if there is little to no wind, I'm not sure how it would compare to an electric fan with an open lid.<br><br>And I must have come across the Pacet roof vent at some point too. When I clicked on that link, I noticed that page was already bookmarked into my favorites! So many choices, I don't know what to do. No vent = better stealth. A low profile vent = a bit less stealth, but potentially a lot more comfort and better ventilation.

 

[MrNoodly]

As I've been driving around town I've noticed several work vans with ordinary 14x14 roof vents. Some were plain white vans, some had roof racks, some had graphics. Not even the plain vans seemed to shout "Someone might be living in here!" They just looked like they belonged there. It's like the commercial feel of the vans counteracted the vents. So maybe we're over-worrying the vent stealth thing. Now, it might be a different story with passenger conversion vans.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Those Pacet fans are awesome. &nbsp;7 amps and 900 CFM is a lot though. <br><br>&nbsp;If it had a remote speed control I'd start drooling

 

[highdesertranger]

i want to ask,&nbsp; why is having a vent considered unstealthy?&nbsp;&nbsp; and to the original post, &nbsp;i would want&nbsp;one to&nbsp;ah, ventilate!&nbsp;&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;others don't but i do.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[bee]

I don't think having a vent is unstealthy, I think having a maxxair or a fantastic fan open is however. &nbsp;That is my isssue they get larger when you actually use them.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;BTW if anyone has any information or experience with those pacet fans let me know, I am tempted to try to buy one from overseas, but i can't find much info on them.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Those wind powered fans seem to have good reviews, but they are a lot less cfm then pacet or fantasticFan&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I will say though that I only have my fantastic fan set at 1/4 speed most of the time, that makes it nice and silent.

 

[travel]

I think on a cargo van or a vehicle that's obviously a work truck it's fine to have a roof vent. A roof vent on a travel van or motorhome is more acceptable, because I think most people figure the reason you bought it is to sleep in it. I used to have a roof vent on my old 1991 Ford Econoline back in the 1990s. It was a plain white cargo van with no rear or side windows in the cargo area. On that van, I think it looked OK to have a roof vent because it was a work van. Would have looked even better if I had a roof rack or a ladder on top, or lettering on the sides. Plus, it was never parked overnight with the lid open, and especially not in a public area. Glad I don't have it anymore. That "white cargo van" syndrome thing wasn't as big of a deal back then either!<br><br>Now I have a window passenger van, my blue 2005 Chevy Astro. Part of the reason I really like it, is because it doesn't look like they type of vehicle you would suspect someone is sleeping in. It's got factory tinted windows, but I'm getting them tinted even darker for privacy. And for good measure, I'll put up blackout curtains over the windows and a tall curtain behind the front seats to separate the front from the back. That would be the only giveaway that someone might be living in the van. Otherwise it just looks like an old soccer mom's minivan or family hauler. Of course, many people, especially law enforcement, know people live and sleep in their vans, and they might be more wise to this than the general public. I think if I were to put on a roof vent on my otherwise very stealthy looking minivan, it might tip off more people that I'm sleeping in it.<br><br>That really frustrates me, because I know how beneficial a roof vent is. A compromise might be parking so that one side of the van, or the rear doors are very close to a fence or bushes (where nobody would walk between the van and whatever you're parked next to). I open one of my pop-out windows (with a screen on the inside of the van, attached with velcro or magnets to prevent bugs from getting it). And then aim a quiet household or 12V fan (table-top or clip on style) towards the open window. Or, aim it the other way to draw air inside. Easier and cheaper than having an extractor fan venting into a hole in the floor, although that's also an idea I've considered.

 

[travel]

Sounds like a plan! I like it!&nbsp;&lt;img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"&gt;

 

[laurieannie]

i have a cargo van and i am going to pop out one of the back windows and have a plate cut and fitted that my fantastic fan will mount in...just couldn't bring myself to cut a hole in the roof.&nbsp; will add pics when i get it done.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

If it was mine I would put a couple of windows in there and open them, that way&nbsp;I wouldn;t feel like I am living in a closet.... fiberglass is real easy to cut, holds together afterwards, all you need is 1\2 hour, a drill and a jig saw.... if you ask at an Rv dealer\ repair centre they&nbsp;usually have a few second hand ones laying around...&nbsp;keep the roof as clean as you can to save on fuel. I think this whole stealth thing is like the tokers at school, they were the&nbsp;only ones that thought they were invisible as they walked around reeking, grinning and shiny&nbsp;eyed....&nbsp;<img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif">&nbsp;

 

[ZOFCHAK]

i have a cargo van and i am going to pop out one of the back windows and have a plate cut and fitted that my fantastic fan will mount in...just couldn't bring myself to cut a hole in the roof.&nbsp; will add pics when i get it done.

<br><br><br>&nbsp; Have you considered the security issues that may cause?&nbsp;&nbsp; There's not much to a Fantastic fan and you can basically rip one out by hand, reach around and open the door.&nbsp; Also hot air rises, and the roof is by far the best place to mount the fan to dispel that air. Another thing to consider is the loss of stealth and that some fans are made to be run only in a horizontal position. Placing it vertically may put too much stress on the motor and lead noise, vibrations and possibly premature failure. <br><br>&nbsp;

 

[Peasant on the Pavement]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good roof vent? I saw this one on Amazon, but I wondering if this is used by anyone that can vouch for it or say heck no, Fan-Tastic Vent 01100WH Endless Breeze 12V Fan – also does anyone have instructions on how to install these things? I have a 2000 VW Eurovan, it is bright red, so it will stick out a little, but oh well, I do not wish to get Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[karl]

All it took was a wet bed one time for me to say no to roof vents of any kind....
Mine now vent through the wall or are ducted through the floor.
Sternwake has some good ideas on venting.

 

[akrvbob]

All my rigs have had vents. They really help cool things off.

All my vents have vent covers so no water can get it.

I've never had a powered fan in the vent. I prefer portable fan I can aim and move around. If you get one, you can't beat Fanatastic fan. Others are as good, none are better.
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

Since I put in a Fantastic roof vent, the inside temp has dropped about 15 to 20 degrees. Water came in one time...We had 70 mph straight line winds, and I had too much stuff packed in to reach the vent to shut it.

 

[AimlessWanderLust]

We elected to install a MaxxAir MaxxFan in the roof of our van instead of a Fantastic fan. We had Fantastic Fans in our previous campers... they were too loud to sleep with while running, and if it rains, you have to close the vent. The MaxxFan solves both those problems. It has ~10 speeds, the lowest few are very, very quiet. The vent lid is designed to be left fully open in rain with no water intrusion, but the lid is a little bit bigger than the Fantastic.

 

[peacetara]

I don't have a roof vent, I've lived in Ferdy for ~ 2 years now, and no problems, but I work to avoid time spent in hot areas. Opening doors, and fans helps a lot, if stuck in hot areas. I'd take one if they were free, and eventually I'll likely install one, because they seem really nice to have, but they aren't required by any means. I'd say start without it, you can always add one at some point if you feel like it's necessary.

 

[accrete]

i posted in this thread over a year ago and now have only MaxxFans installed on our rigs (took out all the Fantastic Fans). The MaxxFans are great! And at the lowest (of 10 settings) it draws .2 amps and can run all night. We also enjoy the small portable 3volt fans to direct airflow over the bed. A desirable effect for us is the white noise that is produced by the fan(s). . . nice for assisting in heading off into dream land.

here is a shot of our Fantastic Fan to MaxxFan swap:

Thom