Floor Vents

[DanDweller]

Has anyone here installed floor vents in their van, and if so, how did it turn out?  I'm looking to install at least 4-6 of them, in combination with the vent fan on the roof, to stay cool in the summer.  Looking for ideas.  I see that all the way in the back of my Ford Transit Connect, in the base of the body's two columns there is already some kind of opening with a rubber flap covering it that goes out behind the bumper.  Can someone explain what these are all about? Could they be modified for vents or for passing cables/hoses through?

 

[Cajunwolf]

So your thinking of the fans on the top pulling up cooler air from under the van? Interesting idea. As to the areas you're talking about, explain a little better or a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[abnorm]

GypsyDogs made some in her cargo trailer conversion...……………

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=34910

Remember they need a tight seal against "exhaust" when traveling...…..



According to the Ford forum....those existing rubber flap/holes allow the air pressure to adjust so the sliding doors can close 'easily'...…...

 

[WalkaboutTed]

We have two four inch diameter floor vents in the backs of our vans. Primarily in order to stealth with the windows closed and using just the overhead fan on low. They work well, but its important to close them up before driving. We have a varmint screen on the bottom, then the screen and then screw in deck plates on top.

We haven't had to use them much lately as we're not doing much stealthing recently.
Ted

 

[Doubleone]

Most cars have vents in the door jambs or near the trunk to let air out when you slam the doors shut... that's probably what you're seeing. They usually have a water/dust/noise flap that goes one direction. I suppose you could run wires through there, but I'd suggest to find a better spot out of the water zone.

 

[rokguy]

This is the second motorhome truck conversion where I've installed floor vents in several corners.
They work really well naturally drawing air from under the vehicle and with roof vents open will keep clean cooler air constantly circulating even on the hottest days.
I have used 150mm (6in) boat screw type ports, simply cut the desired hole in the floor to size and crush a slightly oversized heavy gauge flyscreen into the opening then screw it down. The tops are simply screwed in and out as you need them. Obviously DO NOT drive with them open.

 

[DanDweller]

Thanks for the replies and ideas everyone! I think I have a plan.

 

[DanDweller]

This is the second motorhome truck conversion where I've installed floor vents in several corners.
They work really well naturally drawing air from under the vehicle and with roof vents open will keep clean cooler air constantly circulating even on the hottest days.
I have used 150mm (6in) boat screw type ports, simply cut the desired hole in the floor to size and crush a slightly oversized heavy gauge flyscreen into the opening then screw it down. The tops are simply screwed in and out as you need them. Obviously DO NOT drive with them open.

 Great idea!  Funny enough, I just purchased one of these 6" boat screw type ports to install a cat door in the floorboard (as per the recommendation given on an older thread, with a baffle box and then a regular cat door to come into the main area, keeping bugs and other critters out).  But I ended up getting the more expensive stainless steel version because of a couple issues I saw when reading the reviews on the plastic ones.  The first issue was that they can be hard to screw in and out, and want vaseline to work well (wouldn't work with my cat's fur always passing over the threads, but as a vent, maybe wouldn't be an issue).  The second issue was instead of a rubber O-ring they had some cheap foam thing and were said not to be so waterproof.  Have you had any issues with difficulty removing and with water?  Alsp, which brand is this, or can you provide a link?  I don't know why I didn't think to just use these for vents as well as for a cat door.

 

[bullfrog]

If not much weight was going to be put on it, I think I might try a Gama lid for a 5 gallon bucket or a 6" square driveway drain with a plastic pipe cap.

 

[rokguy]

 Great idea!  The second issue was instead of a rubber O-ring they had some cheap foam thing and were said not to be so waterproof.  Have you had any issues with difficulty removing and with water?  Alsp, which brand is this, or can you provide a link?  I don't know why I didn't think to just use these for vents as well as for a cat door.

I just buy them from a marine chandlery and as they are made for yachts which I've also had them on (not for floor vents !!!) they are waterproof with proper rubber O ring gaskets.
I pull them out every now and then to clean around the underside rim. The original floor of the truck box is 1/2in thick Tallow wood which I used marine stainless screw fasteners.

 

[maki2]

Sea-Dog is a reliable and affordable brand for deck plates. They have a variety of styles including a quick release version that you pull up on a ring with. I would think that for many conversions for a floor vent that style would be both adequate and convenient. They do have stainless but unless you are going to be walking on it fairly often the ABS units will be just fine. I live in a community of thousands of boats, my partner lives on a boat, I am in and out of the marine supply stores quite often for materials for my build. I have purchased many items from the Sea-Dog company and they have all been excellent quality and value.

 

[rokguy]

I'm sure you will find there are plenty out there for sale on Mr Google.