Forum Discussion

TARDIS_TIME_TRA's avatar
Sep 03, 2014

MAXXAIR FAN MATE BRACKET FAILURE

MAXXAIR FAN MATE BRACKET FAILURE
We recently had a visit from prospective Tiger RV folks. I washed the Tardis from top to bottom to make a good impression on them. In the process I noticed the Fantastic Fan Cover (MaxxAir Fan Mate)seemed to be loose. After closer inspection I found 3 of the 4 mounting brackets for the MaxxAir Fan Mate cover were broken or severely cracked. If you haven’t checked yours recently you probably need to at least once a year or every time you bath your RV. Attached are the before & after repair photos. I had to cut one of the nuts off with a metal cutter. None of the parts removed were reusable. To make sure I got the right mounting brackets I purchased them at our local RV Center. One more trip & we would have lost the whole cover, to say nothing about possible messing up someone else’s vehicle. Check yours out before your next RV trip…The Tardis Time Travelers.

rear bracket cracked completely


Hinged side Both cracked - see below




new brackets installed




fixed (lock down) side--------------------------------------hinged side
  • I have two plain vanilla covers that I bought in 2003 and just found three broken brackets on the rear cover. Didn't check the front. Don't know how long they have been broken. Called Maxxair (316 832 4357, prompts 1 and 7) and they are sending out two sets of brackets at no charge today. The Tech did not know if the brackets had been redesigned because they just bought Maxxair two years ago.
    I will try to support them as described above to avoid the `fatigue failure'.
    Surely can't complain about the service in this situation.

    Later checked the front which were OK.
    Installed the new brackets and found that the slot in the bracket doesn't seem to extend far enough for the bolts to sit completely upright, ie not as far as the old ones, but I used them anyway. Also, the new brackets have one mounting screw hole instead of two.
  • The Logans wrote:
    Have you let Maxxair know about their brackets? I suspect that they would be VERY interested!


    I will bet they would send out new ones and I would bet they are upgraded.
  • Have you let Maxxair know about their brackets? I suspect that they would be VERY interested!
  • This comment was posted on the Tiger Forum. "Those look like fatigue cracks. Maybe you should put some rubber spacers under the brackets at the cover attach points so that the cover can't bounce, flexing the metal."

    I thought this was a great suggestion.

    This is how I solved the vibration problem as suggested by "bway" above. I used 4 square section of Airx Shock Decking which we use on boats to stand on. Each little Hour-glass shaped section absorbs part of the shock load. I will let you know how it is working when we return from our Tardis Time Travel Adventures in Nov. Thanks again for the suggestion…..

    views of shock pads


    two of the shock pads in place
  • I have installed the MaxCovers and also the one with a fan installed. Nice products.

    I bought a Fantastic Fan UltraBreeze cover. I installed it recently. It is a superior system to the MaxAir. Easier to install with quality hardware. MUCH better airflow. No screen to restrict air flow.

    I only purchased one to see if I liked it. After I installed and was impressed I went to CW to buy two more since I was in the mode and setup. Of course they were out of stock. Ordered two from CW online. They are more $ than the others but are much better.
  • Nice work, great info Thank you. This really applies to almost all RV owners
  • Thanks for the great write up and pictures.
    I have the same set up on mine and will check it during my regular cleaning/inspection routines.