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Blanco1's avatar
Blanco1
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013

How to replace roof vents?

I need to replace all my roof vents & plan to start with the two square ones & wonder can I replace just the plastic part that lifts & closes or must I replace the whole thing including frame & fan & etc?
Seems like a lot of work with sealing it & all that?

& if I do need to replace the whole thing might you recommend a good up-grade from the stock '85 Lance ones?

Thanks for your input.
  • If you don't want to take the old one off first take a picture of the hinge. Also there may be a part number molded into the outside of the cover. Those two items will make sure you get the correct part. I just replaced one of mine 2 weeks ago. Sundance's instructions above covered it pretty well. Only issue I ran into was the curved piece of metal that is the hinge was bent too tight to allow the lid to close. I had to "unbend it" a little to make it work.
  • @ Blanco1

    Ventmate makes replacement lids for most manufacturers. Heng's is another one. Pull your old one off and take it in to an RV parts store. They should be able to match it up for you.

    Then put some Maxxair covers on and you will never need to replace them again.
  • You should just be able to get replacement parts. You need to figure out what brand you have. On my rig, I have Fantastic Vents in the rear bath and main living area. In my half bath, it has a Vent Line vent with fan.

    The dome on it was so brittle I managed to shatter it when I bumped it while washing the roof. I was able to get just the plastic dome but while I was at it, I got an upgrade kit for the screen and frame on the inside. The old design you had to take the thing half apart to get the screen out to clean. The upgrade frame has a removable screen.

    After replacing these two things, that bath looks brand new.

    If it is a Vent Line fan, the style of the dome depends on the year of manufacture - they changed sometime after 2006 or 2008 I think.
  • i just replaced all of mine.. I with with fantastic vents 5000rbt. pretty easy to do. Just make sure you get the right self leveling sealant for your roof and a fresh role of butyl tape...
  • Sundance07 wrote:
    Yes, you can just change the stock cover if you choose to.

    Take the screw out of the handcrank from the inside so that you can remove the inside frame and screen. Then disconnect the linkage from the vent.

    Then get on the roof and open the vent fully by hand. You can then slide it sideways out of the C channel that holds it. The channel may have a little bend in it at the ends to prevent it from moving it sideways. Just bend it open enough to slide the cover out. There may also be a screw in the channel that does the same thing. Just remove it to slide the cover out.

    Slide new cover on, hook up linkage, reinstall screen and crank and you're done!


    Being just the plastic that has finally broke I would like to simply replace the minimal.

    Thanks & the square one are all the same standard size no?
    Might go camping tomorrow & then maybe replace them while out there?
  • PapPappy wrote:
    Depending on what is wrong with the old vents, you may want to just get a cover for the vents.
    MaxAir Vent Cover Will go over your existing vents, and you can leave them open....it works with the fans too.
    '

    The plastic has completely cracked & the broke.
  • Yes, you can just change the stock cover if you choose to.

    Take the screw out of the handcrank from the inside so that you can remove the inside frame and screen. Then disconnect the linkage from the vent.

    Then get on the roof and open the vent fully by hand. You can then slide it sideways out of the C channel that holds it. The channel may have a little bend in it at the ends to prevent it from moving it sideways. Just bend it open enough to slide the cover out. There may also be a screw in the channel that does the same thing. Just remove it to slide the cover out.

    Slide new cover on, hook up linkage, reinstall screen and crank and you're done!
  • Depending on what is wrong with the old vents, you may want to just get a cover for the vents.
    MaxAir Vent Cover Will go over your existing vents, and you can leave them open....it works with the fans too.

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