Forum Discussion

schlep1967's avatar
schlep1967
Nomad
Jul 14, 2021

Max Air Vent Cover Maintenance

Well sort of...
Our 2009 5th wheel has a Max Air cover over one roof/fan vent next to the shower. I realized last week that even though the cover has caulking around it, the back side is not sealed as it is in fact a screened vent. This made me think that I have never had the cover off to inspect the actual seal around the vent. So last night I got on the roof to check things out.

What I found was that having the front and sides of the max air cover sealed basically holds any water that may get in there inside where it will sit until it evaporates. OR it will find any entrance around the actual fan that has not had any caulking replaced in the ten years I've had the camper.

So this is a heads up to those with Max Air type of covers. Remove the cover every few years and check the caulking that actually seals the vent/fan to the roof.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2021
    schlep1967 wrote:
    My Maxx Air was installed by Open Range. They used Butyl tape and then self leveling caulk. And they broke the plastic at every one of the corners when the tightened down the screws. We don't plan on having this trailer much longer. At 12 years old it has bounced down the road enough times I don't want to go into retirement with it. Hopefully the new one will get the quick connect Maxx Air II's.


    If I'm understanding your post the folks at Open Range were idiots since the Max Air covers an NOT ATTACHED DIRECTLY to the roof. you attach brackets to the actual vertical part of the vent flange and then the Max Air cover is attached to that. The Max Air cover never actually touches the roof ... it sits about 1/4" off the roof so it's impossible for water to get trapped between the cover and the actual roof vent.

    Larry
  • hornet28's avatar
    hornet28
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2021
    schlep1967 wrote:
    My Maxx Air was installed by Open Range. They used Butyl tape and then self leveling caulk. And they broke the plastic at every one of the corners when the tightened down the screws. We don't plan on having this trailer much longer. At 12 years old it has bounced down the road enough times I don't want to go into retirement with it. Hopefully the new one will get the quick connect Maxx Air II's.


    I sure wouldn't have them do any work on my unit if that's their level of competence
  • Dusty_R's avatar
    Dusty_R
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2021
    I put a MaxxAir 1200T on our MH. That was the one that had about an 145* arc, which would not allow rain in.
    We traded that MH for a new one, and I went to get a new MaxxAir 1200T to put on the new MH and found that they were no longer made. Wish I could find a good used one.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jul 15, 2021
    My Maxx Air was installed by Open Range. They used Butyl tape and then self leveling caulk. And they broke the plastic at every one of the corners when the tightened down the screws. We don't plan on having this trailer much longer. At 12 years old it has bounced down the road enough times I don't want to go into retirement with it. Hopefully the new one will get the quick connect Maxx Air II's.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Jul 15, 2021
    That's why I like the Maxx Air II that has the quick release pins so you can easily check the condition of the vent base caulk. The vent cover itself is never caulked as noted above.
  • hornet28's avatar
    hornet28
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2021
    The Max Air cover isn't meant to be caulked/sealed.

    Maxx Air vent cover installation by RV Education 101 - YouTube
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jul 14, 2021
    I didn't have any tape on hand. I did have a tube of Lap Sealant handy.

    This post is more of a reminder to revisit the SEAL under the covers than a recommendation of what to seal it with.
  • EMD360's avatar
    EMD360
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2021
    I use eternabond tape. It lasts at least a decade. Probably longer.

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