MaxxAir II Vent Covers - Installation

[Baja_Man]

Hello--
I had 4 MaxAirII vent covers installed about 9 months ago by a VERY reputable local RV repair shop. Shop has been in business since 1958. They've done work for me over the last 20 years and it has always been top notch work with fair prices.

At the same time as vent cover install, I also had the entire roof washed with conditioner and resealed all roof protrusions. Shop used Dicor lap sealant for all roof resealing. Roof is 12 years old with many black dots all over where white has rubbed off. Shop said roof would need to be completely coated in the next 1-2 years as more black spots appear indicating white material is degrading which is normal for an EPDM roof.

After speaking with them about the vent install, I asked how my vents were installed. He explained that the mounting brackets are screwed directly to roof. I asked why would additional holes be added to roof making for potential leaks. He said the screw holes are all sealed with same Dicor lap sealant used to reseal all vents/holes. They have always installed them this way with zero problems (over 30 years). He said not to worry about leaks, just be sure to inspect roof 1-2 times per year and add lap sealant to areas as needed.

I mentioned that I had installed them personally in the past, to sides of the aluminum framed vent to avoid holes in the roof. He said that was another way to install but for shop to install that way would increase labor costs to customer (perhaps twice the labor hours).

Is screwing to roof a BAD way to install these vent covers? Nothing to do about it now since there were already installed.

I'm a worry-wart and this kind of stuff lingers in my mind.:?

Thanks!

[frisco_dave]

Ahh...deltabravo- used your video as my guide to do my MaxxFan install back in Jan. Very nicely done, and helped tremendously.

Not sure why I waited so long to do the replacement of the OEM fan. that think is a pos. MaxxFan is wonderful.

[GDS-3950BH]

Maxx Air II fans can be mounted to the vent housing or the roof as the dealer did. Also a Maxx air OEM fan has built in eyes in the bottom flange of the fan housing that the cover simply clips to with the snap pins, although when used OEM like that the cover ends up sticking into the sealant as its too close to the roof surface.

It all depends on the vent housing, with some and most of the newere plastic ones the supplied brackets when attached to the vertical sides of the vent housing will not line up properly for the snap pins.

[CharlesinGA]

Normally there are L shaped brackets screwed to the sides of the vent frame, and they stick out and the cover sits on and is screwed to them, the cover actually does not touch the roof and may sit off of it as much as a quarter inch. It they screwed it directly to the roof it was a half ass job and they threw away the parts kit and the instructions. Shop manager not paying attention to what is going on and people who don't know and don't care.

Charles

[4x4van]

I would also be worried that they may have sealed the base of the new cover to the roof. They need to be able to drain any water that finds it's way inside the cover. If they screwed the base of the cover down to the roof, they may have put a bead of dicor down first. THAT would be a problem.

[Baja_Man]

What's done is done. I don't like holes in roof if not needed. These were not needed, but they are there. With proper maintenance, they will NOT leak, just like all the other MUCH LARGER holes in the roof 12"x12" vents, plumbing vents, antennas, etc. that will NOT leak if properly maintained. Plus my rig is under a metal carport that I built especially for it....to protect t from the sun damage as it rarely rains in SoCal

[Dick_B]

If it wasn't for the fact that there will be holes in the roof screwing down into the roof makes a better installation IMHO.
I have installed two sets of covers using the recommended brackets into the opening wall and there can be issues: the screws into the wall can come loose from the vibration of the overhung load of the cover and the bolts/nuts can come loose for the same reason. Those nuts/bolts should be checked on occasion. I've had them loosen. and the overhung load isn't the greatest idea for an RV that bounces around like ours does.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I've installed vent covers - and the directions always say to screw into the vent frame. I'm about to do that again 🙂

But that being said - I just tore out a non-powered vent and replaced it with a Fantastic Fan. The good news/bad news: the Dicor used to install the original vent back in 1998, was STILL sticky/gooey (a true PITA to remove) and there was no sign of water intrusion anywhere. I have a LOT of faith in Dicor to keep things sealed up tight.

[deltabravo]

MFL wrote:
I would not be happy with a dealer that put unnecessary holes in my roof. The hardware comes with the vents for a proper install.

Ditto.

I would not want the roof vents mounted directly to the roof. THe ones I've installed mount to the vent itself.

I went one step better on my last 3 RVs and used the Maxxfan Deluxe which I show in this installation video

[Lynnmor]

N-Trouble wrote:
There’s a saying. You want it done right...”. Easy stuff like that they will throw a kid on and thats what you’ll get. Do it yourself if you want it done right. Probably a 30min job

Yep, when I bought a new trailer the kid installed a vent cover with no charge for labor. You can still see the imprints from his engineer boots. And of course I redid the half-a$$ed self-tapping screws they used.

[N-Trouble]

There’s a saying. You want it done right...”. Easy stuff like that they will throw a kid on and thats what you’ll get. Do it yourself if you want it done right. Probably a 30min job

[MFL]

I would not be happy with a dealer that put unnecessary holes in my roof. The hardware comes with the vents for a proper install. The dealer or service manager should have asked for approval before doing a half a$$ed job. It likely won't leak, but made removal/replacement a future issue. IMO, if you bought the covers from them, they should not charge any labor, for that type install.

Jerry

[Baja_Man]

Wiscampsin wrote:
We've had 6 campers and I always mounted the vent covers directly to the aluminum frame of the fan. I can't see how his method would increase labor costs.

I believe increase would be to drilling through alum frame of vent, using through bolts with lock nuts and washers as opposed to simply running a screw into roof.

[Sandia_Man]

Obviously a shortcut by your RV shop that others have not noticed or complained about, it's quicker but not by much if they have installed these vent covers a few times in the past. Overall, it should not be an issue as long as upkeep on roof seals is performed biannually.

These rudimentary type of installs are performed by the lowest level service techs in most cases, where getting the job done quickly is there primary concern. Since the shop has a good reputation it would not be something I would lose sleep over.

[ksg5000]

Might depend on the type/yr of the replacement cover. The ones I have worked with don't require drilling the roof. At any rate - what's done is done and you have to live with what they have done. U should be OK with periodic checking of caulking/sealant.