Adding a roof vent ? ?

[My3buicks]

I have a 78 Coleman Gettysburg, I was considering adding a roof vent.  am I opening up a can of worms?  How big of a job is it?  Is it really worthwhile?

[ScouterMom]

It shouldn't be to hard - I'd think the trick would be to cut the hole the perfect size and seal it REALLY well.

Both PUP's I've had have vents - and in the old one it did help keep out the heat that built up in the top.  

I'd like to eventually replace the one in my current starcraft - but it's way down on my list of must-do's right now.  There are some really nice ones available - including some that automatically close if it starts raining!

laura

[My3buicks]

I have a 78 Coleman Gettysburg, I was considering adding a roof vent.  am I opening up a can of worms?  How big of a job is it?  Is it really worthwhile?

Has no one actually done this ? ?

[flyfisherman]

Has no one actually done this ? ?

Probably not on that model. I've seen installations posted here of mounting an A/C unit where they had to cut the hole in the roof (same size as the vent and those were ABS roofs!)

If your going stricly for the vent ought not be too bad a job as the vent itself has the trim inside and outside to cover the cut edges. With my Starcraft's vent it also has the roof bracing for A/C - on the list of options it said it had the "A/C Prep Kit" which included the vent, roof bracing, the wiring to handle the A/C and an outlet marked for the A/C saying it was 20 amp.

Never installed a roof vent but did install an outside access door in the side of the popup. What I did there was to make a template, marked it on the outside of the camper, drilled a hole in the four corners and with the electric saw cut out the outside wall. The drill bit was long enough that it penitrated the inside wall (inside a storage compartment) and using the template again outlined what to cut and did same. Lucky enough that both cuts lined up and then installed the door! Obviously, the old handyman rule needs to be applied ... measure, re-measure and then measure again ... before you saw! Make sure, too, that you apply adequate sealant around and under that outside vent flange to make sure there's no future water leak.



Fly

[My3buicks]

Probably not on that model. I've seen installations posted here of mounting an A/C unit where they had to cut the hole in the roof (same size as the vent and those were ABS roofs!)

If your going stricly for the vent ought not be too bad a job as the vent itself has the trim inside and outside to cover the cut edges. With my Starcraft's vent it also has the roof bracing for A/C - on the list of options it said it had the "A/C Prep Kit" which included the vent, roof bracing, the wiring to handle the A/C and an outlet marked for the A/C saying it was 20 amp.

Never installed a roof vent but did install an outside access door in the side of the popup. What I did there was to make a template, marked it on the outside of the camper, drilled a hole in the four corners and with the electric saw cut out the outside wall. The drill bit was long enough that it penitrated the inside wall (inside a storage compartment) and using the template again outlined what to cut and did same. Lucky enough that both cuts lined up and then installed the door! Obviously, the old handyman rule needs to be applied ... measure, re-measure and then measure again ... before you saw! Make sure, too, that you apply adequate sealant around and under that outside vent flange to make sure there's no future water leak.



Fly

Thanks, any idea what kind of materials will be sanwiched in the roof?

[flyfisherman]

Thanks, any idea what kind of materials will be sanwiched in the roof?

There ought to be some real experts here on this subject who have been rebuilding their roofs!


Considering my Starcraft, first thing is the aluminum "skin", next some plywood, strafoam insulation and then the thin plywood interior ceiling.


Fly

[My3buicks]

surely someone has done this

[AustinBoston]

surely someone has done this

There was a detailed, well-written and well-illustrated article in Pop-Up-Times a few years ago about adding a roof vent.  I didn't find it in the archives.  Does anyone have a link to the article or know which issue it was in?

Austin

[chrismarques]

I don't know how your roof is constructed but here's some pic's of mine being installed on my 1982 Viking roof.
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/cmarques1/ceiling%20and%20powered%20vent%20fan%20mods/

Mine is an aluminum skin, 1" of foam and paneling on the ceiling. I made a 14" square template and cut after measuring many times. After cut out, I removed enough foam from the opening to frame  it out with 1"x2" wood to screw into and sealed with an installation kit and caulked the outside. I also ran wires for the 12v fan.
Before cutting anything, be sure what is inside ( supports, bracing, wiring).
It's a pretty easy job once you are sure about cutting into the roof.
I was going to install the larger 14" vent in place of the factory 9" vent on mine but there is a steel plate to support the door clips right next to the vent so I had to cut a new hole.

[jmckinle1]

I have a 78 Coleman Gettysburg, I was considering adding a roof vent.  am I opening up a can of worms?  How big of a job is it?  Is it really worthwhile?

I am not an expert but I installed a 14" roof vent on my '97 Coleman yesterday.  I installed the vent over the stove and stayed away from where the door hangs.  I drilled a 3/8" hole at each corner and used a sabre saw to cut out the 14" square hole.  I could have protected the top from scratches with masking tape but didn't.  I set the vent on GE silicone caulking.  I installed the vent with the hinge to the front of the PUP.  The vent came with a trim piece for the inside so I did not have to make a frame.  The vent did not come with any screws but I had some 3/8", #8 sheet metal screws.  The roof had aluminum skin, 1" styrofoam and thin plywood on the inside.  I didn't make a template but that would be a good idea.  The vent I installed did not have a fan.  I left the roof popped up and used a ladder.  I slid the front bunkend in to finish installing all of the screws so I wouldn't have to lean on the roof.  The inside plastic trim bezel only had 4 holes for screws so I drilled 4 more. The entire installation took 30-40 minutes total.  Most online RV suppliers sell 14" roof vents.

[jbolling76]

I am not an expert but I installed a 14" roof vent on my '97 Coleman yesterday.  I installed the vent over the stove and stayed away from where the door hangs.  I drilled a 3/8" hole at each corner and used a sabre saw to cut out the 14" square hole.  I could have protected the top from scratches with masking tape but didn't.  I set the vent on GE silicone caulking.  I installed the vent with the hinge to the front of the PUP.  The vent came with a trim piece for the inside so I did not have to make a frame.  The vent did not come with any screws but I had some 3/8", #8 sheet metal screws.  The roof had aluminum skin, 1" styrofoam and thin plywood on the inside.  I didn't make a template but that would be a good idea.  The vent I installed did not have a fan.  I left the roof popped up and used a ladder.  I slid the front bunkend in to finish installing all of the screws so I wouldn't have to lean on the roof.  The inside plastic trim bezel only had 4 holes for screws so I drilled 4 more. The entire installation took 30-40 minutes total.  Most online RV suppliers sell 14" roof vents.

Have any pics or would you mind taking some? I've been intersted in this also.

[My3buicks]

Have any pics or would you mind taking some? I've been intersted in this also.

Well, did the big hole in the roof job today - it was a rather easy job, that ended in a nice result.  The vent I put in has a fan and a light built into it.

[My3buicks]

outside

[ptbrauch]

I had to replace the vent on my 86 Colt.  The original had been sealed up by a previous owner because it leaked.

I bought a 14"x14" vent from an RV dealer for about $35.  I installed my with the camper closed.  I made a template, traced the outline and then used an angle grinder with a cutting wheel to cut out he space (since my camper was closed, I used the angle grinder so I wouldn't cut too deep and cut my mattresses).  I then "glued" it with some silicone before putting in all the screws.  And then I put more silicone around all the edges and screws to be sure.  

On the inside, the trim piece on the inside required my roof to be thicker than it was.  After looking at it, I realized that it would fit if it was on the interior of "frame" it was supposed to fit into.  I cut a small slot out of it so I could fit it to the interior.  I've had no problems with it.