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So, you really enjoyed your nice morning hike in the woods, where the air smelled like pine and warm earth. But when you come back to your camper or RV, it stinks like that morning’s bacon and eggs. The air feels stuffy and hot, and you’re not excited to sit inside. Yep, that’s one sure-fire sign you need an RV roof vent.
A roof vent, which comes in a standard 14×14″ size, fits in the roof of your RV or campervan. It pops up using a manual or electric crank handle, and its fan works to circulate the outside air into your rig.
One of these handy roof vents is critical for air flow, whether you’re driving down the highway or camping. It helps eradicate steam from a shower, cooking smells, and moisture from a humid climate. Keeping that moisture at bay is especially important during the cold winter months when mold likes to grow.
Why not just run your motorhome’s AC? It takes a lot of power, way more than a typical RV roof vent.
Picking the right RV roof vent can be overwhelming given the sheer number on the market. We wanted to give you a comprehensive analysis of the most popular vent fans out there.
The types of RV roof vents
The two main types of roof vents are these: electric, which run off 12-volt power, or non-electric. Both vents are typically 14×14″, which is the standard size for a roof vent.
Here we’ll break down the pros and cons of electric vs non-electric vents.
Electric vent pros:
- Has several speed settings
- Works both to draw air in and push air out of your rig
- Some come with a rain cover and sensor
- Some come with a built-in thermostat to help regulate temperature
Electric vent cons:
- Needs a 12-volt electrical system to operate, which needs an external battery
- Can be noisy
- More expensive than non-electric vents
And here’s our comparison of the non-electric vents. Keep in mind that non-electric vents work to let hot air out of your vehicle as heat rises.
Non-electric vent pros:
- Doesn’t use power
- Cheaper than electric vents
- Very quiet
- Works to dissipate heat and cooking smells
- Lets in outdoor air
Non-electric vent cons:
- Lacks fan speed settings
- Some don’t have a fan at all
The best electric roof vents for campervans and motorhomes
If you’re searching for an electric RV roof vent, there are two brands of rv roof vents that are clear winners. Both the Maxxair roof vents and Fantastic fans are good quality and durable, and made by reputable companies.
These fans are popular in the RVing and van life community, and with good reason. The major difference between the two brands is the fact that Maxxair comes with a built-in rain cover.
Both of these vans run off a 12 volt system common in campervans and RVs, and draw minimal power.
1) Maxxair MaxxFan Deluxe
C: www.airxcel.com
Maxxair has several lines of roof vents, but we think the MaxxFan Deluxe is the best. It’s the only complete RV ventilation system that includes a vent, fan and rain shield all in one unit. That’s why the MaxxFan Deluxe is top on our list when it comes to RV vent fans.
These vans come with 10 speed settings, so can be whisper-quiet at the lowest setting. They also include a built-in thermostat, screen, and two lifting arms, which reduces flutter in high winds.
Two of the Maxx Air fans come with a remote control, if that’s up your alley.
Here is a breakdown of the differences between the various MaxxFan Deluxe models, courtesy of Airxcel.com, the maker of the Maxxair fans.
Here is a list of the various pros and cons of the Maxx air fan.
Pros:
- Comes with a rain cover
- Two lifting arms add stability
- Thermostat
- Goes into ceiling fan mode when the rain cover is closed
- Low profile – 5″ height when closed, 9.3″ when opened
- Runs off 12volt power and needs 5 amps max
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Price
- Some reviewers say remote isn’t easy to use
To read through the MaxxFan Deluxe’s owner manual, click here.
2.) Fantastic Fan Vent
Fantastic fan vents come in a very close second to the Maxxair brand, and are preferred by some RVers and van lifers. They’re cheaper than Maxxair, but don’t come with the awesome cover that allows you to keep using the fan in the rain. You can purchase a rain cover for an additional cost, though, so there are options if you love the Fantastic Fan.
According to the manufacturer, Fantastic Fans are “designed for maximum air exchange, minimum sound levels and power consumption.”
There are several models of the Fantastic fan, which can be confusing, so you should be sure to browse the models and pick which one is right for you. The key differences between the models are the number of settings, whether they come with a remote, a rain sensor and the price. You can pick anything from a basic model to more advanced, depending on your needs.
Here are the electric models of the Fantastic Fan so you can click through and figure out which is best for you.
The company has been around for decades and is highly regarded among the motorhome community. In fact, it was recently purchased by Dometic, which makes high-quality portable refrigerators.
Pros:
- Very quiet
- Durable
- Cheaper than Maxxair
- Some models come with a rain sensor
- Some models include a remote
- 3-14 speed settings, depending on the model
- Built-in thermostat
- Easy to control air flow – whether you want it to exhaust or intake air
Cons:
- No built-in rain cover
- Some reviewers say the rain sensor doesn’t always work
3) Heng 12 volt RV Roof Vent
These are less than 1/4 of the price of the other popular roof vents, and get good reviews on Amazon. These are built with a galvanized metal base and are rain and wind resistant.
Pros:
- Cheapest electric RV roof vent we found
- Weather resistant
- Galvanized metal base
Cons:
- Some say it doesn’t move much air
- Purchase installation kit separately
- Gets mixed reviews
4) Vortex II RV Roof Vent
This roof vent is manufactured by Heng’s, and claims to move three times more air than other standard RV roof vents. It has a 3-speed fan that either pumps air in or exhausts interior air. The unit is easy to install – fan must face downward – and only requires a Phillips screwdriver. It gets mostly good reviews on Amazon and popular with RVers.
Pros:
- Three-speed fan
- Can either intake or exhaust air
- Moves more air than other RV vents
Cons:
- Some report low-quality control
- Can be noisy at high fan speeds
- Some have trouble with installation
The best non-electric roof vents
Non-electric vents are great for people who don’t feel like building out wiring to power a fan. These vents work well to let heat, smoke and cooking smells escape your campervan or RV, and don’t make a sound. They’re often cheaper than the electric fans.
1) Fantastic Fan models 800 and 900
Fantastic Fan model 800
Pros:
- Requires no wiring
- Static vent
- Cheaper than electric vents
- Weather resistant
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Don’t come with various fan settings
- Doesn’t work both to intake and exhaust air
2) Ventline Roof vent
Pros:
- Cheaper than other non-electric roof vents on the market
- Has extra sturdy crank handle
- Comes with a 2-piece removable screen
- Doesn’t require wiring or a 12 volt battery system
- Very quiet
- Excellent reviews on Amazon
Cons:
- This is a static vent with no fan
- We couldn’t find many cons on this one!
3) Round Solar Roof Vent
This solar-powered roof vent can be used in an RV, campervan, sailboat, shed, bathroom, wherever you see fit. It’s one of the cheapest non-electric RV vent we could find, at just under $30. This vent isn’t the traditional 14×14″ roof vent, so make sure you check the parameters before cutting a hole in your rig.
This roof vent has a fan but it’s powered by solar, which we think is great. The manufacturer says it can be used in any structure, from an outhouse, to a travel trailer, and moves air slowly and quietly.
Pros:
- Affordable RV roof vent
- Solar powered with a fan
- Moves air quietly and slowly
- Can be used a variety of structures as long as it receives direct sunlight
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it’s made out of cheap plastic
4) Heng Roof Vent
Pros:
- Very affordable static roof vent
- Designed to withstand wind and weather
- Galvanized metal base
- Popular among RVers with mostly good Amazon reviews
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with any installation hardware
- Some reviewers say its poor quality
5.) Dometic Ez-Breeze Vent
Dometic’s Ez-Breeze ventilation vent comes in two models – the 500 and the 600. These RV roof vents have a built-in rain cover so can stay open at all times. According to Dometic’s website, they provide three times more airflow than standard vents and require no special wiring to set up. These fans are built with UV grade metal so won’t warp in the sun.
Pros:
- Requires no wiring
- Static vent
- Provides 3 times air flow of other vents
- Comes with built-in rain cover
Cons:
- This is a static vent with no fan; photo may be misleading
- Gets mixed reviews on Amazon
Conclusion
We hope this guide helps you pick the best RV roof vent for your motorhome or campervan.
For an electric roof vent, our top pick is the MaxxFan Deluxe.
For a non-electric roof vent, our top pick is the Ventline Fan.
Let us know which fan you pick and how it works out. Your comment will help others decide. Good luck!
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Great article. I just had my second fantastic fan put in. It leaked ALOT on the 2 trips I took after it was installed. The RV place I had it Iinstalled at took care of it. I have not been out in the heat yet. I’m waiting for summer to arrive. 😀 we have to get through the winter first..
OH. I cannot find the link to the free campsites you posted. Would you please repost? Thank you
You actually have to enter in your email and you should be able to access it! It not, please email me kristin@thewaywardhome.com and I’ll send it to you!