Install a Ventline VP-543SP?

[adrianpglover]

I have recently come into possession of two new Ventline VP-543SP roof vents. I'm debating as to whether or not we should install them in our E3 or not. I'm not concerned with the install process and while I already have an AC there are the pushpin marks on the ceiling above the shower for a vent, so I know a good location to put one. The only thing that's really holding me back right now is that the design of this vent uses a handle that you push/pull on the inside of the camper to operate it. I'm concerned that once installed, this handle would be pushed by the canvas when we close up the camper, leaving a nice hole open on the roof of my camper when closed up so that we can easily soak one corner of the camper. The only images of one of these installed in a camper I've seen before were on an apache, so no canvas to push the handle up with. I haven't yet checked the thickness of my roof, but from what I remember it's between 1-2" at the AC. I've included a link to the etrailer product page for this vent for reference.

Thoughts?

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-and-Fans/Ventline/VP-543SP.html

 

[PopUpSteve]

That is a valid concern. Way to think ahead!

 

[xxxapache]

My TT has one of those in the bathroom. Mine is pretty difficult to push up. When it is open or up, it is designed to not leak. I think in 8 years, I have only seen it leak once when open and that was in a torrential downpour. The amount of water that leaked in was minimal.

 

[adrianpglover]

Yeah, I'm more concerned with it being open and driving in a rainstorm. Thinking that the 75 mph wind of us driving without any external wind would be enough to push water up under that little cup if it's up. I have seen the review comments on the vent saying to replace the thin sealing foam with a denser weatherstripping, and if I do end up installing this then I'll likely do that.
That being said, I have had (a very small amount of) rain come in through my AC before. Not by leaking around it, but wind was blowing water backwards through the condensate drip line.

 

[Warfarin]

Looks like and interesting vent. Would go good over my shower area. Interested to see what you decide. If you decide to go ahead with this would you please document it and post it here. I’m very leary about cutting into my roof.

 

[Dingit]

I'm sure you can rig a way to lock it down if needed. Also, do you actually need it?

 

[adrianpglover]

I'm sure I could make a block of wood or something that would insert between the handle and the vent frame itself. My concern with doing that though is the handle is only plastic that attaches to some thin sheet metal on each end of the handle. Thinking that closing the lid might put enough pressure on this thing to break it.

I suppose what I really need to do at this point is to measure the thickness of my roof and figure out how much of this thing would protrude into the camper.

Do I actually need it? Well, do we actually need a camper? No, but it would be nice. So same thing here: No, but it would be nice. There are times that we don't want to run the AC, but there's just no breeze and we want a little bit of air movement. The position in the camper that they've marked the ceiling with the 4 pushpins, other than the AC location in the center of the ceiling, is above the shoilet. It wouldn't operate as a "bathroom vent fan" exactly, since we are talking about the entire camper effectively being a tent with some curtains put up as space dividers, but it could help remove some smells, pull cooler air in during the mornings when the breeze hasn't started yet, etc. Also, I came by these and figure I should either put them to use or think about passing them on. I'd rather at least try the mental effort of putting them to use.

 

[xxxapache]

Those handles are easily broken. Broke mine last year.

 

[adrianpglover]

Poking around online found my AC unit on etrailer. Says the kit is made for roofs 2.5-5" thick. My AC is installed with a second piece of the roof insulation material doubling the thickness, so I'm guessing that my roof is around 1-1/4" thick or thereabout. So to even install this I'd likely need to put something in to thicken the roof where I do put it at. I'll have to think about this a bit more, but I will be sure to post it back here if I do go for it.