Baja Man
Inland Empire, CA
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Joined: 02/20/2005
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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.![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/confused.gif "confused")
Thanks!
2003 Ford F-350 XLT Super Duty, Crew Cab, V10 (6.8L); 4X2; Standard Bed; SRW; 4R100 trans
2009 Thor-MVP RV- Tahoe 284SA
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Wiscampsin
Wisconsin USA
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Joined: 06/11/2004
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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.
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sgfrye
north carolina
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Joined: 06/27/2017
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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.
x2 on the above, ive installed on past and current TTs
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ksg5000
Oregon
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Joined: 06/30/2008
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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.
Kevin
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Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
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Joined: 08/09/2008
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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.
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Baja Man
Inland Empire, CA
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Joined: 02/20/2005
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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.
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MFL
Midwest
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Joined: 11/28/2012
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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$$ed job. It likely won't leak, but made removal/replacement a future issue. IMO, if you bought the covers from them, they should not charge any labor, for that type install.
Jerry
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N-Trouble
NorCal
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Joined: 12/02/2005
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There’s a saying. You want it done right...”. Easy stuff like that they will throw a kid on and thats what you’ll get. Do it yourself if you want it done right. Probably a 30min job
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Lynnmor
Red Lion
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Joined: 07/16/2011
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N-Trouble wrote:There’s a saying. You want it done right...”. Easy stuff like that they will throw a kid on and thats what you’ll get. Do it yourself if you want it done right. Probably a 30min job
Yep, when I bought a new trailer the kid installed a vent cover with no charge for labor. You can still see the imprints from his engineer boots. And of course I redid the half-a$$ed self-tapping screws they used.
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deltabravo
Spokane, WA
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Joined: 09/08/2003
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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
2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2009 Arctic Fox 811 (bought new 11/9/09)
2018 Timber Ridge 24RLS (bought pre-owned 3/12/20)
2008 Haulmark 8.5x20 toy box trailer
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