Vent cover install question

[Phil2008]

I'm looking at installing a vent cover this spring. I was planning on using the brackets that come with it however the dealer here says that it will loosen up over time from vibration etc. They prefer to fasten it right to the roof instead. I'm worried about them fastening to the roof that it may eventually leak. Need some feedback.
Thanks.

[DanNJanice]

Originally Posted by Phil2008

I'm looking at installing a vent cover this spring. I was planning on using the brackets that come with it however the dealer here says that it will loosen up over time from vibration etc. They prefer to fasten it right to the roof instead. I'm worried about them fastening to the roof that it may eventually leak. Need some feedback.
Thanks.

I used the brackets. On mine, you drill four small holes, one for each bracket, into the flange around the existing vent. The cover was held on by screws with lock washers/nuts. I suppose over time they could loosen, but I would just check them once a year or so. You could also put on some threadlocker if you are concerned about them loosening up.

[abarkl]

All the covers we've installed on 3 RVs over the years have never came loose, we buy them for $19 each at Walmart.
We would rather risk the loss of a cover as opposed to more holes in the roof and potentially thousands of dollars in water damage.

[norty1]

I would not let him install them that way. The fewer roof penetrations, the less chance of leaks.

I used small bolts with nuts on the inside of the flange. Check them for tightness every year or so. I had them on 2 other campers with nothing but sheet metal screws and they did not come loose.

[hoppers4]

If you're concerned about them coming loose, use lock nuts with the plastic inserts.

[wanderlust]

Originally Posted by hoppers4

use lock nuts with the plastic inserts.

That's what I did in tandem with lock washers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jl_q9E_KT8&t=2s

[SouthCo]

No way I'd let them fasten it to the roof. I've never even heard that mentioned before...

[RedHorse1]

The standard mount allows any water that gets thru the vent opening to drain out around the bottom. As others have suggested, the fewer holes in the roof the better. Also as suggested use the nylock nuts or threadlock (loctite) to attach. Check the brackets for any looseness during the periodic roof inspection (you'll need lap seal additions several times before the mounting bolts need tightening - if ever). I've installed a cover on both units we've owned and never had a problem. I'm also a fan of the MaxxAir cover, but that's just me.

If you will have the roof inspected I would look for another service shop.
IMHO, bad advice.

[Big1]

Yep, everything have being said I want repeat it but I know this I wouldn't let them do it, I did all three of mines a few week back and it was simple, just four 3/16 holes around the flange of the vent (not the roof) and it's a done deal.

This was one of the best mod I did.

[TaftCoach]

I'm trying to follow their logic. Why bolts through the side might come loose but not into the roof? It seems whatever they were going to do down they could do sideways.

The views expressed may not be mine in five minutes.

[klpoppe]

If they made that suggestion I would question any work they ever did. I put the Maxxair on mine.. Easy to do and probably took 15 minutes.. Do not let them penetrate the roof.

[Big1]

The bracket goes on the side., like this, you should get a better pics of how to do this but their are some I believe that want you to take the seal off of some of the screw to put the cover on.

New cover.

New Maxxair cover over that.

[Big1]

All of the Maxxair cover over all of the other cover.

[Crabman]

In 7 years mine never came off and were never retightened. Like the others I have never heard of another way to install them other then the provided brackets.

[Tunce the traveler]

3 years and over 25,000 road miles and still tighter than bark on a tree.

[Phil2008]

Thanks all for the feedback. That's the way I was leaning towards so your info has made my mind up . Brackets it will be.

[norty1]

Most of them have brackets on one side that makes them easy to fold up for cleaning underneath.

[Marcm157]

I installed mine by drilling through the existing flange as others have said. I did use loctite as extra insurance. I would never let someone drill through my roof for this type of install.

[Jopopsy]

I’m going through this exercise now. The Fantastic Ultrabreeze cover mounts differently then the Maxx-Air Fanmate cover. The former requires you to lift the sealant to get at the screws along the edge of the fan assembly and put the brackets on that way. The later requires I drill 2 holes per bracket not more then 1/2” deep and fasten with screws, not bolts/washers/nuts. The instructions say for powered fans to not drill all the way through so as not to hit any wires.

I’d rather it be a drill through the side of the fan job, but I’d also rather bolts and nuts to secure it and not screws.

So I’ve got a conundrum.