How to Replace or Install an RV Roof Vent

Vents make it possible for RVers to breathe. If you’ve got an enclosed trailer, then you’ll need to invest in a vent to allow fresh air to flow into your RV, eliminate odors, and protect you from gases as well as fumes inside the camper. Vents leak over time, though, or simply break down. Make sure you watch out for the signs, so you can start shopping for an RV roof vent as soon as that happens. That way, you won’t need to wait until the vent dies on you. You can have a new one put in place before that happens, preventing any inconvenience. Here are tips to help you.

Measure the Roof Vent Opening

Make sure you get the numbers right. It wouldn’t hurt to double-check those figures. Any error in the numbers can lead to a buying complication. If you’re putting in a vent where there was none previously, you’ll need to create an opening between the roof joists. That’s where the new unit will go. For sizes, you’ll find that standard vent openings are around 14-1/4 x 14-1/4 inches.

Pick the Right Location

You’ll find it much easier to measure the vent from the inside of the trailer. If you have an interior trim or garnish that gets in the way of that, though, no worries. Just remove the piece first to get to the edges of the opening.

Measure the Garnish Too

The garnish is a trim piece. It’s placed over the vent opening and gives the area a clean, polished, and finished look. There’s usually a channel or groove on the vent. You slide the garnish there or screw it to the trailer ceiling with screws to keep it in place.

Look for a Garnish

If your garnish is several years old, though, this is a good time to think about getting a new one. These exist in plenty of sizes or depths, which is referred to as the leg length. That means the garnishes fit a variety of vent models and roof thicknesses, so check which ones work with yours. Don’t forget to check the size and measurement before moving on to the next step.

Know Your Options

Check out options for the vent. Start by finding popular brands and styles. Which ones make for an excellent match with your RV? Do you want one with a ton of bells and whistles? Or what about getting one with fans? You can also browse around for remote control options. Some are also designed with automatic features so the unit can sense temperature changes in the camper. When it does, it’ll either turn the fan on or off, which is a convenient and excellent addition to any RV.

Consider the Material

When it comes to the vent covers, you can choose from metal lids or plastic lids. If you want durability, though, you’ll be better off with metal options as these aren’t going to crack under a hail storm, nor will you worry about the material eroding in the sun.