No, they are not necessary. Although most people like them.
However, you can chalk me up as one (of the few, apparently), that is perfectly happy without them, and don't have any desire for them.
Main reason I don't like them: They (vent covers) defeat one of the main purposes, that I enjoy roof vents/openings for: Letting in sunlight, and being able to see the sky through them. One of our main purposes for camping is to enjoy the outdoors, and with the vents open, unobstructed by any covers, it tends to open up the camper even more, and allow more 'natural' light in, and give the camper more of an 'open' feel that we like. Don't want to lose that, any more than I have to.
Also, putting those vent covers on, creates one more *permanent* piece of aerodynamic drag, that your engine has to overcome when going down the road. At least with a conventional vent, I can close it, and its much less aerodynamic resistance than those covers are. Granted, we're talking about a very tiny amount of drag, but nevertheless, this is one disadavntage to those things.
I've seen many people claim that these vent covers allow one to use vent fans even when raining. Ummmm...Have you ever tried running a vent fan, WITHOUT one of those vent covers on it, in the rain? I have. Hint: the air pressure from that fan, makes sure no rain gets in ANYWAY, even without one of those covers.
Also, close the (conventional) vent 3/4 of the way, and no rain will get in anyway, even when the fan is off.
I'm sure happy vent cover owners will refute my points, and may even get defensive about it. I know I'm in the minority on this issue. But, to each their own. These vents definitely have their advantages, no denying that. I just wanted to let the original poster know that these vents are not necessarily something EVERYONE wants. Like with anything else, there are some disadvantages to think about with these things.
Will & Angela
2 wonderful children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
(wanna see? Here is a picture of it )
I agree with willald. If they were great they would come standard on all models. I like the view and with them open 3/4 and the awning windows open I get good circulation when it's raining. You can also leave they open about an inch when towing.
2005 Xterra off road 4X4, 2007 26' Aluma-Lite, WD w/ friction sway, Prodigy, Yamaha EF2400, 400w inverter, front carrier w/ rod holders, Dish Network
lat471 wrote: Depends on your camping style. If you use full hookups like we do when it's hot we use air or the cieling fan. In the bathroom if it's raining I open the window under the awning. I have a fantastic fan in the kitchen with a rain sensor. If it's open and it starts raining it closes itself. You don't want to be dragging down the highway sucking in dust with them open either. Had them on 5 previous rvs now happier without.
Not everybody has a bathroom window under the awning. When showering, we like to run the vent fan to take the humidity out of the MH even if the A/C is running. Rain is specifically what prompted me to get the vent cover for the bathroom. Similarly for the kitchen. When raining, I still want to get the cooking odors up and out of the MH. Vent cover needed. The toilet room came with one from the manufacturer. This is the one that is never closed so that when in storage, the MH can still breathe.
How do you suck in dust when going down the highway? You realize that the openings are supposed to face the rear of the MH? Don't yours?
Many vent covers create a low pressure at the rear of the cover and thus cause dust to be sucked into the RV. Just check this by having someone light a match while driving and you might be surprised by the result. We did this experiment and the smoke came into the RV.
I just removed my black model 900 Maxxair vent cover and replaced it with the translucent white one over the bathroom. It lets a little more natural light in. The black one is on E-bay if anyone is in need:
I found out the hard way how much hail can come in a 14"x14" hole in the roof. Lucky for me the bed was under the hole to catch the hail and water that came in. Plus the added entertainment of trying to cover the damaged vent in a wind/rain/hail storm.
After the storm moved away I repaired the damaged vent and added vent covers to all three vents. That happened three TT ago and I quickly added vent covers as soon as the replacement TT's came home.
Bob
2001 2500 Silverado LS 4x4 6.0, 4.10
2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS
Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2
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End of dirt road, no signs in sight, sun going down: I am not lost, just getting ready to go camping.
My rig has 3 vents. The two bathroom vents (Main and half) are covered, the Fantastic Fan is not covered, FF says don't do it, and I'm respecting them on that
When the FF fails I may replace it with a Maxx Air which is kind of "Self Covered"
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Don't yours?
Plus the added entertainment of trying to cover the damaged vent in a wind/rain/hail storm.
