by Engineer Guy » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:32 am
The Vent 'trick' on my 2 TTTs is for the PVC Vent Pipe to be very rigid mechanically; held in place well [with Clamps, etc.]. Then, the Roof has 'nothing' to with the function of Pipe support; it's just something the Pipe passes through.
When re-sealing my Roof, I noted that the seal around the Vent Pipe ['Stack'] is simply sealed well; no magic to it. The usual friction-fit Cap placed on top [often held on with a Sheet Metal-type Screw] is larger-enough diameter that it prevents Water coming straight down from getting near the Vent Pipe. This is also one reason the Vent Pipe terminates above the Roof by only 2" or so. The closer the top Cap sits to the Roof within reason, the better job it does of shielding the through-Roof penetration. I've also seen TTs with no Cap; just the blunt cut PVC Pipe.
A TTT Pal has a lil top Vent Propeller I bought him, and likes it. I haven't gotten around to installing mine yet.
From living in a Trailer during House Construction, I can testify that smell outside can be an issue. In my Mind, this is one reason to extend the Vent Pipe through the Roof vs. the side; to get improved draw from higher pressure differential. The claim of the lil Vent Propellers is help exhaust smells away from the Trailer in a breeze, or during Travel.
The same good clamping advised above prevents the PVC Vent Pipe from sliding down into the Black Water Tank. A good bead of RTV Silicon Sealant, or the Sealant advised by the Tank Manufacturer, will do the trick at the Tank top of sealing the Vent Pipe connection.
~Reality proceeds with or without your consensus~