DIY Vent?

[Tomterrific]

Has anyone made their own vent? I don't mean duplicating the ubiquitous roof vent we all have but a large across the entire roof sort of thing. I've been using the puny vent thinking if it were huge we would be more comfortable in the summer.

Tom in Columbus, Ohio

[daveesl77]

I built mine with two 12" x 6" ducted chambers. I did not want to put a hole in a fully sealed, epdm roof. These feed from underneath the trailer to the top of the inside of the trailer. One duct is intake, one exhaust. They each contain two 6" computer fans and can recirculate air pretty quickly. They draw very little power, are already 12v and I put on PVMs on both sides to control the speed. The outflow/intake sides underneath originally had aluminum vent covers with screens, facing to the rear. I'm now building an adapter system so I can "plug in" my AC or heater if needed. Or leave them naturally open with the fin covers. Ducts are made from 1/2" duct board I had left over and match into the curve of the front. They sit behind my front cabinets.

This was shot when I was test fitting the cabinets. The ducting is now covered by removable wood veneer, as is the entire right side. On the bottom right I installed my electric control systems (120v, 12v, solar). It is also the place where we put the dog food dish/water thing. You can see the vent ducts at the top and how they drop down to floor level. They are now behind a wood facade with vents. Shelves all have removable rails.




The whole sealing thing is why I don't have a back hatch, but instead my galley slides out from under the bed frame and a full cover seals off the opening.
This was when we were test fitting the galley


This is it set up before our trip to NY last year


And this is what it looks like put away...




dave

[haha49]

why not get a fan-tastic fan. They seem to do well and move allot of air. They're not to loud and blow air in or out. I think simple air flow would work better side windows open small vent on top that way hot air can rise out and be replaced be cold air from the sides. Using a fan speeds that up by sucking air in through the side windows and blowing the hot air out. Now if it's hot outside your just circling hot air.

[Tomterrific]

I really don't like the idea of a powered fan in the vent. I know it is a popular add on, but personally, I think a much larger vent is a cooler idea. :-)

The homemade vent I'm thinking of would be similar to the standard vent but stretch across the roof from side to side. It could be painted wood like the rest of the trailer. Hinges on the front side and some sort on opening mechanism inside. Like the standard vent with much more area.

T