Replacement roof vent

[Cam A]

I am so smart, SMRT ! (Homer Simpson's song) I was clearing the snow from the roof of my Surfside, (a good thing, right?) and it was a little crusty, so I was using the side of my broom, and swinging it a little to get it into the snow, when I heard this terrible little crunching noise....oh yeah, the roof vent. Which now has a broom-sized hole in it. Ah, too soon old, too late smrt....
Anyways, I have to fix it before the water gets liquid around here (rain) which luckily won't be for a while. The vent cover measures 14 1/4 inches square, outside dimensions. I still can't get at it too well, so I don't have any manufacturers name.
So here's my question. Can I get a replacement cover, or do I have to replace the whole vent? If so, any Canadian internet sources? Anyone in Winnipeg stock them? (This is pretty specific, I know; but after the antenna question I saw answered here, anything is possible).
Thanks
Cam

[Pete Dumbleton]

I broke a vent cover in Canada once (moved my Jayco 16' back into shade after setting up and open vent hit tree limb). I was able to find a standard vent cover at an RV place on the shelf.

[Cam A]

I have been unable to find the vent cover I need. My existing cover has the aluminum hinge piece to plastic vent spacing of 1/4 inch, and all of the replacements I have tried (several) are all 1/8 inch (see photo;new cover on top). You can tell by the rivet spacing that they are different, even though the plastic is the same. Without the extra height, the cover will not clear the rim when it closes. Is anyone aware of where I can get a vent cover with the required clearance? Other than replacing the entire vent assembly, I was considering drilling the aluminum hinge off the old cover and installing it on the new cover. Any thoughts?

[Pete Dumbleton]

I was considering drilling the aluminum hinge off the old cover and installing it on the new cover.

I would do exactly that. Nobody will see it when you get done, and what if they did?

[Joe MacDonald]

That's what I did for my Trillium and it worked great until I got my fantastic fan.
Joe

[Al Nelson]

You can get replacement covers from Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart or any of the local RV dealers, Walt's, Calassic, etc. Take the old cover as a sample if you can. If you can't get an exact same type cover, you can always remove the hinge from the old one and re-attach it to a new cover.
With the recent warmer weather, I also got the roofs of my Boler and van cleaned off. I was careful to leave the vents alone but I did knock off a holding tank vent cover. Camping season is just around the corner.
Al

[Cam A]

I'm waterproof once again 8-) Drilling out the old steel rivets was fun, but everything worked like the plan (doesn't happen that often with me). Now that I've had a good look at my roof vent (old, brittle plastic with many ropes of silicon), I think a Fan-tastic may be in the works. The parts lady at the RV place said that "all" trailers were pre-wired, and that the Fan-tastic would be a bolt-in. However, I never trust parts-persons who have french manicures. Has anyone fished wires for a vent fan under ensolite?

[Donna D.]

The parts lady at the RV place said that "all" trailers were pre-wired, and that the Fan-tastic would be a bolt-in. However, I never trust parts-persons who have french manicures. Has anyone fished wires for a vent fan under ensolite?

Bet she said that (pre-wired) because she's coming from a "stickie" background and since they don't last years and years.... she thinks anything that's still around is new enough... it's probably true.

Doncha just hate it when people Generalize????

[Alf S.]

I'm waterproof once again 8-) Drilling out the old steel rivets was fun, but everything worked like the plan (doesn't happen that often with me). Now that I've had a good look at my roof vent (old, brittle plastic with many ropes of silicon), I think a Fan-tastic may be in the works. The parts lady at the RV place said that "all" trailers were pre-wired, and that the Fan-tastic would be a bolt-in. However, I never trust parts-persons who have french manicures. Has anyone fished wires for a vent fan under ensolite?

Hi: Cam... Send me a personal msg. with your email add. and I will send you an invite to view my trailer pic's including my install of the MaxxFan. I worked on a bright sunny hot day so the Ensolite glue was plyable and I was able to fish the wires in the roof under the Ensolite to the 12v. light. I used spray adhesive to re stick it!!! I decided on the MaxxFan due to its slim lines and integral rain hood...but some assembly is still required.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[brendadave]

The parts lady at the RV place said that "all" trailers were pre-wired, and that the Fan-tastic would be a bolt-in.

I can tell you for a fact that in our 1976 Trillium there is no wire of any kind to the roof vent. When the day comes (soon???) I will be fishing wire under the ensolite.

Good luck!

[Alf S.]

I'm waterproof once again 8-) Drilling out the old steel rivets was fun, but everything worked like the plan (doesn't happen that often with me). Now that I've had a good look at my roof vent (old, brittle plastic with many ropes of silicon), I think a Fan-tastic may be in the works. The parts lady at the RV place said that "all" trailers were pre-wired, and that the Fan-tastic would be a bolt-in. However, I never trust parts-persons who have french manicures. Has anyone fished wires for a vent fan under ensolite?

Hi: Hope you can access my "how dids" an they help you somewhat. Regards
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie