Maintenance & Restoration

Sitah · 08-17-2022, 07:14 AM

Greetings,

Inquiry #1: The '98 Casita Freedom Deluxe I purchased has a standard hand-crank vent (no fan) in the roof. The ac unit is in the front/door-side. I would like to replace the vent in there with a Maxxfan vent; however, the new vent with exhaust fan requires at least a 1 1/8" thickness. From what I observe, I don't think the roof (fiberglass & interior shag) is that thick. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm thinking of making a custom, wood garnish an inch thick to go on the inside to allow for installation, but I wanted to know if there was some other suggestions. Thanks!

Chris

JoelInTexas · 08-19-2022, 04:52 PM

They don't use any garnish or other interior spacers on the factory-installed fans - It's a flush fit.

John in Santa Cruz · 08-19-2022, 10:26 PM

My Escape has a maxxfan deluxe, with the fancy powered hood and 10 speeds, and the trailer roof is not more than about 1/4" thick including the interior soft head lining.

there might be a 'flange' on the outside top around the hole, but its dark out there, so I'm not going to get a ladder out and look right now.

Gerry · 08-20-2022, 03:54 AM

on my Casita I built up the outside 1 and half inches, using 2-3/4 inch composit thick boards, cut about 1 and half inch wide, stacked on top of each other, using beautle tape, I screwed these from the inside to raise the fan up above the roof and just used the frame of the Maxfan as finish on inside. Everything has been water tight for 4 years now.

Sitah · 08-20-2022, 07:32 AM

Thanks Gerry. I am removing the old vent today. I bought a 3/4" thick vinyl board to build a spacer for the top. Once I get the old vent off, I'll know whether or not to add more. The next thing is to figure out how to fish a wire to it under that carpet/insulation. Thanks again!

alan H · 08-20-2022, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitah

Thanks Gerry. I am removing the old vent today. I bought a 3/4" thick vinyl board to build a spacer for the top. Once I get the old vent off, I'll know whether or not to add more. The next thing is to figure out how to fish a wire to it under that carpet/insulation. Thanks again!

Following this as I need to fish a wire to my vent as well
My patriot came with only a vent ( no fan)

Dave Fish · 08-20-2022, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

My Escape has a maxxfan deluxe, with the fancy powered hood and 10 speeds, and the trailer roof is not more than about 1/4" thick including the interior soft head lining.

there might be a 'flange' on the outside top around the hole, but its dark out there, so I'm not going to get a ladder out and look right now.

They make a Maxfan with a shorter profile. When ours got cr I need by a tree, the shop was able to find it.

That said, I can't guarantee that it was Maxfan brand, but it was whatever Casita was using in 2009.

Gerry · 08-20-2022, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitah

Thanks Gerry. I am removing the old vent today. I bought a 3/4" thick vinyl board to build a spacer for the top. Once I get the old vent off, I'll know whether or not to add more. The next thing is to figure out how to fish a wire to it under that carpet/insulation. Thanks again!

I ran the wire to the back cupboard in my Casita and the way I did it was first to run a coat hanger between the rug and fiberglass from the vent opening to t he cabinet, to create a tunnel, I then attached the wire, with electrical tape to then end of coat hanger and pulled it though, back to the vent hole. Simple as that!

JoelInTexas · 08-21-2022, 01:20 PM

Fortunately, the fan never draws more than couple amps of current - which means that you don't need to use thick-gauge wire to power it.

Source for 18 gauge zip cord - Thin, and flexible

John in Santa Cruz · 08-21-2022, 03:42 PM

in the mid 2000s, Casita was using Fantastic Fan.

re: the Maxxfan Deluxe on my escape... ahh it does look like they molded a bit of thickness in where the fan mounts.

Sitah · 08-22-2022, 08:07 PM

After drilling out 20+ rivets and scraping at least a pound of silicone, I was able to remove the old vent. Wow, what a pain! After some poking, thinking and more poking, I was able to snake wires to 12v dc wires in the rear of the trailer, which was a relief. I think the 3/4" spacer I will use will be enough to allow the interior garnish to work. I will most likely finish that part tomorrow. More to come.

Thanks to all who have commented. It has truly helped me focus.

steelypip · 08-24-2022, 12:28 PM

If you buy the short Maxxfan deluxe it fits in a Casita roof without spacers. The one modification from default installation required is to screw horizontally from the fan housing into the trim surround to hold the trim on.

I remember drilling out lots of rivets and then removing lots of caulk. My installation only used butyl tape and a dot of silicone caulk under each screw head...

Sitah · 08-24-2022, 01:10 PM

Well, I managed to finish installing the fan yesterday. Honestly, it's not easy on the eyes when standing on my step ladder, but looks okay from the ground.

It's solid and works great, so I'm happy with it. I appreciate the comments and suggestions. I think I could have installed it with no spacer; however, there would have been little to nothing to secure the inside garnish to. I am enjoying the circulating air while tearing the carpet out.