Fan Longevity 24-7?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12118
Printed Date: 26 Jun 2025 at 7:03am
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Topic: Fan Longevity 24-7?
Posted By: 4Papa
Subject: Fan Longevity 24-7?
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 7:36am
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Any idea on the quality of the rooftop fan bearings used in mid-2017 180? On hot days, whether camping or at home, I prefer to run the fan 24-7 to keep the interior cooler. Without the fan I’ve seen interior temps of over 100-degrees, not good for the sensitive electronics found throughout. OTOH, I also don’t want to prematurely burn out the fan or destroy the bearings. I also have a dealer installed Samlex solar panel installed that keeps the batteries happy and at full charge even with the fan running 24-7. So, battery drain isn’t an issue. Thoughts and thanks. ------------- 2017 180 2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid |
Replies:
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 7:42am
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I hear you and had the same concerns. I bought two small USB fans fairly cheap on Amazon. Those will be easier to replace! I hang them on Command strips for general air movement and by the bed for warm evenings. If on Shore-power. I have a 110v fan (again cheap on Amazon). ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 8:09am
| Not sure about the stock fan, but I know that you can get replacement parts pretty easily for the Fantastic Fan. I installed a Fantastic Fan (the one that can go reverse or intake) in an earlier non-RPod trailer and it seemed pretty bulletproof to me. |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 8:19am
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I don't know how long it will last but, I can tell you this much. My vent fan is on, all day from late june, thru september, for the last 2 summers. I run it on occasion in spring and fall. So far, no issue ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: BVK
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 8:32am
I've been following many rv-blogs / youtube channels for several years, and the Fantastic Fans get heaped with praise. I can't recall a single negative comment on them. When it comes time to replace our stock vent fan, I'll be picking one up, despite having no personal experience with them.
------------- 2012 RP-171 HRE, 2006 F-150 
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Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 9:08am
Agreed - they're a great product.
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Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 9:38am
I also have both 12v and 120v fans, but only for days I'm actually camping. I use a 12v pedestal fan on the bathroom counter directed at the stock ceiling fan just outside the door as well as a 12v circulating, clip-on fan for general interior air movement. I use the 120v stationary fan either indoors or outside plugged into the AC receptacle behind the wheel well. For general 24-7, unoccupied cooling, the stock ceiling fan works well for drawing super-heated air out of the interior. I assist the flow by cracking the over-bed windows. From the comments received, thus far, sounds like I'll just keep on keeping on until the stock fan dies. Then replace with the Fantastic Fan. ------------- 2017 180 2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 2:06pm
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We have used our fantastic fan quite a bit since we purchased our 177 back in January 2011. Still runs great in spite of the fact that I have never added oil/grease to the bearings. And still runs quiet.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Lear111
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 4:01pm
| The 180 fan motor in a 2017 is p/n 10-20968. Maxxair has a warranty of 2 years from time of purchase. Mine started squeak and I called the company no questions asked sent me a replacement. |
Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2018 at 4:47pm
Not sure when you bought your 180 but if it's squealing already, not a ringing endorsement for longevity. However, you're the first in this thread who's reported a failure. Could be the others had failures which is why the move to Fantastic Fans. ------------- 2017 180 2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2018 at 10:28am
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Our early 2017 (or late 2016) RP-179 has the fantastic fan. I believe FR switched to the Maxxair sometime in 2017. Are you saying they went back to the fantastic fan?
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2018 at 3:42pm
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Confirmed that my mid-2017 180 has the MaxxAir fan. ------------- 2017 180 2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid |