Fantastic Fan Vent
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4669
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 7:05am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Fantastic Fan Vent
Posted By: cody91
Subject: Fantastic Fan Vent
Date Posted: 01 May 2014 at 10:45pm
| For those of you who store their Rpods at home, do you find yourself leaving the FF vent cover open or closed during the summer? |
Replies:
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 01 May 2014 at 11:09pm
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I leave mine open a crack all year round. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 7:04am
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Same here, we leave it cracked open year round. At orientation they told us that would help avoid condensation and mildew. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 7:06am
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Also just a tidbit, there is a small pressure switch at the top of your fan, after a while it will startsticking which willshut your fan down. If you keep that greased, it will help avoid that problem. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 7:48am
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I installed an Ultrabreeze cover and pretty much leave the vent wide open unless we're camping in the cold. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/fan-tastic-ultrabreeze-vent-cover-smoke/58896 - http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/fan-tastic-ultrabreeze-vent-cover-smoke/58896 Easy install, but it is a close fit with 178 TV antenna. fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 10:20am
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I leave one window cracked open, and the vent cracked open, all the time. However, I've noticed that the wind will eventually vibrate the vent to an almost-closed position. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 10:37am
Do you leave it cracked open with the AC or Furnace running?
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 1:03pm
Absolutely! I have way more experience with the furnace or other heat than with AC, and the AC may help deal with humidity on it's own, so keeping the vent open with AC may not be needed. With heat, it is essential or you'll end up with water running down your windows and walls. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 4:36pm
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Always cracked open with the heater. Each human exhales and sweats out cups of water each night, multiplied by each person, so you must have some air exchange even if it is 10 F outside (which I've done that several times in our pod). Even with the A/C since it doesn't run long enough to dehumidify properly. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 6:12pm
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We leave ours open, if it rains, it closes.
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 6:15pm
I wish someone would come up with a sun-roof in cars that does that! At least an alarm. I finally learned to always check after the third time sitting in a wet seat! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 6:43pm
Slow learner, Fred? 
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 6:53pm
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Worse than that Charlie. When I was smoking...in the car...in January...after a snowstorm...Yep, I opened the sunroof. Fortunately, they found me! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 7:41pm
ahhh, i guess i can test my rain sensor! hadn't thought of that ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 8:39pm
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With the Vibe the fan is in the center of the bath near the bed if we make a mistake and leave it open and it rains it would be a problem. With the r-pod it was not much of a problem with the wet bath. So now I am thinking about a Fantastic vent fan cover but I was wandering if it would much of a drag with air flow when traveling. The cover is about 11" high perhaps it would not be that much to be concerned about being it is not that wide. Does anyone know how much they affect the wind flow? ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 9:10pm
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Hi David and/or Danette, I really like our Fantastic Ultra breeze cover. The only reason I close the vent at all is if there is too much of a cool breeze coming in. It seems to scoop a lot of air moving over the pod from the rear. That's a plus, I think. As far as drag goes, I think that is negligible. I can't measure it or notice it. I'm stuck @ 13.5 mpg with or without it. The only hassle I had installing on 178 rPod was peeling away a bunch of the excessive lap sealant and putting a little chafing guard between TV antenna and Ultrabreeze cover. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 9:41pm
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At a little over a square foot of frontal area I agree it will have a minimal effect. The original vent cover is about ~0.3 square foot so you are only increasing the area by ~0.7. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: West Virginia Girls
Date Posted: 14 May 2014 at 5:28pm
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RV Dealer advises MaxAir won't work on our Fantastic Fan. We want to get a cover, but wonder which one will fit. There is such a small space due to the antenna. We have a 2013 177. Any idea if the Ultrabreeze will work for us? ------------- Billie & Debbie Furry friends: Jake & Mollie 2013 RPOD 177 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 14 May 2014 at 6:15pm
Was your dealer not able to advise if another option would work? ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: West Virginia Girls
Date Posted: 14 May 2014 at 6:26pm
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They're checking on some other brands, etc. to see if something will work. Just thought someone here might have had the same problem. Honestly, it seems there is just not enough room to install it. We've got our fingers crossed. There was some discussion on the FB forum also. We'll keep you posted! Thanks! ------------- Billie & Debbie Furry friends: Jake & Mollie 2013 RPOD 177 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 May 2014 at 10:47am
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If the antenna is in the way, the dealer should be able to move it. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 16 May 2014 at 7:26pm
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Hi WVGs, My Fantastic Vent Ultra Breeze cover was pretty (too) close to the TV Antenna. It was just touching the cover, so I siliconed a piece of grommet material (anti-chafing) just so the metal wasn't rubbing on plastic. A rub-rail. Seems fine after 600 miles or so.   ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: West Virginia Girls
Date Posted: 16 May 2014 at 7:56pm
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That's exactly the problem we have--just so close to antenna! Will show the dealer the photos & see what happens. Hate to move anything--more roof holes you know. Anyway, we appreciate your advice & the pictures! Thanks again! ------------- Billie & Debbie Furry friends: Jake & Mollie 2013 RPOD 177 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 16 May 2014 at 8:47pm
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Let us know if that works out for you too Billie! ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: West Virginia Girls
Date Posted: 19 May 2014 at 10:42pm
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Thanks everyone......picked up our POD today at the dealer and they got the MaxAir II vent cover installed perfectly. He said there's not much room, but it did fit! Yippee! Also go the friction sway control added too. Froggie Pod is ready to roll!!!!! ------------- Billie & Debbie Furry friends: Jake & Mollie 2013 RPOD 177 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD |
Posted By: CyberShanks
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2014 at 5:36pm
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So, curious, does "All" of the Fantastic Fans have the moisture sensor? I don't see anything on it that says that it will auto-close?? Thanks, Jim |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2014 at 6:03pm
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There are different models of the Fantastic Fan, some have rain sensors, some don't. Of course to have the rain sensor it also requires the motor to open and close it... As for the antenna- it does not require new holes in the roof if you are ok with it being angled some. There are two cross bolts in the base that can be removed, rotate the antenna until it clears whatever then drill new holes in the base and remount. This is of course assuming turning it will allow it to clear whatever. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |