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The powered vents that most of us have in our RVs are wonderful things. They create a breeze to keep us cool. They exhaust humidity and cooking odors. They’re the best tool you’ve got to keep your rig comfortable without plugging in, running a generator, or otherwise using 120 volt power to kick on your air conditioner. They can run a long time on just 12 volt power.
But what do you do with them when you’re NOT using them? Now there’s a solution. Have a look!
Yes, most vents have plastic covers of some sort on the outside. But these usually let in quite a bit of light, even when they’re closed. In the summer, that also means letting in quite a bit of heat! The covers are also typically thin, so in the winter, they let quite a bit of heat out as well. There are a number of products you could try to deal with the winter problem. But these solutions typically look like exactly what they are: weird pillows shoved up into your fan. They might sometimes work… if they stay up there. But even if they did work, they would be something you had to store when you wanted the vent open, and they don’t look quite “finished”.
We took a different approach. For years, we’ve been using something we got from Advanced-RV. It snaps into place (so it doesn’t fall out), and it’s insulated, so it helps with winter heat loss. It also didn’t look too bad. But it was still something to store, and it didn’t do much for us during the summer months when we left it at home.
Now, we have this option from the same people who make our fan: MaxxAir. The MaxxShade Plus is an easily installable shade that covers the inside of the vent opening. It’s also reflective on the upper side – which means it will do an EXCELLENT job of keeping summer heat out of our rig. And the “Plus” model has LED lights built into it (perhaps to replace the daylight you’re losing when you cover up the vent). There is also a MaxxShade model (without the “plus”) if you don’t care for the light.
I’ve just installed the MaxxShade Plus, as you see in the video. Initial impressions (good and bad) are:
- I like the finished look of the piece. It doesn’t look like I’ve just shoved something up there to cover the vent opening.
- The reflectorized back of the shade is just brilliant. Thank you, MaxxAir.
- I wish they had shipped the adapter ring and the shade itself “un-assembled”. It’s not obvious how you take the two apart and someone will likely break one before they even get it installed.
- I am slightly concerned about the press-fit of the shade unit into the adapter ring. I wonder if it will stay connected, or if road vibrations will cause it to fall. I would have rather seen some sort of “press, slide, and click” like a battery door cover.
- Summer performance will be fantastic. Winter performance I’m not certain of – although it should be easy enough to add additional insulation above the shade.
- The LED lights are a nice feature, even if they’re not super-flattering on my bald head.
So there you have it. As we get a little more time with it, we should have additional impressions and observations, so come back and check the comments if you think this is something you might want!
Hello! Thank you for your useful video!
It’s the only one I’ve found that mentions how awkward it is to disconnect the clips the Maxxshade is mounted on. My problem is that I have to remove the shade (to replace a broken motherboard of the Maxxfan) and I have no clue how can I release these clips. Could you please help me to figure that out? How have you done that? thank you sooo much for your help!
I only released the clips the one time you saw in the video – not while it was mounted on the ceiling. I have no idea how to best help you.
Pull gently? Try to get a prying implement inside the clips to release them one at a time?
(We don’t have that RV anymore, so I don’t have a shade to look at now.)
I would have to agree with you that the press-fit of the shade unit into the adapter ring is a little suspect. It just wouldn’t stay in place for me. I ended up pulling 4 of the metal clips off one off each side in the center. Ended up getting a small self tapping screw which I ran through the shade cover tab into the adapter ring. Did this righ through the tabs the fit together in place of the metal tabs. Held it much more firm and definitely won’t be coming off now and still serviceable!!
As always, good objective review. Invaluable. Headed to Camping World to get one. Thanks James.
Great video – I’m glad I’m not the only one who drops screws/pliers etc while I’m fitting stuff 🙂 I think I actually prefer your previous solution with the press studs/snaps; top-tip, thank you!
Usually, I wind up cutting myself on something as well.
We have a saying around here… It’s not a project until you bleed!
Thanks for the video – I really enjoyed it!
Have you tried this vent cover? http://www.vanmadegear.com/product/roof-vent-fan-insulated-cover/
It looks elegant and easy to install. I’d love to hear your take on it.
Haven’t seen or tried one, but the idea is solid.
It works along the same lines as the Advanced-RV shade we were using. Except that with this one, you can fold down just a single section.
From the information provided, I can’t tell how the magnets attach to the trim ring though. That could make or break the install.
How far does the cover hang down from the ceiling? Our bathroom door opens right there and, while there’s some clearance, there’s not a lot. Thanks.
It hangs down at least a couple of inches. If your door is within an inch or so of the ceiling below the ceiling fan, I wouldn’t try it.
The shade looks great. I’m a bit less enthused about the Maxxair fans for winter in general, and the Fantastic fans too. They’re quite poorly insulated, or rather not at all. I’d rather have some dual-glaze Heki skylights, and you can always add a fan to one of those.
However, those splicing connectors are straight up horrible. You should probably let those be the last ones you ever use, and hit up https://www.posi-products.com/ and buy some Posi-taps in various sizes, just to have in the shop. The other Posi-connectors are also outstanding, much better than butt connectors and other stuff you crimp on. The Posi-lock is great for straight connections, and they even have watertight versions. Next best thing to soldering wires.
Instead of a blade, the Posi-taps work by pushing a sharp pin through the wire. The damage to the wire is minimal, and if you want to remove the tap you just unscrew them and you’re good to go. The connection is super solid too.
I’ll have to have a look at the posi-tap connectors.
I’ve gotten to be a near-professional at crimping (and I almost used crimp-on connectors instead of the ones provided, but I wanted to keep it to just the two (or 3) tools).
But it never hurts to check out something new!
Got a question.
In the summer daytime, if the shade is closed, how does the vent work as a vent?
We don’t have (or want) A/C, so the vent fan (also a MaxxAir) is the main path to push hot air out.
If the shade blocks the vent, then you need to keep it open during the day, and it won’t need to be reflective. At night in the summer, we usually have the vent open and fan running , which means the shade isn’t used for insulation.
So, at least by the look of the shade in the video, I don’t see where it would have utility except in colder weather, when the vent lid is also closed. I wonder what R-value the shade reflective surface adds then.
Probably should have mentioned that. The vent is not meant to be used with the shade closed.
If you run with your vent open most of the time, then this product probably wouldn’t be as useful.
In the winter – ideally – you would want the reflective surface facing inward. You’d likely also want some insulation above it as you probably use now.
Like your video. Regarding using the fan with the shade closed, I watched a video by a British RV’r who ran the fan (looked like a low setting) with the shade closed, but he didn’t explain how. I noticed that there appears to be ventilation holes on two sides of the shade housing. Is that what they are and would that allow the fan to run on a low setting?
Never looked at doing this, because it doesn’t seem like something I’ll ever do.
If I want to run the fan to exhaust or blow in air… I usually want lots of air.
James, that looks just like me on one of my projects – dropped screws, dropped tools, tool just out of reach…with the required head spin and ARRGHH except it usually doesn’t sound like arrghh! Another great video thanks.
On a side note, my wife and I met Dean from LTV at the Portland Ore. RV show last month and also looked at their RTB Wonder that you and Stef also reviewed.
just what we were looking for, we own two e bikes, and the storage is just perfect. and we love the quality of LTV. hope to see you on the road,
and whats “jenky” again?
How fantastic that you bought in on an LTV rig. They make great stuff and Dean is a hoot!
Janky… It’s a thing!! https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/janky
Dean is a hoot, and janky is now part of my vernacular.
Some of my favorite James’ verbiage from this video, “Ha!” “Jenky.” “5’2.” And “Oops.” 🙂 We got this cover, sans light, at GNR this past summer. Do love that we don’t have to store anything. But did have to re-glue one end cap of the roller rod when I discovered the spring tension stopped working. Functioning well ever since. Now when might you get back to the shop videos? 😉
I’ll have another shop video up today, Noel!
The shade looks thin, wondering how it will hold up?
We currently use a foam pad insert and plastic panel that helps with noise reduction. Wondering if the noise control will be sufficient?
While the shade material is thin, it should hold up as it won’t be subjected to much stress. That’s the assumption I’m working with anyways…
As to noise control, we haven’t had the opportunity to test it out in that way yet.
If you were using one of those pillow-like devices stuffed into the fan opening, I’d say that the noise control from this will probably be somewhat less. Unverified – that’s just a hunch.
There will be a substantial air space up there…
Ordered one from etrailer . I didn’t see a link on here. Thanks for posting this.
We enjoy watching your vids
Typically, I would have put a link to Amazon in the post if I can find the product.
This time however, I couldn’t find it on Amazon.
It is a pretty new product, and it looks like eTrailer is the first to get their act together with it.
Glad you ordered one!