I want to put a Maxxair low profile fan in the back of my 2022 MR 130. Try as I might I have not been able to find fan dimensions, and I have downloaded the installation instructions. Some sources say 14 x 14 cutout, others 14.25 x 14.25. Some say "it can accommodate some roof curvature" but again no specs. I know this is a common install, but I haven't found good step-by-step pix of the install. I want to be sure before I cut. Could anyone with actual experience comment?
![Image]()
NH_woodser
Maxxair low profile fan install.
I want to put a Maxxair low profile fan in the back of my 2022 MR 130. Try as I might I have not been able to find fan dimensions, and I have downloaded the installation instructions. Some sources say 14 x 14 cutout, others 14.25 x 14.25. Some say "it can accommodate some roof curvature" but again no specs. I know this is a common install, but I haven't found good step-by-step pix of the install. I want to be sure before I cut. Could anyone with actual experience comment?
![Image]()
I didn't know Maxxfan had a low profile vent. I see they list it as part number 4401M (smoke lid) and 4403M (white lid). I downloaded the installation instructions and there they call those two part numbers "Maxxfan Mini."
I have not installed a Maxxfan, but have installed a number of Fantastic and Heng's etc. 14 x 14 roof vents over the years.
They mention a "standard 14" x 14" opening." I would take that as "nominal." It's probably closer to 14.25" x 14.25" as I think most of them are. But with anything like that, I wait until I have the item to cut. That said, it sounds like it's the same as all other roof vents and would probably accept something like the DIY van leveling ring.
I would put zero stock in their "can accomodate some roof curvature" language. That will result in either the vent flattening your roof, or your roof (but probably not the Transit roof!) bending the fan frame. I would use or make something like the DIY van leveling ring. Also note that the plastic flanges are weakish and so it's possible to have "dips and humps" in between the screws (on my Fantastic I used aluminum bar stock on top of the flange to reinforce it. No leveling ring but I was installing on a flat/hard roof).
The instructions are a bit sparse, I'll grant you. BTW, the same sparse instructions also include the Maxxfan Plus models.
BTW, I bought a Fantastic low-profile vent some years ago and on that one the difference is simply that it sits lower in the roof "frame." In other words, more of the vent is inside the RV and less of it is up on the roof. That's exactly what I wanted as I had plenty of space below the roof skin and didn't like how the normal ones sat up so high. I would think that's what this Maxxfan does (since mini obviously doesn't mean outside dimensions) but they aren't exactly forthcoming about it, are they.
I have not installed a Maxxfan, but have installed a number of Fantastic and Heng's etc. 14 x 14 roof vents over the years.
They mention a "standard 14" x 14" opening." I would take that as "nominal." It's probably closer to 14.25" x 14.25" as I think most of them are. But with anything like that, I wait until I have the item to cut. That said, it sounds like it's the same as all other roof vents and would probably accept something like the DIY van leveling ring.
I would put zero stock in their "can accomodate some roof curvature" language. That will result in either the vent flattening your roof, or your roof (but probably not the Transit roof!) bending the fan frame. I would use or make something like the DIY van leveling ring. Also note that the plastic flanges are weakish and so it's possible to have "dips and humps" in between the screws (on my Fantastic I used aluminum bar stock on top of the flange to reinforce it. No leveling ring but I was installing on a flat/hard roof).
The instructions are a bit sparse, I'll grant you. BTW, the same sparse instructions also include the Maxxfan Plus models.
BTW, I bought a Fantastic low-profile vent some years ago and on that one the difference is simply that it sits lower in the roof "frame." In other words, more of the vent is inside the RV and less of it is up on the roof. That's exactly what I wanted as I had plenty of space below the roof skin and didn't like how the normal ones sat up so high. I would think that's what this Maxxfan does (since mini obviously doesn't mean outside dimensions) but they aren't exactly forthcoming about it, are they.
Welcome, here is a start.
Ford Transit High & Mid Roof Vent Adapter for 14" x 14" Opening
diyvan.com
Ford Transit High & Mid Roof Vent Adapter for 14" x 14" Opening
Ford Transit Van Roof Vent Adapter for AirPlus & Maxxair Fans - DIYvan
Install your van's roof vent with ease! Our patent pending roof vent adapters simplifies vent installations for AirPlus, Maxxair & Fan-Tastic fans.
diyvan.com
May be this information would be useful:
Roof Vent | Orton Travel Transit (ortontransit.info)
I did not use an adapter but did add spacers to the driver and passenger side of the opening. I was told by an RV shop that the plastic flange will break. I added 1/8" x 1" flats under the bolt heads to distribute the load. I have had two conversions for 5 years each with the flats and have not had the flange break.
Roof Vent | Orton Travel Transit (ortontransit.info)
I did not use an adapter but did add spacers to the driver and passenger side of the opening. I was told by an RV shop that the plastic flange will break. I added 1/8" x 1" flats under the bolt heads to distribute the load. I have had two conversions for 5 years each with the flats and have not had the flange break.
We stock the Maxxair low profile vent and also make adapters for it. The cutout is 14x14 but the flange is slightly larger than the Maxxair deluxe. The thickness of the adpater at the center of the roof is about 3/16" Please reach out to Kim for assistance.
All the best,
Hein
DIYvan
All the best,
Hein
DIYvan
Make sure you understand that using the low profile fan takes away some headroom... Since the fan thickness is not going on top of the roof, it will be going under the roof.
The head room inside the van is the same as for the Maxxair Deluxe. Maxxair Deluxe and Low Profile have the same garnish ring. The Low Profile vent is 2 1/8" lower above the roof when closed than the Maxxair deluxe. 2.85" vs 5".
All the best,
Hein
DIYvan
All the best,
Hein
DIYvan
I based my install process on this video (
) and had no issues. I did use Hein’s adapter ring and the suggestions that came with the ring in terms of adhesives, etc. there are pictures of my install (the deluxe, not the low profile) in post 15 of my build thread in my signature below.
Happy to answer any specific questions you might have, but that video is the best I’ve seen at a start to finish description of the process.
—dave
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Happy to answer any specific questions you might have, but that video is the best I’ve seen at a start to finish description of the process.
—dave
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I have recently installed a Maxxfan deluxe on a high roof extended Ford Transit 250 cargo van. The adapter I used took out the curvature issue. Just do a search for "Ford Transit High & Mid Roof Vent Adapter for 14" x 14" Opening" on Ebay. It's about $90, but saves a lot of hassle. Very easy to install, but follow the directions on the adhesives and dicor etc. to make sure that the vent is sealed. I remember that I had to let the adapter sit glued onto the roof overnight.
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
