Vent insert/plug question June 09, 2003, 08:35:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23128I ordered a couple of the inserts/plugs for the roof vents from Camping World (item # 8675), thinking that they might be useful in both the summer and the winter. When I pulled one out of the package today to try it and see how well it helped block the sun and heat, I realized that it obviously won't fit and stay in the vent unless I remove the handle from the vent first. I don't really want to have to unscrew the handles just to use the vent plug, and then have to screw the handle back in to open the vent. Am I missing something simple here? Is anybody else using these things or was this just a waste of money?Thanks for any suggestions,Charles.ps: In hindsight I'm wishing I had ordered the Solar Vent Shield that Larry mentioned in an earlier post.
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #1 – June 09, 2003, 08:48:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23129Hi Charles,I bought one of those vent plugs also before I got my LD and I have the same problem. The only solution I can think of is to cut a circular hole in the center with enough depth such that it accomodates the handle. I don't know what application they intended this for as all vents have these handles (except for a fantastic fan, I guess).The solar vent shield also looks like a better solution.Mike S. 2003 26.5 MBP.S. Are you happy with your Fiamma levelers? I am so far.
Re: Fiamma levelers (was: Vent insert/plug question) Reply #2 – June 09, 2003, 09:17:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23131Mike, I've only used them a couple of times, but so far I'm very pleased. The only problem I had was at one spot last week when I needed to raise one of the front tires a little higher. So I put one of my 2x8's under the Fiamma leveler, with a 3 inch ss bolt through the hole in the leveler and through the hole in the 2x8. Unfortunately the leveler slid on the wet board (it was raining) and bent the bolt. We eventually got it levelled but I need to replace the bolt with something a little larger/stronger, and probably with a washer to keep it from going through the hole in the leveler.But when I used them by themselves they worked great. Simple, easy to use, the right width, and light-weight. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a manual leveling option. They'll certainly do for us until or unless I decide to spring for hydraulic levelers at some point in the future.Charles.
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #3 – June 10, 2003, 12:13:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 23139Charles,We got one of those covers too! After deciding we didn't want to mess around with returning it we cut a small hole in it to accomodate the handle. It actually works quite well now. after putting it into place I turn the handle a little so it is forced over to one side of the plug, which helps to further hold it in place. I like the foil typs covers at night for sleeping, but the "sheepskin" covered foam is kinda nice for the daytime. It blocks out the heat, but has a soft sort of ambient glow. My .02 worth...Linda
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #4 – June 10, 2003, 09:19:12 am Yahoo Message Number: 23153"Am I missing something simple here? Is anybody else using these things or was this just a waste of money?" Shucks, Charles, you forgot to buy a Fan-Tastic fan for each plug. All you need to do is replace your vents with Fan-Tastic fans and the plugs will fit perfectly. Simple, isn't it? ;-) Seriously--I know you weren't thinking of spending an extra hundred bucks per vent when you bought these plugs! But you might want to to at least consider adding a Fan-Tastic fan or two...they really make a big difference in comfort.Andy Baird :-)
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #5 – June 10, 2003, 09:56:29 am Yahoo Message Number: 23154Andy, I didn't even think to try the plug in the vent with the Fan-Tastic fan. I just tried it in one of the regular vents and stopped when I saw it didn't fit. I'll have to go out and try it with the Fan-Tastic Fan.The only problem with replacing the other vents with Fan-Tastic Fans is that in the 26.5 MB model all three vents are close together so it probably wouldn't add very much ventilation. The Fan-Tastic Fan is in the lounge area, a vent is just a couple of feet in front of it outside the bathroom, and the third vent is in the bathroom with the standard bathroom fan.I guess I'll wind up just cutting a hole in the plugs for the other vents, but it sure seems like poor design to me. (Linda, thanks for the confirmation that cutting a hole in it worked.)Thanks for the ideas,Charles. 2003 26.5 MBps: Andy, We bought one of the Endless Breeze fans based on your earlier recommendation. I agree, it's great. We used it this past week with the A/C just to help circulate the air. It definitely helped.QuoteShucks, Charles, you forgot to buy a Fan-Tastic fan for each plug. All you Quoteneed to do is replace your vents with Fan-Tastic fans and the plugs will fit
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #6 – June 10, 2003, 11:19:25 am Yahoo Message Number: 23159QuoteI guess I'll wind up just cutting a hole in the plugs for the other vents, but it sure seems like poor design to me. (Linda, thanks for the confirmation that cutting a hole in it worked.) Charles, when you cut your hole, I recommend a 'slit' only if your vent handle is a lever. Orient the slit appropriately for the handle position with the vent closed.Also, replacing the bathroom vent with a FF is a majorly worthwhile upgrade.Steve
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #7 – June 10, 2003, 12:24:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23164Quote Also, replacing the bathroom vent with a FF is a majorly worthwhile upgrade. Hi Steve, Pardon my ignorance. I'm sure I don't have enough experience with my LD yet, but why is a FF in the bathroom such a great asset? Especially if the other one is about 4 feet away?Also, how hard is it to remove the old vent. It seem like it is "super-sealed" into the roof by LD. Is this installation something that is better done by a professional rather than do-it- yourself?thx,Mike S. 2003 26.5 MB
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #8 – June 10, 2003, 01:13:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23165QuoteLD yet, but why is a FF in the bathroom such a great asset? Especially if the other one is about 4 feet away? As the bathroom is small - compared to your house - steaming up from the shower is a significant issue. If it is hot out, it may also be uncomfortable to shower without adequate ventilation. The little vent fan is almost useless, and noisy. With a FF installed instead, and the shower window cracked open, neither situation is any longer a problem. If you rarely close the bath door for your showers, and keep the other windows closed, you could use the FF outside the bath about as effectively.Quote Also, how hard is it to remove the old vent. It seem like it is "super-sealed" into the roof by LD. Is this installation something that is better done by a professional rather than do-it- yourself? Installation is a breeze, and we have never had any leakage, but removing the old vent IS a pain, and it will be destroyed. Also, it is best to run new wires from an adjacent light fixture to handle the current required by the FF an the high speed, rather than use the small gauge ones provided for the small fan. You can easily non- destructively remove the inside vent trim and try this beforehand for feasibility.None of this was anything I would advise against as a DIY project, nor am I very trusting of the quality I might get from some other installer. It is a call you have to make yourself.Steve
Mothership Visit Reply #9 – June 10, 2003, 01:26:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23166Thanks to everyone who have answered my LD questions. I want to visit the Mothership this summer and have talked my wife into the trip by packaging it as a vacation in Southern California (with just a brief excursion to visit the LD factory!). My question is what would be the best place to stay, given that my wife wants to go to the beaches and see the tourist attractions around LA & Orange County? I was thinking Long Beach might be a fairly central location. According to Yahoo, Long Beach is about a 50 min. drive from Montclair. Given the realities of LA traffic though, I'm wondering if it isn't closer to a 2 hour drive. Would it be better to spend a night in Montclair and then begin our vacation, or is it a reasonable drive from the LA area? Any suggestion would be appreciated.Dave Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM).[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Mothership Visit Reply #10 – June 10, 2003, 01:55:03 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23169QuoteMy question is what would be the best place to stay, given that my wife wants to go to the beaches and see the tourist attractions around LA & Orange County? I was thinking Long Beach might be a fairly central location. According to Yahoo, Long Beach is about a 50 min. drive from Montclair. Given the realities of LA traffic though, I'm wondering if it isn't closer to a 2 hour drive. It is drizzling right now, and socked in in Malibu. It has been this way all week, not much better before, and likely to be typically this way into July. Late July or August is better if you want beaches. They will be crowded, though. Fall after school starts is much more pleasant. A 50 minute commute from Long Beach is about right, if you avoid peak traffic hours. Long Beach is the biggest west coast port, though, so not a haven for those who want miles of beach outside the door. Beach towns north or south of there are better for that, but if you intend to commute to the nice beaches as well as other sights, then LB is probably fine.Montclair is not really close to anything of much interest, and the haze there tends to obscure the mountain views most of the time. If you will likely only spend part of a day at the factory, I would put its location at the bottom of your priorities.Steve
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #11 – June 10, 2003, 02:35:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23171Andy, I'm disappointed. I had decided that this might be the perfect excuse to add another Fan-Tastic Fan to the rig. But I just went out and tried the plug in the vent with the Fan. It doesn't work there either. The depth of the vent below the controls is not enough to hold the plug in place, at least not without making some modifications. I did decide to e-mail the company that makes the vent plugs and see what they had to say. I'll see if I get a response. Oh well, back to the drawing board.Charles. 2003 26.5 MBQuoteShucks, Charles, you forgot to buy a Fan-Tastic fan for each plug. All you Quoteneed to do is replace your vents with Fan-Tastic fans and the plugs will fit
Re: Mothership Visit Reply #12 – June 10, 2003, 05:16:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23182Hi, Dave --I'm brand new the the LD group, but drive that area often so I may be able to help.Montclair is quite close to the Ontario airport if you plan to fly. If not, it is still good because there are plenty of hotels
Re: Mothership Visit Reply #13 – June 10, 2003, 07:15:09 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23193"Would it be better to spend a night in Montclair and then begin our vacation?" I think this is a good plan, and here's why: first, if you do it at the end of your trip you will both be tired and in the mood to head for home, so your wife will be less likely to take the Lazy Daze visit seriously. If you go first, you'll be fresh and more attentive. Second, after the visit and subsequent discussion with your wife, you two will inevitably come up with all sorts of questions and things you want to verify ("Was there really enough room in the RB shower, or would I feel claustrophobic?")...and if you visit the factory first, then there's always the possibility of stopping in again at the end of your trip to check out these questions that have arisen. But if you stop there last, then you'll end up at home with lots of questions...and wishing you could go back and take another look.Andy Baird :-)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #14 – June 11, 2003, 12:48:56 am Yahoo Message Number: 23218QuoteMike schafir wrote: - - - Also, how hard is it to remove the old vent. It seem like it is "super-sealed" into the roof by LD. Is this installation something that is better done by a professional rather than do-it- yourself? - - - Mike I watched the Camping World mechanic take out my old vent and add the Fantastic Fan in Mz. Daisy last year. The man really lost his religion. He said it was put in there and sealed to a fair-the-well. It was a way bigger job than he thought. So I¹d vote for paying someone to do the deed.Sarah Carson City, NV.[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Mothership Visit Reply #15 – June 11, 2003, 12:49:17 am Yahoo Message Number: 23219QuoteDavid Envers wrote: (snip) - - - My question is what would be the best place to stay, given that my wife wants to go to the beaches and see the tourist attractions around LA & Orange County? - - - I vote for you to stay away from Long Beach go south of LA to Newport Beach, Laguna Beach that area. It¹s all a traffic zoo, but less so than around Long Beach. Claremont is a really nice little college town just north of I-10, and the Mother Ship is just about opposite, but on the south side of I-10. Call Ed at the factory he lives in Claremont and could tell you some nice places to stay. The south side of I-10 is OK, but not as pretty generally as the towns North of I-10. It¹ll take you about 2 hours to get to anywhere from anywhere in southern California. I don¹t have my maps out, but here¹s the route that I remember from the Mother Ship to Newport Beach: I-10 west from wherever you get on to it several miles, you¹ll exit to the right to I-57 South to I-55 South. You¹ll go through Costa Mesa and get into Newport Beach. Hang a left onto the Pacific Coast Hwy, called PCH out there, AKA Hwy 1. Now you¹re in Newport Beach and heading south to Laguna Beach. There are some BEAUTIFUL places to stay right on the beach in Laguna Beach. Be sure to stroll the boardwalk downtown and north up along the ocean-side trail. Laguna Beach is also loaded with terrific shops. You¹ll love the ocean. If your wife enjoys shopping, ask some local where Fashion Island is. It¹s just south of Newport Beach and north of Laguna Beach.Go to AAA and pick up an Orange County map. Wish I was there Sarah in Carson City, heading over to one of my other favorite cities in the world, SF[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #16 – June 11, 2003, 01:07:49 am Yahoo Message Number: 23222Thanks Sarah, And.... its good to see communicating again with the world. How was the retreat?Mike S.
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Mothership Visit Reply #17 – June 11, 2003, 09:48:47 am Yahoo Message Number: 23226David Envers wrote: (snip) - - - My question is what would be the best place to stay, given that my wife wants to go to the beaches and see the touristQuoteattractions around LA & Orange County? - - - For what it is worth, I agree totally with Sarah about staying away from Long Beach, and heading for Newport or Laguna. They are much more tourist friendly places, and beautiful to boot! If you have time to head South from there you will find too many nice beach haunts to fill a summer.We love Claremont Village as well!have funLinda
Re: Vent insert/plug question Reply #18 – June 11, 2003, 12:27:27 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23231Mike S.Replacing the standard bathroom fan with a FF in the MB model isn't really needed even with a MaxxAir cover on that vent. That is unless you want a less noisy fan that moves more air and has speed options. I've had the standard one since we got our LD in Dec 2000 and the MaxxAir vent cover on it since March of 2001 and it works just fine, as Gus mentioned, even with the cover. The cover does reduce the efficiency but the standard vent covers also reduce that of the FF and both FF and LD recommend not using the standard vent covers with a FF. Replacing it with a FF or a Create-A-Breeze fan from FF would require destroying the existing vent on removal and then you need to get a MaxxAir Fan/Mate cover for it to use in the rain. If you did want to replace it with a quieter fan that moves more air the best and easiest way is to get a Turbo/Maxx fan from MaxxAir. It installs using the existing vent just like a standard MaxxAir cover and will use the existing 12v supply the current fan is connected to. All you need to do is remove the old fan and connect it and mount the control. It costs less than either FF option when you add in the cost of a Fan/Mate cover to either of the FF options. It moves more air than the FF and is even quieter because the fan is on the outside at the outlet of the cover. That also makes it more efficient at exhausting air than either of the FF models with a cover. The warranty is 2yrs the same as the FF. The Create-a-Breeze version is only 1yr. Just like the other MaxxAir covers the brand name/logo is on a clear tape so it can be removed completely when new without using any solvents so you don't have to advertise for them and it looks like it came from LD with it. If I ever do replace our standard fan it would be with a Turbo/Maxx!As for the vent plug, you can either modify it to work or return it to use a different vent insulating option. There are several other products and ways to insulate the vents though most of the other options can't be used as a stadium seat cushion or picnic bench cushion like the 3" foam plugs can.Mike R. 2001 Teal 26.5MB St Cloud, Fl
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