Updated on October 13th, 2020
We originally were not planning on installing a roof vent fan in the van. The reason for this was almost entirely because we wanted to be able to park it in our garage. It only took about 20 minutes in 80-degree weather for us to change our minds. This should come before installing insulation but we managed to make it work anyway.
We recommend before you install the fan that you test it to make sure it works. A jump pack is great for this!
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Tools Used:
Materials Used:
- Fan-Tastic Vent Fan
- Lap Sealant
- Self Drilling/Self Tapping Screws (#6 x 3/4″)
Measuring
We decided to place our vent fan at the back of the van for two reasons. One, it would pull air the greatest distance from front (at the windows) to the back, which would create the most “breeze”. Two, we were trying to make it so that we could still pull the van into the garage to at least work on the engine. Laying on concrete to get under the van is better than gravel.
Using the trim piece that came with the fan we eyeballed where we wanted the fan to be from inside and then drilled at the center point. Prioritize centering it to the front back measurement versus the side to side because you’ll be able to get a better centerline from the roof.
Measure 7″ from the drilled hole to the front and back. Then find the center point from side to side. We used a square to make sure we had 90-degree angles and finally measured corner to corner to make sure it was a square.
Cut the Hole
This was probably the scariest thing we’ve done on this whole build. Cutting a 14″ square hole in the roof of the van. Yikes!
First, drill holes just inside each of the corners to give the jigsaw somewhere to start. Then cut each side of the square. Congratulations you now have a skylight!
Installing the Fan
Tape off the area so that you don’t end up covering the whole roof in lap sealant and then use acetone to clean the surface. You do not need to be stingy with the sealant. Less is not more in this case. Remember, this sealant is going to be the only thing keeping you from waking up in a puddle. Well, unless you make a different kind of puddle.
Place the top piece of the roof vent fan on top of the sealant and then screw in place with self-tapping screws. Wipe away any excess sealant, and remove the masking tape.
You’ll need to have your headliner installed before you can install the interior trim for the roof vent fan. We had to trim it so it sat flush and then screw it in place.
We will cover wiring the fan into your 12-volt system in our electrical post!
Next Step: 12 Volt Van Electrical System
Previous Step: Van Plumbing
For All The Steps Vist Our Van Build Page
Comment below with your questions! We’d love to help!
Thanks for the video and blog article. Two things off the top of my head (so to speak).
1) You might want to add to the article a reminder for people to make sure the opening of the fan cover faces the REAR of their vehicle. One of those oversights someone is bound to make that would really suck after the fan is installed and caulk dries. 🙂 If it prevents one person from doing that…
2) Not sure how close you are to being able to clear your garage entrance, but if it’s only an inch or two too high, and you ever need to work on the rear part of the van in the rain (or want to park the van in the garage in an emergency/for any reason), you might try letting some air out of your rear tires and see if you can get clearance. Don’t want to let out too much air to where you can’t drive (unless you have compressed air/other way to reinflate tires), but if you have the latter, you can reinflate them immediately once the van’s inside if there’s enough ceiling room, so the tires won’t sit too long in a deflated condition (not great for tires). If you need to fly out of town etc, and didn’t want the van outside, that might be an option. Again depending on how close the clearance is. If it’s less than an inch too high (just guessing), and you live close to a gas station w air, you might not even need your own air. Just an idea if that would help!!
Hello! You are right! I will update the post to remind people to face it the correct way! We unfortunately were more than an inch or two from clearance but we actually just sold that house and are full time nomads so it doesn’t matter anymore anyway 😁
PS. Is there a reason lap sealant is especially recommended over 100% waterproof silicone? Thanks again… getting ready to do this soon myself.
We used lap sealant because it was what the manual recommended but it also self levels really nicely. You could certainly use something like 3m 5200. Happy building!
Thank you for the fan information..can you share what type of headliner you installed? I like how it looks
Jeri