Roof Vent Replacement

[bunnynogood]

Hi all..

A question about modern roof vents. I am replacing the roof vent on my '87 Autohomes, the smoked crystal perspex bits have cracked with age and UV and are a leak waiting to happen. On removal the roof aperture exposed is 360 x 360. All the new Fiamma stuff in the right general size area starts with an aperture of 390 x 390. I'm not overly keen to have to cut a larger hole in the roof as this means a whole load of other messing with the internal supporting timber frame structure etc.

Does anyone have any leads to a modern replacement that will drop in without roof mods ?

If the game is up and I do need to get out the saw, any leads to the most stylish aerodynamic replacement much appreciated. The Fiamma kit is a bit square and chunky for my liking, but caravan vent designers seem to be a very conservative lot

Having said that, this does look quite good http://www.campervanaccessories.co.uk/c ... -1158.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Cheers !

Dave V

[Garry Bray]

We needed to replace ours after it blew off in cornwall last year.
We tried all sorts to find a replacement of the same size but in the end took it to AIRFIX in Wallington Surrey and had a slightly larger one fitted.
Ours has a smoked cover hasnt leaked and looks great.
Also ours is a fiamma cover.

[jake1953]

I had to replace mine but couldn't find one to fit the 360 x 360 hole. Had to cut to 39o x 390 for the new fiamma vent. Mine was off the vehicle though and is still to be trimmed

[chippieshaun]

Had the same problem on my autohomes and fitted a 40 by 40.
Really wasn't much of a problem......Just altered the frame battens and cut out with a jigsaw.
Dont think you have much choice , according to all the digging around i did.

[devonwedge]

Hi, I have the same problem with my 1982 Devon. With a lot of searching I found this make of rooflight which is 360 x 360 and looks to be the correct fit for my roof. A little bit more expensive but hopefully better if direct fit! I've not ordered one yet but will be soon.

http://www.caravantech-shop.co.uk/produ ... -and-vents" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ELIXIR ROOFLIGHT 360 X 360

[bunnynogood]

Thanks for the replies folks..

I think I'm getting the saw out as this increases the choice available from the 400 x 400 units.

Dave

[samk]

i have an autohomes Kamper pop top - might be replacing it fairly soon so my original roof vent will be available -- not sure if its the same as yours though

[jason k]

try charles and son in poole, they bought up all the spares when autohomes went breasticles up

[bunnynogood]

Cheers both. Going down the 'new and bigger' route now though. Found something from MPK properly domed and more aerodynamic / less 'turret' than the original.

Thanks for the Charles and Son link. Useful if they have parts for other OE Autohomes bits.

[Cruz]

Fit it with sikaflex too

[bunnynogood]

Fit it with sikaflex too

Oh yes, weapon of choice. Decks of ocean liners sealed with that apparently. Also mends skateboard shoes pretty well.

[nrxx]

Hi, I replaced my crackered old pop up vent with one of these wind up jobbies. Easy job using hacksaw blade, file and Sikaflex. Much better in my opinion and they don't pop up and break at speed! Good service from these people too.
Good luck.
Nick

[nrxx]

Just realised I didn't put the link in!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fiamma-Vent-28-Ro ... 518faf9d4a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bunnynogood]

Hmm.. OK, so are we saying that a popup vent. I had my eye on one of these..

http://www.campervanaccessories.co.uk/c ... -1159.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

.. is likely to pop up unwanted, at speed and thus destroy itself pronto. Whereas a wind-up mechanism as per Fiamma is immune from such trouble ?

One of my requirements of new vent was lower profile and more curved. The old Fiamma vent was a bit of an ugly turret in some respects. I see the new Fiamma vents are a bit more more curved and also have a vent spoiler option now. Might be able to use the spoiler with other makes..

Cost is less of an issue, as it needs doing right.

[nrxx]

Basically yes! Although it might just be me. I've had two pop-ups go on different vehicles at speed, never lost one but the plastc round the pivots goes and they keep popping up while you're driving, then they get progessively worse. Personally I think theyre fine for caravans and type 2s but not up tp modern motorway speeds.

That said, there are plenty of people who ndon't have a problem and I do fully understand vyour desire to keep low, I hated gaining 20mm. If you've caravan or motorhome dealers locally go and cjheck both types out.

Good luck

Nick