Top 5 Fans for Optimal Comfort During Your 2024 Adventures
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Living in a camper van full-time can be quite the experience, and having the right setup makes all the difference. One of the top items for those hitting the road is a good roof vent fan to keep you cool on hot days and circulate cool air throughout your vehicle.
With so many roof vent fans on the market, narrowing down which is best for your camper van can be hard. That’s where we come in! This article has compiled a list of our top 5 12-volt fans perfect for knocking out humidity and floating dust and keeping you nice and breezy as you travel across the country in your home on wheels.
Why Are Roof Vent Fans So Important?
Exploring the great outdoors by living in a camper van is an experience that more and more people want to try. Although you can quickly get immersed in humidity or stale air without proper ventilation, fans can help circulate the fresh air throughout your space by pulling air in through open windows, and the roof vent fan will suck air back out.
Instead of air conditioning, good quality fans allow you to maintain a comfortable temperature even on hotter days outdoors by quickly moving cold air through the space. As an added bonus, fans also come in handy for cooking, as they provide enough of a breeze so you and your guests don’t receive too much smoke or heat.
That’s why when venturing out in a van, having a dedicated van roof vent fan or fans should be at the top of any van lover’s conversion list!
What Makes a Fan a Top 5 Contender?
Being a top 5 contender for the best roof vents has its requirements, and it isn’t something any ordinary fan can achieve. A fan has to exhaust air efficiently while also being quiet, with multiple fan speeds and an exterior lid that can remain open while it is raining.
As a result, it may not just be one particular design or model that stands out. It all comes down to how well they circulate air, how quiet they are during operation, and the range of available speeds.
Ultimately, these fans must get you through hot summers without making your home sound like an improvised runway! And remove excess moisture from within your van, RV, or even your schoolie.
Top 5 Roof Vent Fans
MaxxAir 7500k ($328)
MaxxAir’s Fan 7500k is part of the MaxxFan Deluxe lineup and has gained popularity, providing a powerful solution to the common problem of air circulation in van conversions. The fan offers a 7500K CFM power rating to keep van dwellers cool during even the hottest weather conditions.
The built-in rain cover will also dry the interior during those rainy days. However, this powerful fan also comes with some drawbacks. It runs loudly at high speeds, as any of these fans will do. Furthermore, its high ventilation capacity can reduce efficiency because of the additional drag it causes on your battery bank.
One must weigh these pros and cons carefully before deciding if MaxxAir’s Fan 7500k suits their camper van conversion needs.
Specs:
- Cutout Dimensions: 14 in x 14 in
- Thermostat: Yes
- Exhaust/Intake: Exhaust and Intake
- # of Fan Speeds: 10
- Rain Vent Cover: Yes
- Rain Sensor: No
- Electric Lid Opening: Yes
- Remote Control: Yes
Our Take
This unit has it all, no complaints from us. With the ten fan speeds, you have many options, but you don’t need all of them. The higher speeds are great for moving air quickly, but at the cost of noise levels, as will all these fans. Lower speeds get the job done and very quietly.
The built-in thermostat is a great feature if you have animals in the van and the remote for the evenings when, let’s face it, sometimes you do not want to get out of bed. With this many pros, it is hard to consider another type of fan for your van or RV roof vents.
MaxxAir 6200k ($296)
The MaxxAir 6200k has made camper vans more comfortable. It is an upgraded, fan-forced ventilation fan that offers a high-powered motor and vortex action to draw in the fresh air and exhaust stale, stuffy air quickly and efficiently.
This fan protects you while preventing mother nature’s rain from entering their van by closing suitable off when unused. As much as van dwellers love it, they should also be aware of some drawbacks, such as the loud noise level caused by the powerful motor.
Additionally, this fan might need a separate power supply (other than the vehicle battery) to work optimally because it is power-hungry – something van-lifers should keep in mind when outfitting their vehicle.
In any case, the MaxxAir 6200k offers van dwellers improved ventilation, but care should be taken to ensure you can handle its cons before purchasing one for your camper van home away from home.
Specs:
- Cutout Dimensions: 14 in x 14 in
- Thermostat: No
- Exhaust/Intake: Exhaust and Intake
- # of Fan Speeds: 10
- Rain Cover: Yes
- Rain Sensor: No
- Electric Lid Opening: Yes
- Remote Control: No
Our Take
This is the little brother/sister of the 7500k, all the power and functions. If you do not want a thermostat or a remote-controlled fan, then don’t spend your extra dollars on the 7500 and go with this little dandy, the 6200k
Dometic Fan-Tastic 1250 ($260)
The Dometic Fan Tastic Vent 1250 is an attractive option for van lifers and campers looking to keep air circulating in the summer months. This model has many positive features, including reversible airflow to assist with temperature control, variable fan speeds, and a built-in thermostat that can be adjusted to precise levels.
It also boasts several operating modes, allowing users to choose what temperature inside to maintain during hot days or cold nights. Although the unit offers many advantages, camper van enthusiasts should note that this model operates at a higher volume than some comparable models, leading to potential noise issues – particularly if you plan on staying in the same spot for days or weeks.
If its complex electronic components were to malfunction, costly repairs could arise. The Dometic Fantastic fan 1250 offers camper vans valuable features and functionality but should be weighed carefully against its downsides before investing.
Specs:
- Cutout Dimensions: 14 in x 14 in
- Thermostat: Yes
- Exhaust/Intake: Exhaust and Intake
- # of Fan Speeds: 3
- Rain Vent Cover: Yes
- Rain Sensor: Yes
- Electric Lid Opening: No
- Remote Control: No
Our Take
A wonderful fan for the price. Comes with many of the options higher units come with, except the automatic lid and remote. Still, for the money, it is a great middle-of-the-road option.
Dometic Fan-Tastic 7350 ($373)
The Dometic Fan Tastic Vent 7350 fan has a lot of appealing benefits for camper vans. It has three speeds that can be controlled with an included remote control and its built-in rain sensor, so one can easily adjust it to their desired temperature.
Additionally, its multiple adjustable air vanes make it possible to direct air flow anywhere in the vehicle they want. The vanes are invisible when at rest, providing a sleek and classy look to the van’s interior. On the downside, extra installation time is required for camper van conversion to get the most out of this fan compared to some standard fans since it needs to be properly adjusted first.
Furthermore, its lifespan may be shorter if used frequently than a regular fan due to increased wear and tear on its components. Nevertheless, after carefully considering its pros and cons, van dwellers may find that this fan can provide them with their desired comfort level while in transit or at rest.
Specs:
- Cutout Dimensions: 14 in x 14 in
- Thermostat: Yes
- Exhaust/Intake: Exhaust and Intake
- # of Fan Speeds: 14
- Rain Cover: Yes
- Rain Sensor: Yes
- Electric Lid Opening: Yes
- Remote Control: Yes
Our Take
This Dometic fan tastic fan has more bells and whistles than anyone would need. However, it gives you a lot of operational controls, but at a cost, since it is the most expensive one on our list. Still, it is a great unit and deserves to be in the top 5.
MaxxAir 4301k ($171)
The MaxxAir 4301k is a perfect fit for those who need to cool down quickly. It has many pros and cons, but it could be worth the investment for those looking for a fan that can handle even the harshest weather. The 4301k has a 20% higher air flow rate than other fans, and it can be opened or closed with the built-in rain shield.
This keeps your interior safe when it starts raining while they are sleeping. The van fan also has adjustable speed settings, so you have complete control over the environment in your van. Its lightweight design allows easy installation as well on any roof width.
On the downside, given its impressive airflow rate, it is relatively noisy, so this might be an issue at night or if you want to keep its noise levels low while driving. Additionally, if not installed properly and securely, vibration can occur during road trips, which may be disruptive for some individuals.
Specs:
- Cutout Dimensions: 14 in x 14 in
- Thermostat: No
- Exhaust/Intake: Exhaust only
- # of Fan Speeds: 4
- Rain Cover: Yes
- Rain Sensor: No
- Electric Lid Opening: No
- Remote Control: No
Our Take
This unit is a great base model for MaxxAir if you are constrained with a budget. It’ll exhaust the air out of your space in a hurry. Designed for thinner ceilings as well. It also makes a great secondary van or RV roof vent fan.
MaxxAir Dome 3812B ($95)
Tackle ventilation and moisture control needs in small areas with MaxxAir Dome’s innovative 6″ exhaust-only fan! It’s designed to fit 1″ roof thicknesses. No electric opener here; it has a manual lift lid for secure locking via single-hand push button operation.
You can choose from either white or black color options, plus it offers removable screens for hassle-free cleaning along with an included protective fan guard that serves as a rain shield and prevents accidental contact with the blades.
If you are looking for LED lights on your fan, there is a Plus model available for the Dome.
Specs:
- Cutout Dimensions: 6.25 in
- Thermostat: No
- Exhaust/Intake: Exhaust only
- # of Fan Speeds: 1
- Rain Cover: Yes
- Rain Sensor: No
- Electric Lid Opening: No
- Remote Control: No
Our Take
This is a great little fan for exhausting the interior of your space. If you don’t have too much space, the better. We ended up installing one of these in our 170 extended. It still gets the job done; it just takes a little longer. It is not too noisy and super easy to operate and install.
For thicker ceilings, I’d recommend opting for the optional 6” sleeve and cutting it down as needed. The only downside to this little thing is the fan’s speed options. There is only one.
Are There Other Types of Fans?
Sure, there are. Having the right fan for your van is essential when staying cool on the road. Every fan can be used differently, so finding the perfect fit is important. There’s something for everyone, from basic box fans to intricate roof-mounted fans.
Box fans or small circular fans are great for those on a budget. Most feature multiple speeds and adjustable heads, allowing you to direct air where you need it most. One major downside to box fans is the space they take up or the type of power they’ll need to operate.
Meanwhile, roof-mounted fans offer true climate control with various adjustable settings and directional output. Whichever design you choose, you’ll have what you need for a comfortable ride when life on the open road calls.
What Fan is the Best for Your Camper Van?
The MaxxAir 7500K has all the features and comes out on top of other roof vent fans, making it the perfect choice for making their space cooler and more comfortable. It features a unique intake and exhaust system, allowing optimal air circulation around the room.
On top of that, it’s equipped with a built-in thermostat that ensures your desired temperature inside is maintained throughout the day. It has ten different speed settings and even a remote to conveniently adjust the settings while lounging on your settee or bed. An optional wall controller is also available to purchase separately to get the most out of this fan.
With its impressive performance, user-friendly design, and included accessories, it’s no surprise why the MaxxAir Fan 7500K is regarded as one of the best choices on the market today.
Conclusion
We’ve seen how important a fan is and the different models available. Each has pros and cons, so it’s important to consider which option will work best for you, depending on your needs, preferences, and budget.
With a properly sized battery bank backed up with solar panels, you will keep your van cool and humidity free 24 hours a day. So, in your DIY camper van conversion, install a roof vent fan, and you’ll be happy you did.
See you out on the road!
